DENTON, Texas — In a move set to reshape Denton’s economic landscape, two major companies have announced plans to invest a combined $49.4 million in the city, a commitment that could bring more than 200 new jobs to the area.
At the center of the plan is U.S. Cold Storage, a New Jersey-based company that distributes refrigerated goods for clients like Kraft and Butterball. The company plans to expand its existing facility on Jim Christal Road by 100,000 square feet, bringing its total investment in the area to $34.9 million. According to city records, the expansion would create 172 new jobs, with average salaries of just over $57,000.
Denton officials are offering significant incentives to make that happen: a property tax abatement of 60 percent over eight years, and a sales tax rebate on construction materials, for a combined value of $1.07 million. In return, the city expects $1.4 million in new revenue, along with additional gains for Denton County and the local school district.
Just down the road, Mayday Manufacturing, an aerospace parts manufacturer established in 1966, is planning a $14.5 million expansion at 3100 Jim Christal Road. The company, which was acquired by Esco Technologies in 2016 (NYSE: ESE), says the project is expected to create 50 new jobs with an average annual wage of $54,020, bringing its total Denton workforce to 450. Mayday has applied for a 60 percent property tax abatement over 10 years and a Chapter 380 economic development grant of up to $577,944. The Denton Economic Development Corporation Board has recommended approval, and city officials expect the incentives to pay off within four years.
City analysts project that both investments would pay off in under a decade. But neither company has publicly commented on the plans, raising questions about transparency and public benefit ahead of a June 3 City Council vote.
For Denton, the stakes go beyond job numbers. The decision reflects a broader challenge: how to attract and retain major employers without overcommitting public funds, and how to ensure that growth reaches the communities that need it most.
