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.