West Dallas Chamber of Commerce to Honor Economic 'Game-Changers'

DALLAS, TX — On Sept. 14, the all-volunteer West Dallas Chamber of Commerce will honor two projects destined to help transform the economic future of West Dallas. During its annual Focus on the Future luncheon, chamber volunteers will pay tribute to:

• WEST DALLAS INVESTMENTS and its TRINITY GROVES development, a restaurant and entertainment district emerging from warehouses at the western end of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge.
      
• THE SCHOOL ZONE, a partnership between Dallas ISD, SMU's Center on Communities and Education and 20 non-profit organizations ... with the goal of ensuring that all West Dallas students graduate college-ready from high school.

West Dallas Investments is a partnership between restaurateur Phil Romano, Stuart Fitts and Butch McGregor. Their 15-acre Trinity Groves development will debut more than a dozen restaurants and retailers, including a restaurant incubator.

"We want to recognize West Dallas Investments' innovative leadership in creating an entrepreneurial business climate," said chamber board chairman Randall White. "Trinity Groves will positively redefine West Dallas."

Modeled after the acclaimed Harlem Children's Zone, The School Zone recently won the support of the new Dallas ISD superintendent, Mike Miles, and the district's trustees. They will work with Southern Methodist University and the community on this innovative education model.

"An improved education system will improve our community's quality of life, make West Dallas more attractive for residential development, and help create a better-educated and skilled workforce," added White.

Proceeds from Focus on the Future will benefit a new El Centro College West Campus scholarship program that will be unveiled at the luncheon.

The luncheon will be held on Friday, Sept. 14, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Trinity Groves' new culinary incubator located at 3015 Gulden. The guest speaker will be Anil Kumar, senior economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.

Sponsored by Texas Capital Bank, table and ticket information is online at www.westdallaschamber.com.

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