The City of McKinney serves as the county seat of Collin County and is located in central Collin County, just 30 miles north of Dallas.  Both the city and the county are named for Collin McKinney, land surveyor, patriot, legislator, signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and author of the law creating counties in the northern part of Texas. McKinney is located at the top of the North Dallas Technology Corridor.  As the county seat of Collin County, one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, McKinney is experiencing phenomenal residential and commercial growth.  McKinney residents enjoy a pristine quality of life in several master-planned communities, as well as easy access to all the action in Dallas.  For businesses, we offer a central U.S. location, highly educated, available labor force, and an unbeatable corporate incentive program. Incorporated in 1848, McKinney became the center of a thriving agricultural economy.  With the arrival of the Houston and Central Texas Railroad in 1872, McKinney's town square developed into a commercial and social center for local residents as well as the surrounding towns that soon grew up around McKinney.  Merchants and businessmen celebrated their prosperity by building beautiful Victorian homes in the neighborhoods near the square, many of which remain today in what is known as the Historical District of McKinney.  McKinney remained an agricultural and trade center well into the 20th century.  In the late 1970's and early 1980's, McKinney's economic development strategy moved away from agriculture and concentrated on attracting new business and development to the city.  Building upon the rich heritage that includes the second-largest historic district in the state of Texas, McKinney today combines a progressive business climate with a dedication to preserving the highest quality of life for its residents.  This ability to celebrate the past while nurturing future growth has made McKinney one of the fastest-growing communities in the United States. McKinney's population closes in on the 120,000 mark as 2009 approaches.  The city highlights numerous new and established neighborhoods graced by quality schools, churches, parks, hike and bike trails, golf courses, tennis courts, and other family amenities.  The historical downtown, with a classic Texas town square design featuring the old County Courthouse as the centerpiece, is home to numerous shops, boutiques, restaurants, and even a winery. The city is especially proud of its major master-planned communities: Eldorado of McKinney, Stonebridge Ranch, Craig Ranch, and Tucker Hill.  Eldorado's initial development began over twenty years ago, but it is still a premier community for the resale of previously owned homes.  Many additional neighborhoods have sprung up around Eldorado featuring an abundance of new homes.  The Eldorado area is home of the Eldorado Country Club, which features a championship 18-hole golf course. Stonebridge Ranch encompasses 5,000 acres of planned development, representing the largest single tract of land ever annexed into an existing city in the history of the state of Texas.  Stonebridge Ranch currently has over 37 different villages of new homes to choose from, with more villages to be developed.  This development features two country clubs with championship golf courses, with a third course in the development stages.  The Stonebridge Country Club golf course is a Pete Dye signature course and has played host to the NCAA national tournament, among others.  Its sister club, the Ranch Country Club, features a 27-hole course designed by nationally prominent Arthur Hills. Several attractive apartment and condominium communities are available in McKinney, with others under construction.  Housing designated for senior citizens is available, which includes retirement villages and assisted living facilities. This prospective appears with permission and with thanks to the McKinney Chamber of Commerce.  Visit the Chamber at www.mckinneytx.org.