Money magazine has named the City of McKinney the Best Place to Live in America. This designation will help recruit more businesses to the city and only adds to the benefits of doing business in McKinney. Data such as affordable homes, excellent schools and strong economies were taken into account to narrow the list from 781 cities nationwide to just 50. Along with the data, McKinney came out on top due to intangible elements like a sense of community. For employers, that means they can offer employees the opportunity to call the #1 Best Place to Live in the country home.

“McKinney has access to a tremendous highly skilled and educated workforce and our recognition as the Best Place to Live in America by Money Magazine further supports any workforce needs employers may have by making McKinney a very easy place to recruit talent to relocate to,” said Jim Wehmeier, President – CEO of McKinney Economic Development Corporation. “That on top of our business environment and focus on quality development makes McKinney the best place to do business.”

According to the article, McKinney is a hotbed for growth-industry jobs. McKinney’s highly skilled and well-educated workforce boasts 92 percent of residents over 25 with a high school diploma, and 47 percent of the same group with a bachelor’s degree. Companies can offer potential and current employees the opportunity to live in a community with highly regarded schools and competitive housing prices as well as community amenities like nationally regarded parks and facilities. All this is within a short drive to DFW International Airport, Dallas Love Field or anywhere else in North Texas.

The labor force of Collin County is 447,768, and McKinney employers have direct access to the Dallas-Fort Worth labor force of more than 3.3 million. The McKinney Economic Development Corporation provides competitive benefits to qualifying companies relocating to or expanding in McKinney, like assistance with relocation, expansion, infrastructure or site development needs. Companies in McKinney can also take advantage of no personal or corporate income tax and specialized training for local employers at Collin College. The #1 designation by Money Magazine adds to the already numerous benefits of doing business in McKinney, particularly for companies looking to relocate to a community that entices employees to move with them.

From Fortune 500 companies to start-up businesses, McKinney has proven to be a city where businesses grow and succeed. McKinney is home to diverse companies ranging from aviation to emerging technology to corporate headquarters. Several high-profile companies have made recent announcements in McKinney: Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems relocated their corporate headquarters to McKinney in May 2013; UPS opened a new distribution facility; Encore Wire Corporation expanded an aluminum wire plant. Additionally, a Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center will open in February.

“Encore Wire has been a part of the McKinney community for 25 years,” said Daniel Jones, President and CEO of Encore Wire Corporation. “Since 1989, we have seen McKinney develop and offer an outstanding quality of life to its citizens. We are proud to have our single-location campus in McKinney and to look to our community first, as we continue to grow and employ more people.”

McKinney is not only a great place for well-established major corporations but also for entrepreneurs and startups. The city’s Emerging Technology program was created in 2009 with the intent of assisting startup companies. The MEDC offers incentives in the form of rent reimbursements to high tech startup companies that are in the process of growing.

“McKinney is a city that really fosters creativity and supports entrepreneurism,” said Paul Bettner, founder and CEO of McKinney-based Playful Corp. and co-creator of the popular game Words with Friends. “McKinney is truly a unique place to live, work and own a business. MEDC helps new and existing businesses grow, providing support and educational opportunities for emerging technologies and supporting start-up programs. Not many cities offer that.”

To learn more about doing business in McKinney, visit www.mckinneyedc.com.