Named for Dr. Bill J. Priest, founding chancellor of the Dallas County Community College District, the "Bill J. Priest Institute for Economic Development" was established in 1989 as a combined effort of the Dallas County Community College District and the private sector to support economic development in Dallas County.

Dr. Glen Bounds, President, began his career with DCCCD as instructor at El Centro in 1969; subsequently, he was one of the first administrators at Mountain View College and later served as the founding Vice President of Instruction at North Lake College and Interim Vice President of Instruction at El Centro College. He was named Provost (later changed to President) of the Bill Priest Institute prior to the building’s opening in December 1988.

With their location near downtown Dallas, the Institute is ideally located to serve the workforce training needs of individuals and companies in the area like never before. The Bill Priest Institute supports the city’s efforts by keeping its finger on the pulse of the job market and creating innovative strategies to prepare individuals to meet the needs of employers throughout Dallas County. The Bill Priest Institute is helping small businesses grow, too. The Institute’s Small Business Development Center programs have counseled over 75,000 area companies since their inception.