As we wrap up March, here are the stories of innovation and inspiration that grabbed our readers’ attention the most in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak.
From the top story on how Jacobs responded to the pandemic, to a corporate relocation, to how Vari is ‘work spacing’ the workspace, our most-read stories highlighted what’s new and next in Dallas-Fort Worth.
Here’s a roundup of the top 10 most-read stories on dallasinnovates.com for April 2020.
1. COVID-19 Response: Jacobs Execs Take Pay Cut to Help Raise $1M, Company Realigns Federal Contracts
The engineering firm also has instituted a “maximum remote working environment” for its 55,000 employees worldwide.
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Steve Demetrious [Photo: Courtesy Jacobs]
2. Tyler Technologies in COVID-19: Goes Live With Tech, Offers Virtual Internships, and Continues to Serve Texas
Though not entirely free of the economic effects caused by the pandemic, Plano-based Tyler Technologies has continued to serve government entities. In fact, it’s forging ahead. Tyler now serves Texas’ 20 largest counties and is moving forward with a four-stage plan to roll out one of its solutions across the U.S.
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[Photo: Courtesy Tyler Technologies]
3. Fidelity Investments Hiring Hundreds of Employees in Dallas‑Fort Worth
The DFW positions are part of Fidelity’s plans to hire 2,000 nationwide.
![Fidelity's 337-acre campus in Westlake, TX. [Courtesy: Fidelity Investments]](https://s24806.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Fidelity-Investments_One-Destiny-lake-viewFidelity_courtesy02courtesy.jpg)
Fidelity’s 337-acre campus in Westlake, TX. [Courtesy: Fidelity Investments]
4. International Risk Management Solutions Firm to Relocate HQ to Plano, Plans to Hire Tech Talent
Flexibility for future growth—and a location that will help recruit tech talent—was key to Digital Matrix System’s decision-making. Hiring could center on business development, software engineering, and decision science.
![Digital Matrix Systems expects to occupy its new headquarters in Preston Park Towers later this year. [Photo: Preston Park Financial]](https://s24806.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/DigitalMatrixSystems_DMS_PrestonParkTowers-970.jpg)
Digital Matrix Systems expects to occupy its new headquarters in Preston Park Towers later this year. [Photo: Preston Park Financial]
5. When COVID-19 Struck, College District Shifted 60k Students to Online Learning in a Week
In less than a week, Dallas County Community College District moved entirely online. Here’s how they did it.
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[Photo: Deagreez/iStock]
6. ‘Work Spacing’ the Workspace: Vari Renovates HQ, Develops New Products in Response to COVID-19
We spoke with Vari CEO Jason McCann about the Coppell-based workspace innovation company’s renovations, its new products, and how businesses can get ready for the new normal.
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A rendering of Vari’s HQ renovations. [Image: Courtesy Vari]
7. North Texas Companies Make Masks Their Mission to Fight the COVID-19 Pandemic
This Saturday, anyone in Dallas County is required to wear a mask to essential businesses. The work these local companies are doing is more important now than ever.
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[Photo credits (left to right): Envision Dallas, Kendra Scott, Rosewood Corporation]
8. A Fort Worth Molecular Lab is Now Offering COVID-19 Testing
CQuentia’s newly validated COVID-19 test can determine if a patient is infected or a carrier—even if they’re showing no symptoms.
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[Image: via CQuentia]
9. Report: Dallas-Fort Worth Housing Market Ranks Among Least Vulnerable to Economic Impact From COVID-19
New Jersey and Florida account for nearly half of the 50 most-vulnerable counties in the country.
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[Photo: TrongNguyen/istockphoto]
10. Learning in the Living Room: 13 Resources for Making Education From Home Easier
From Amazon’s EarSketch (learn to code music with Grammy award-winning artists) to the Girls Scouts’ Digital Do-Gooder Patch Program to IF/THEN’s virtual swimming pool, North Texas organizations have made educational resources accessible online.
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[Photo: gorodenkoff/iStock]
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