GOOD BUSINESS

Back to School Edition 2016

BlueRibbonNews.com

Internships and job shadowing offer an 
up-close look at the real world workplace 
and provide learning opportunities with 
real work experience.

The Rockwall Economic Development 
Corporation was created 20 years ago 
to broaden and diversify the tax base by 
bringing industry to Rockwall. The success 
of the REDC is evident in the businesses 
that fill Rockwall Technology Park and 
occupy many acres along the railway on 
Justin Road. These industries have added 
over a billion dollars to the Rockwall tax 
base and have created thousands of jobs.  

Rockwall is positioned as the premiere place 
for corporate industry, and the REDC is the 
driving force behind economic growth in 
Rockwall. While REDC works to attract 
corporate relocations as well as expand 
existing business, talented workforce with 
the right skillset is always a challenge.

“There are many considerations given 
to a city and state when a large industry 
explores the option to move or expand their 
organization. One of the most important 
things to them is the talent and availability 
of a workforce. REDC is bringing many 
large corporations to Rockwall that are 
providing hundreds of new jobs in our 
community,” said Sheri Franza, REDC 
president and CEO. “It is critical that we 
prepare our upcoming workforce so they 
are able to step into jobs upon graduation 
from high school or college. REDC is 
proud to provide internship opportunities 
for our residents and create a pathway 
to a well-paid career for them.”

The REDC and many Rockwall industries 
provide internships to high school and 
college students. REDC internships are 
educational, inspirational, and purposeful. 

Participants gain valuable experience 
through active participation in real job 
experiences. It gives them an opportunity 
to be responsible for individual projects, 
understand strategic planning and 
budgeting, attend weekly staff meetings, 
and understand how to work with other 
professionals. Collectively, these elements 
add to the value of an internship which 
better position the individual to land that 
once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity.

“Internships are a win-win for companies 
and students,” said Nora Harding, Human 
Resources Director at Special Products & 
Manufacturing, Inc. “It allows us to connect 
and build relationships with students while 
they are in their college and high school 
vocations. In addition, it helps to build a 
strong pool of good candidates who have 
worked with us and already know SPM 
and our associates.” 

Former REDC intern Shelby Coleman said, 
“My internship at the REDC has proven to 
be invaluable as I’ve developed my career 
in marketing over the past three years in 
Rockwall. Working with the REDC set 
me up for success by giving me practical 
work experience as I pursued my career 
in advertising after graduating from the 
University of Texas. The intern position 
expanded my network in ways that are 
still valuable today.”

Preparing Rockwall’s workforce for the 
abundant job opportunities is paramount to 
the REDC. When you consider your next 
hire, don’t overlook an intern.  

By Sheri Franza, 
Rockwall EDC President & CEO. 

“Year-over-year home sales this summer 
and the current low inventory of homes 
available to purchase indicate that now is 
an ideal time to list a Rockwall-area home 
for sale,” says Sylvia Sotelo Kidd, sales 
manager of the Rockwall/Heath/Lake Ray 
Hubbard Office of Ebby Halliday Realtors. 
“The latest numbers from North Texas 
Real Estate Information Systems offer 
a very compelling case for sellers who 
would like to get a head start on their 
potential competition.”

A few of the highlights from the NTREIS 
numbers for Rockwall County for June 
2016 vs. June 2015:  

   
• The number of homes for sale was

up 0.2 percent.

• The average list price rose

10 percent to $350,895.

• The average days on market was

down 30.8 percent to 45 days.

• The average sales price rose

13.8 percent to $306,940.

“These numbers make it clear that we’re 
experiencing the ideal climate in which 
to list a Rockwall-area property for sale,” 
Sotelo Kidd says. 

Contact an Ebby Rockwall Associate to learn 
more about the real estate market in your 
neighborhood and to find out what your home 
is worth in today’s fast-paced market. For more 
information on Ebby’s Rockwall/Heath/Lake Ray 
Hubbard Office, its Associates and listings,  
call 972-771-8163 or visit rockwall.ebby.com.  

17

•••  Economic Development Insight  •••

GROWING OUR 

OWN WORKFORCE

Sponsored by

Sylvia Sotelo Kidd

Considering upsizing, downsizing, 

or just ‘rightsizing’?

With the arrival of the new school year, selling your home may not be on 

your radar. But the reality is the timing couldn’t be better to sell a 

Rockwall-area residence, according to local real estate experts.