Ron Jensen, Mayor, City of Grand Prairie

In an interview with Invest:, Grand Prairie Mayor Ron Jensen highlighted the city’s unique blend of a big-city atmosphere with a small-town feel, emphasizing its strategic location between Dallas and Fort Worth. He discussed the significant economic impact of new developments like Bass Pro Shops and Topgolf, which have boosted employment and sales tax revenue. 

What makes Grand Prairie stand out as a unique city in Texas?

We feel like we’re a big city with a small-town feel. Grand Prairie is the 17th largest city in Texas, with a little more than 200,000 residents. Our location is a major factor in our uniqueness. We’re situated right between Dallas and Fort Worth, next to Arlington. From my office, I can see AT&T Stadium. The opening of State Highway 161, also known as the George Bush Turnpike, has opened a lot of land for development, which is now bustling with activity.

Recently, we opened Bass Pro Shops, Andretti Indoor Karting and Games, and announced that Topgolf will be joining them. These additions complement our existing attractions like Living Spaces, IKEA, Main Event, Chicken N Pickle, Bolder Adventures and Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark. All these are in the Epic Central area on Highway 161. This week, we also announced that BJ’s Wholesale Club, a competitor to Costco and Sam’s Club, will be coming to the North Texas region, right next to Topgolf. We’re attracting regional draws and enjoying significant growth.

How are these new developments expected to impact the local economy and job market?

These developments will have a significant impact on our local economy and job market. As Will mentioned Major League Cricket, which is happening now. Each major development, like Bass Pro Shops and Andretti, employs about 200 people. Beyond employment, the sales tax generated is substantial. Unlike school districts, cities derive about 25% of their total budget from sales tax revenue. So, increasing employment and sales tax revenue is a huge plus for us. We anticipate continued growth in our sales tax base.

How would you describe the labor pool, and what workforce development initiatives are in place?

The city is actively working on developing a diverse range of small businesses. Beyond the 200 employees at places like Andretti and Bass Pro Shops, we focus on educating young business owners of all ethnicities on how to do business with the city and in general. We conduct workshops on starting a business, understanding regulations, and finding financing. Our goal on Main Street is to have incubators and storefronts for small-business owners, moving them from selling online to having a physical presence in our city. We’re working hard to support and grow our local businesses.

What are the city’s plans to manage growth and maintain high living standards?

We have a five-year plan that we update annually based on demographic data and population growth. This ensures we have enough resources, like water and utility lines, to meet our needs. We coordinate with Oncor Electric and Atmos Energy to ensure we have adequate power and gas services. Our focus is on maintaining infrastructure, such as streets and water lines. Recently, we had to purchase more water from Dallas, as we get nearly all our water from them. We also plan our capital improvements and bonding capacity to stay ahead of growth.

We have more retail and entertainment projects that I’ll be announcing soon. We have a unique mix of attractions like Bass Pro Shops, Andretti Indoor Karting, IKEA, and Topgolf, all in proximity to each other. No other city in Texas offers this combination.

How are you managing housing affordability challenges?

Our city council has identified 10 top priorities, one of which is attainable housing. We recently worked with Dallas County to purchase and demolish a long-vacant property, where we plan to build about 13 attainable homes. We’ve also partnered with apartment complexes to provide workforce housing at reduced rates. Additionally, we are developing attainable homes in south Grand Prairie along Highway 287, and we are focusing on building second- and third-generation homes, so residents don’t have to move out of the city. In one of our oldest neighborhoods, we’re infusing new housing by purchasing and redeveloping lots. This long-term investment aims to create more attainable housing in collaboration with builders and possibly Dallas County.

How are you improving public safety, emergency services, and other essential services?

Grand Prairie is one of the safest cities in Texas, ranking fourth among cities with more than 100,000 residents. We’ve reduced our crime rate year after year. We’re currently maintaining our police force at the optimal level, with a strong emphasis on recruitment. Our lateral transfer policy has been successful, attracting officers from other areas like Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Our fire department is also a priority. We have an ISO rating of 1, the highest possible, which translates to lower insurance rates for our citizens. We recently maintained this rating after a reevaluation. By ensuring competitive pay and benefits, we retain top talent in both our police and fire departments, keeping our city safe and well-protected.

How are you collaborating with neighboring cities, counties, and state and federal entities to advance mutual interests?

We have strong relationships with Dallas and Tarrant Counties, as well as neighboring cities like Arlington and Mansfield. While we compete for developments, we collaborate on mutual aid policies and infrastructure projects. For example, we work with the county and state to secure funding for parks and transportation projects.

One such collaboration is with Dallas County and the city of Dallas on Camp Wisdom Road, which runs through our city into Dallas. These partnerships help us access resources and funding, enhancing our infrastructure and community services.

What are your top priorities for the city over the next two to three years? 

Our top priorities include focusing on attainable housing to meet growing demand. We are also looking to expand our tax base, particularly in the restaurant sector. For example, we recently announced the addition of a Black Bear Diner.

Addressing floodplain areas is another priority. We conducted a hydrology study, which showed challenges in reclaiming certain areas, but we remain committed to finding solutions. Our focus will always be on providing top-notch fire and police protection, but we also aim to maintain excellent libraries and parks. Ultimately, we strive to meet our citizens’ needs and enhance the quality of life in Grand Prairie.