Denton economic development board holds facilitated retreat to set FY2026'27 priorities

A facilitated retreat of the Denton City Economic Development Partnership on Thursday focused members on narrowing a long list of ideas into three-to-seven strategic priorities for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The session, led by facilitator Alicia Cook of Opportunity Strategies, combined a condensed review of board homework (SWOTs and 'start/stop/accelerate' inputs) with group discussion of actionable next steps.

Cook opened the session by explaining the format and deliverables: a typed work plan and a one-page summary of mission, vision and goals to be delivered for review within roughly 30 business days. "The magic number is 3 to 7," Cook said, describing the retreat's goal of producing a concise set of achievable targets rather than a long, unfocused list.

Board members and partner representatives then introduced themselves and described expectations for the retreat. Participants repeatedly emphasized Denton's strategic location and anchor institutions — including local universities, an active airport and major employers — as core strengths that should inform a prioritized plan.

Discussion highlights included:

- Business retention and expansion (BRE). Members urged a systematic BRE program with visitation schedules and shared dossiers so staff can detect when existing firms are being courted by other states. Staff reported the city previously used a shared CRM but has since moved away from that platform; several speakers called for a secure, shared system to coordinate retention outreach and incentive decisions.

- Site readiness and certified sites. Participants said that recruiting higher-value employers requires shovel-ready land with utilities. That led to multiple proposals to identify and certify sites in advance so Denton can shorten timeline to market.

- Speed to market and permitting. A recurring theme was that Denton's competitive edge will come from reducing friction in permitting and approvals. Several board members described a 'fast-track' review option (fee-based or otherwise) and third-party plan-review models as ways to offer "white-glove" service to prospects and speed construction timelines.

- Workforce and university partnerships. Members suggested deeper alignment with universities and local training programs to supply skilled workers, and proposed events such as career showcases to keep graduates and trained technicians in Denton.

- Downtown safety and public perception. Several participants warned that visible homelessness and downtown safety concerns depress retail and office demand. The group noted past pilot programs (a downtown ambassador program) and discussed the need for multi-agency solutions and stronger council-level support.

City staff joined the discussion on incentives and operations. Eric Sullivan, the city's economic development programs administrator, said staff are preparing an incentives policy update; he noted the city is reviewing tax-abatement and incentive tools that will affect recruitment and retention work.

No formal votes or legislative actions occurred at the retreat. The facilitator asked board members to return the next morning with their top two or three goals; the group expects to condense priorities and move toward measurable deliverables on day two. Staff will synthesize retreat outcomes into draft materials for review within about six weeks, followed by graphic and branding support for public-facing summaries.