A leader in Plano\u2019s business community is celebrating the news that communications giant AT&T is relocating its global headquarters from Dallas in the next three years.<\/p>\n
Plano Chamber of Commerce CEO Kelle Marsalis called the move exciting, but not necessarily surprising, because she\u2019d heard rumors AT&T was seeking to move its headquarters.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt really solidifies Plano’s place and reputation as the economic engine that we are for North Texas,\u201d Marsalis said.<\/p>\n
She said AT&T would join a stable of large corporate campuses \u201cthat play very well with our small business and middle market communities as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
In an email to staff Monday morning, AT&T CEO John Stankey said the company will move to a 54-acre campus as early as 2028.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis location will provide us with the necessary room to cost effectively consolidate all Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex administrative space, including our three largest locations in Central Dallas, Plano and Irving, and create a corporate campus designed for collaboration, innovation and engagement,\u201d the email, shared with KERA, read.<\/p>\n
It comes after months of speculation over AT&T\u2019s future in Dallas. The company employs about 10,000 people in the city.<\/p>\n
In response to the news, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said in a statement that the city\u2019s \u201cunique economic strengths are what attracted AT&T to our urban core in 2008,\u201d but although Dallas worked to retain AT&T, \u201cit became clear that its current leaders preferred a large horizontal, suburban-style campus rather than the skyscrapers that define our city center.<\/p>\n
Johnson and City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert both highlighted Dallas\u2019 business-friendly culture.<\/p>\n
\u201cDallas is a great city for business, and we have worked tirelessly, strategically, and collaboratively to keep the company in our city limits,\u201d Bizor Tolbert said in a statement. \u201cAT&T\u2019s transition will be gradual, and the company will remain part of our city\u2019s fabric in the years ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bill Zeeble is KERA\u2019s education reporter. Got a tip? Email Bill atbzeeble@kera.org<\/a>. You can follow him on X @bzeeble<\/a>.<\/p>\n KERA News is made possible through the generosity of our members. If you find this reporting valuable, consider making a tax-deductible gift today<\/a>. Thank you.<\/p>\n