Arlington Mayor Jim Ross shared exciting highlights about Arlington’s future at The Greater Arlington Chamber’s 19th Annual State of the City, presented by Arlington Highlands.
“One thing that makes Arlington special is how we all come together,” Michael Jacobson, President & CEO of the Chamber said. “The Chamber’s mission is ‘Together, We Champion Economic and Community Prosperity,’ and today is a chance for us to all come together, build relationships and learn about everything that’s happened in Arlington and what’s to come for our great city.”
In his address, Ross described key components of what will make tomorrow bright for the greater Arlington community.
“One of the things we really want to focus on today is what the future holds for us,” he said. “What does our future Arlington look like in five, ten, twenty years from now? We’re the American Dream City, so I’m asking you all to dream with me today. I want you to imagine what our city’s going to look like in the future.”
Tomorrow’s Arlington brings exciting new events, placing the Dream City on the world’s stage.
In 2026, Arlington will host nine FIFA World Cup games, more than any other host city in North America.
“There’s a reason that we get more games than anybody else; that’s because we’re better. I’m biased, but we are,” Ross said. “These games put Arlington on the world stage. Let me tell you, the whole world will know by the time we’re done that these World Cup games were played here in Arlington, Texas.”
The Grand Prix of Arlington will take over the streets of Arlington in 2026.
“Talk about putting us on a world stage,” Ross said. “Indy Car will be racing a 2.73 mile track around AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field. What a backdrop with all of our incredible stadiums.”
The race takes place when the Rangers and Cowboys are not playing, helping fill that gap and bring people to Arlington.
The Texas Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11 is a sunset parade honoring veterans, followed by a concert at Texas Live! and a drone show by Sky Elements, a Golden Buzzer recipient from America’s Got Talent.
“I would say that the mark of a true community is one that takes care of those who have taken good care of us,” Ross said. “I am proud to say that in Arlington, we are veteran proud. We love the men and women who have served this country.”
New ways to travel to Arlington and through Arlington are coming – a high speed rail connecting Downtown Dallas to the Arlington Entertainment District to Downtown Fort Worth; a gondola system moving people above the traffic throughout the Entertainment District above the traffic; and a new air taxi system traveling from the Arlington airport to the Entertainment District.
In Arlington’s Tomorrow, citizens and tourists alike will see several redeveloped areas and new buildings, including the completion and opening of The National Medal of Honor Museum, the transformation of the 311-room Sheraton Hotel into an upscale 500-room Loews Hotel, the redevelopment of Main Street in Downtown, and more. New headquarters committed to calling Arlington their homebase will bring thousands of jobs to residents in the next several years, including companies like E-Space, Acciona, Great American Media, Ikon Technologies, Mozee and Salcomp.
“This isn’t just a dream; this is reality,” Ross said. “What you’ve seen is already in the pipeline. The State of the City today is great. The State of the City tomorrow is off the hook – wonderful. We are laying the foundation today as Tom Vandergriff did 52 years ago. We’re doing the same type of foundation building to prepare the city for the future.”
During his address, Ross awarded City Manager Trey Yelverton the Mayor’s American Dream Award, recognizing him for his incredible work for the city. Ross also highlighted significant achievements and success Arlington had in the last year, including Texas Rangers World Series Championship, Loews Arlington Hotel and Convention Center opening, Caravan Court Hotel groundbreaking, 100 years of Arlington Parks, All Star Legacy Park and Corey Seager Batting Cages, MLB All Star Week and All Star Game, fixed-based operations at Arlington Municipal Airport and so much more.
The Chamber presented the 2024 Small Business of the Year Awards, sponsored by UTA College of Business, to recipients on stage.
Overall Small Business of the Year: Prince Lebanese Grill
For-profit: Burnett’s Staffing
Nonprofit: Arlington Museum of Art
Veteran-Owned: JAWS Junk and Waste Removal
Woman-Owned: Inspirations Fork & Table
Minority-Owned: Golf Center of Arlington
Learn more about this year’s incredible recipients HERE. Watch Ross’s entire address HERE.
A special thank you to our sponsors!
Presenting: Arlington Highlands
Small Business of the Year Awards Sponsor: UTA College of Business
Platinum: Ikon Technologies, JPMorgan Chase Bank, Dex Imaging
Gold: Atmos Energy, Arlington Economic Development Corporation, Baylor Scott and White Orthopedic and Spine Hospital at Arlington, Candlelite Inn, Curnutt & Hafer, L.L.P., Frost Bank, Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, L.L.P., Medical City Arlington, PSK LLP, Republic Services, Tarrant County College – Southeast Campus, Texas Health Resources, Texas Rangers Baseball, The Nehemiah Company, The University of Texas at Arlington
