As part of Big.U’s series on global practices in sustainable development, we spoke with Linda McMahon, CEO at the Dallas Economic Development Corporation (Dallas EDC). She shared her perspective on how Dallas became one of the fastest-growing economic hubs in the United States—and what Ukrainian cities can learn from this journey.
The Secret Behind Dallas’s Rapid Economic Growth
According to McMahon, the city’s long-term success is rooted in a highly diversified economy built through purposeful collaboration across public and private sectors.
“We have consistently avoided reliance on any single industry, building multiple economic pillars—from fintech and life sciences to manufacturing and logistics. This ensures stability and attracts a wide range of investment. It’s a model highly relevant for Ukraine,” McMahon notes.
Texas’s overall business environment further accelerates this growth:
no personal income tax, low corporate taxes, light regulation, and a fast-growing skilled workforce.
A Public–Private Partnership Model That Delivers for Communities
Dallas EDC serves as a nexus connecting the city administration, large corporations, and anchor community institutions.
The goal is not only to attract investment but also to ensure that every major project creates value for local residents and small businesses.
“Our model aligns city leadership, corporate strategy, and community anchors. We bring capital and strategy together to ensure that large-scale investments translate into real opportunities for people,” McMahon explains.
This is what creates inclusive growth—a core principle of sustainable development.
Innovation + Inclusivity: The Formula Behind Sustainable Cities
Innovation has its greatest impact when grounded in inclusivity.
For Dallas, this means ensuring that technological progress and economic opportunities are shared broadly across the community.
Key lessons for Ukrainian cities:
- Build your economy around unique local assets—talent, geography, industry strengths.
- Embed sustainability and social equity into your investment proposition.
- Engage the private sector as a co-creator of development, not just an investor.
This leads to resilient, long-term growth.
Global Cooperation as a Strategic Advantage
Dallas is one of the most internationally connected cities in the U.S. Its strategic location and world-class infrastructure—especially Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport—make it a magnet for global companies.
“Global cooperation is not just important—it is essential. It gives access to capital, innovation, and talent,” McMahon stresses.
For Ukraine, this means:
- building clear industry specializations targeted at international partners;
- being proactive in global communication;
- focusing on sectors with strong demand in the U.S.:
advanced manufacturing, IT, engineering services, biotechnology.
What Inspires McMahon—and What’s Next for Dallas
Linda is driven by the opportunity to empower communities with untapped potential and to show that economic growth and social equity can advance together.
Over the next decade, Dallas aims to strengthen its position as a global hub for:
- biotechnology,
- financial services,
- high-tech manufacturing.
International partnerships will play a central role in this trajectory.
Dallas’s experience shows that territories thrive when business, government, and communities work as an integrated system. This aligns closely with Big.U’s mission to help Ukrainian communities build systemic, inclusive, and globally connected development strategies.
Big.U will continue to highlight the most effective global approaches to local economic development.
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