Irving Has Many Sister Cities Across The Globe
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IRVING (KRLD) - Irving has several 'Sister Cities' around the globe... and KRLD's Cameron Fairchild reports those relationships bring a lot of jobs and billions of dollars to North Texas.
Irving has arrangements with six cities... Merton, England... Espoo, Finland... Boulogne-Billancourt, France... Marino, Italy... Darkhan, Mongolia... and Leon, Mexico. Irving's International Affairs and Sister Cities Executive Director Joe Chapa says each of the cities brings economic benefits to the area.
"There are offices here in Irving for about a hundred international companies from different parts of the world."
Chapa says Irving's international business community is matched by the city's cultural diversity.
"Irving is a very diverse community. Not only do we have the companies. We have the most diverse Zip Code in the country, here in Irving."
Of Irving's sister cities, the one closest to home may also be the most important trading partner; Leon, Mexico.
"For Texas, Mexico is it's biggest trading partner. The Texas portion is over 100 billion dollars a year."
Chapa says the Sister Cities program has brought so many jobs and so much money into Irving, the city is looking to add more partners.
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