RICHARDSON, Texas — There have been some positive gains and efforts to address some ongoing challenges in Dallas County over the past year.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins spoke about some of the top issues and priorities during his State of Dallas County Address Thursday at a luncheon hosted by the Richardson and Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chambers of Commerce.
"For the third year in a row, DFW lead the whole country in job creation," Jenkins said.
The county judge revealed local job growth is double the national average. With that, Dallas County is also seeing more businesses choosing to call the area home, especially in the manufacturing sector.
"Right now we are leading the nation in spec warehouses," Jenkins said. "The warehouses that are going up."
Even with positive gains, Dallas County continues to struggle through some economic challenges. Though the unemployment rate is three percent, data shows 27 percent of Dallas County children are living in poverty. Jenkins says that is because many moms and dads are not making a living wage.
"We've all got a role to play,” Jenkins told the crowd. “We're seeing that people of color are making less with the same jobs, with the same skills, as their white counterparts. So, in your businesses, please look and make sure people are being paid fairly."
Health care was another hot topic during the State of Dallas County Address. Jenkins said Texas ranks last in the number of uninsured residents. Dallas County’s rate of uninsured individuals is higher than the state average. County leaders are optimistic some new initiatives can help address those issues.
The County Judge announced Parkland Hospital is expanding by opening clinics at Red Bird Mall in the coming year. That would give more people better access to health care resources.
"When you have a primary care doctor, you have better health care," Jenkins said. "We want everybody to have good health care. So, by expanding to Red Bird, that's going to help us with some of our capacity."
Jenkins also announced Parkland is looking for a location in Lancaster for an additional expansion over the next two years.