Cobb

Even though officials say the market is tough now, a lot is happening in and around Denton. According to information from city officials, at least seven companies — both new and existing — are building new plants or expanding with plans to add new employees.

At least 700 jobs are earmarked for the Denton market when the following companies complete their construction:

DRC/Barron Ludlum

A worker nails the framework atop the new Marriott Hotel at Colorado Boulevard and Brinker Road behind On the Border in Denton.

United Copper — The copper wire manufacturer off U.S. Highway 380 East is expanding its size by 120,000 square feet and could add up to 260 employees.

Business Air and Jet Works — The companies, both at Denton Municipal Airport, are continuing to grow, building two additional hangars at the airport for fixed base operators to use and for the finish-out of new jets.

Molecular Insight Pharmaceutical — This pharmaceutical company will be moving into an existing building. Once renovation has been completed, the company plans to have a total of 25 employees.

Fastenal — The shell of the building is visible off Airport Road near the Denton Municipal Airport. Once completed, the light manufacturer and distributor of industrial fasteners will employ an estimated 90 employees.

Tetra Point Fuels — The ethanol fuel manufacturer, which is now leasing space at Granite Point, is finishing a construction project and will be adding an estimated 30 people to its payroll.

Aldi Foods — Long popular in the Midwest and beyond, the discount grocer is working on a 500,000-square-foot project just south of Airport Road. The company plans to use the large project as its distribution center and plans to open two stores in Denton.

Jostens Inc. — Those driving down Interstate 35E on a daily basis have likely seen the construction, which started recently. The expansion will mean the addition of an estimated 130 employees.

Commercial Property Services LLC sold its 125,225-square-foot shopping center — home to the Brookshire’s grocery store, Blockbuster and others — to 717 Stemmons Partners LP.

Tim A. Speck, first vice president and regional manager with Marcus & Milli­chap of Dallas, confirmed the sale took place on March 14. Speck was one of three people who represented both the seller and the buyer during the transaction.

Thanks to a $9,925 grant by CoServ Charitable Foundation, Spirithorse Thera­peutic Center is getting a defibrillator to use in the event of an emergency, a chair lift to assist riders with disabilities and a new horse named Ziggy.

Spirithorse, located in Corinth, provides free therapeutic horseback riding services to 450 children and adults each week. Clients come from 10 counties in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.

The center bills itself as the largest facility in the U.S. that provides private therapeutic horseback riding services free of charge for people with disabilities, children who are victims of abuse or violence, at-risk youths, battered women, and youths who have been through drug rehabilitation.

Currently, Spirithorse is partnering with the University of North Texas to study brain mapping and neuron feedback relating to equine therapy, and UT-Southwestern Medical Center is taking part in a two-year study with the center on autism.

Judy Nelson, owner and director, opened Lights-N-Motion Inc. — a new skating rink and child care facility in Pilot Point — in late December. She works with Sherri Smith, marketing and events coordinator, to create what they say is a family-friendly, Christian-based business.

Lights-N-Motion offers preschool, after-school and summer programs for elementary and intermediate students, including a mentor program for middle school students.

She is in the process of hiring a summer camp instructor to help direct the camp.

The camps will combine movement and science, sports and more, Nelson said. Dates are not yet available.

Facility rentals are also available.

The business is located at 10279 E. FM455 in Building 7 in Pilot Point, behind Ernesto’s Restaurant. For information, call 940-686-5400 or visit www.lights-n-motion.org.

Denton resident Eugene Colwick recently received a patent for a device that some truck drivers, hunters and people on long road trips might find useful.

His invention is a portable urinal, about the size and shape of a 2-liter bottle. It has two sides, one for men and the other for women, and comes with several camouflage designs and a sling for easy carrying.

Colwick, who owns a local roofing company, said he came up with the idea while at his deer lease.

Colwick is about to start production, and says he already has several companies interested in the device, including one that would use it for employees who travel by road or provide services to homes.

For more information, visit www.sppeepal.com.

Congrats

Dana Lodge, sales and servicing manager for the Denton Convention & Visitor Bureau, recently earned the designation of certified meeting professional. The program was started in 1985 by the Convention Industry Council to enhance knowledge and performance of meeting professionals, as well as set uniform standards of practice.

The credentials are internationally recognized, with members from corporations, associations and governmental and institutional organizations. There are about 10,000 certified meeting professionals in 26 countries.

DATCU recently awarded Meghan Kaye Schwind with a $500 scholarship at the Denton County Livestock Association Blue Ribbon Club. Schwind is attending Texas A&M University with plans to major in international travel. It is the second scholarship she has received for her achievements.

Coming up

The Greater Denton/Wise County Association of Realtors will be holding several education courses in April.

Brandie Kitchens from the realtors’ association said there will be two designation courses — the Accredited Buyer Repre­sen­tation Designation and Graduate Realtor Institute Designation. The association will also offer a 9-hour sales class along with a salesperson annual education class.

Attendees must register in advance.

For more information, call Kitchens at 940-387-8212 or e-mail her at brandie@denton-wiserealtors.com,  or visit www.denton-wiserealtors.com.  

Staff writers Karina Ramirez and Randena Hulstrand contributed to this report.