Denton leaders ’cautiously optimistic‘ about growing city’s economy

Local leaders in Denton expressed cautious optimism about the economic outlook for the rapidly growing region during President Logan’s visit. Business and civic leaders said Denton has become a destination for business expansion due to the location in the northwest corner of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area and the regular supply of graduates. The city is home to three universities with combined enrollment of over 60,000, the University of North Texas, Texas Woman’s University and North Central Texas College. These universities are partnering with local businesses to tackle a new challenge: preparing students for entry-level positions as artificial intelligence evolves rapidly.

The city’s focus on culture, with a vibrant arts and music scene, has also made it an attractive location for homeowners seeking value in the competitive North Texas housing market. As one real estate leader said, they “can’t keep buildings off the ground” as demand for residential, commercial and industrial real estate continues to rise. Meanwhile, another leader raised concern about the city’s ability to keep up with infrastructure demands.

Texas Woman’s University addresses healthcare workforce need

Texas Woman’s University is rethinking how it prepares students for the workforce, from innovation in the classroom to targeted support programs to boost graduation rates for non-traditional students. Roughly half of TWU students are enrolled in health professions programs on the university’s two campuses near the Dallas and Houston medical centers.

The newest building, a 36,000-square-foot health science center on their Denton campus, serves as an interprofessional facility for students studying different health specialties to work together on medical solutions, mimicking how these professions interact in the workplace. Noralyn Pickets, associate dean of TWU’s health science and nursing colleges, said, “Better outcomes occur when people know who to work with and how to work together.”

The school also applies this philosophy to student success. After asking students about barriers to graduation, administrators developed specialized programs to break down those barriers. The programs have proven successful. The Frontiers Program, for example, has increased the graduation rate of students who have lived in foster care from 3 percent to 45 percent.

Denton truck manufacturer continues to grow

Leaders from Peterbilt Motors Co., Denton County’s largest private employer, are actively hiring and expect to continue adding positions in the first quarter. Manufacturing is often an early economic indicator, and after seeing modest demand for most of 2025, Peterbilt ended the year with an uptick in orders, factory leaders told President Logan.

With over 3,000 employees working across two shifts, the Denton factory turns out around 163 heavy-duty trucks every day. Though costs have increased across the sector, leaders said their business model of selling premium trucks with industry-leading technology and high-quality components has strengthened demand for their vehicles.

Denton’s music scene lays groundwork for up-and-coming musicians

Denton and UNT’s college of music have long been a magnet for creative people, incubating scores of artists and musicians who go on to successful careers. Just off the city square, the Panhandle House is a recording studio that exemplifies the city’s musical roots. The quaint, unassuming studio with an impressive repertoire of clients is owned and operated by two brothers who bought the building in the late 1990s and built the interior themselves. Their meticulous dedication to the craft and drive to produce the best sound has paid off, as it’s become a place for musicians of various backgrounds to stop by and record while visiting the area.

One challenge the owners noted is the aging of experts in the industry. The professionals they contract for upkeep, such as instrument tuning or technology maintenance, are nearing retirement age without clear successors.