Southern Dallas County Inland Port Transportation Management Association
NEWS & INFORMATION
Dallas Morning News: Southern Dallas County business leaders, officials discuss innovation at UNT Dallas
Aria Jones, Southern Dallas Reporter
October 21, 2025 | Updated 7pm
In Southern Dallas County, leaders at companies that handle drone deliveries, autonomous trucks, and other innovations shared their visions for the area. Home to the Inland Port, the region sees thousands of trucks hauling goods, along with manufacturing and distribution centers. “We’re bringing all the players together,” said Laura Freeland, Executive Director of the Inland Port Transportation Management Association (IPTMA), noting that representatives from cities, educational institutions, and political offices attended alongside community members.
Dozens gathered for the second Southern Dallas Region Innovation Summit on Tuesday at the University of North Texas at Dallas. The event, hosted by the Inland Port Transportation Management Association in partnership with UNT Dallas and the University of North Texas, explored innovations involving artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, aerospace, energy, and emissions.
Freeland said that with community and stakeholders involved, there is a way to have accountability, push for change, and address issues that have impacted the region. For example, attendees discussed gentrification, air quality, and hiring practices. “We’re already doing these deliveries that are addressing food deserts,” Freeland said.
Jake Robinson, a manager with Zipline, explained how drone deliveries could help. “We have the ability to get to areas that may live in food deserts, where fresh produce and vegetables may not be accessible as easily,” he said.
Areas covered by the Inland Port extend south near interstates 20, 35E, and 45, spanning across 76,000 acres and including employers such as Amazon, FedEx, and Walmart. Companies also operate in cities like Lancaster, DeSoto, Wilmer, and Hutchins.
Panelists represented a wide range of industries, including AT&T, Pilot Company, and Kodiak, which has been testing and developing self-driving trucks. Dave Copps, CEO of AI platform company Worlds, encouraged attendees not to fear artificial intelligence. “It has the potential to amplify and accelerate work for companies to do more, rather than reducing employees,” he said.
“It’s not that people are going to go away,” Copps added. “We’re going to do more, and we might need more people.”
David Evans, with Sentiero Ventures, said during a panel that RedBird serves as a strong example of business innovation rooted in community. “It’s a good example of a business model starting from what’s new, much in the way AI could be involved in new ideas,” he said.
RedBird has been reimagining its development with affordable housing, medical services, and childcare among other amenities. Peter Brodsky, CEO of The Shops at RedBird, served as the event’s keynote speaker and spoke about the economic potential of the area.
Rather than seeing Southern Dallas as an area in need of charity, Brodsky described it as “a market that is not being served the quality amenities that the citizens of this area desire, deserve, and can easily afford.”
He noted that while gentrification can bring challenges, development can be done responsibly. “All of a sudden, the people who live in that community can no longer afford to live there,” Brodsky said. “That’s happened a lot in this city.” Still, he emphasized that development can benefit everyone. “There will always be some displacement,” he said, “but the idea is to mitigate it so that you end up with a true mixed-income community that’s thriving.”
