Denton's economic development advisers are being asked Wednesday to lock in a six-part work plan that grew out of a two-day retreat in March, covering everything from a workforce task force to help for small-business owners nearing retirement.
The Economic Development Partnership Board meets at 11 a.m. Nov. 4 in Training Rooms 3, 4 and 5 of the Development Service Center, 401 N. Elm St. Staff recommend building the board's 2026-27 work plan around the six goals, and the agenda sheet says the finished goals would then go to the City Council.
The six goals
Workforce. The plan calls for a task force drawing in the universities, school districts, employers, nonprofits, career and technical programs and the United Way. It would split into industry committees for aviation, media, logistics, defense and manufacturing, and would catalog training already offered by groups such as the Texas Workforce Commission, Denton ISD, Goodwill Industries and North Central Texas College.
Existing businesses. Staff would pick a business retention software platform to share with the chamber, survey companies about their problems, and bring commercial real estate brokers in for debriefs after deals close. The draft also flags what it calls a "Silver Tsunami" of owners approaching retirement, proposing succession-planning workshops and a reverse job fair with the Small Business Development Center and the chamber.
Recruitment. A certified site program would get land ready ahead of prospects, target industries would be updated using University of North Texas data, and the board would explore buying a county industry study. Policies to attract pilot programs and startups in mobility and technology are also listed.
Permitting, partnerships and messaging. The remaining goals call for faster handling of projects in development services, with the aim of earning regional and statewide recognition; regular check-ins among city departments and contracted partners; and three or four short pitches built around the city's "Where Creativity Meets Commerce" tagline.
Money and background
According to the staff presentation, the council in August recommended an extra $1 million for economic development in the 2026-27 budget. The agenda sheet lists the items the council funded: a certified sites program, stronger marketing and recruitment, an accelerator for retail, restaurant or film businesses, and a Mayor's Workforce and Education Task Force.
