Premium Sponsors

🔧 New programming at Collin College specifically targets workforce development, including specialized training and courses aimed at enhancing the skills of professionals already in the workforce.

The big picture: Through state grant funding, the college has been able to offer professional development for several area industries, including manufacturing, finance, accounting, project management and health care, among others. The college has also made upgrades for its health sciences programs to boost health care careers.

Measuring the impact: Workforce development helps companies retain employees. Matkin said educational opportunities can show employees an organization values them and can help advance their careers.

Zooming in: The McKinney Economic Development Corporation is working on a new plan to encourage workforce development in the area. The plan does not represent a starting point though, according to officials.

“A lot of the work that we’re doing for workforce development is already in place,” said Madison Clark, director of business retention and workforce development for the EDC. “It just hasn’t been formalized in a lot of ways.”

🍕 Mountain Mike’s Pizza is set to open a second location in McKinney next year, a representative of the company confirmed.

The specifics: According to its website, the business offers a variety of classic and specialty pizzas. Other menu items include chicken wings, side dishes, salads and sandwiches. Mountain Mike’s Pizza also offers desserts such as the pizza cookie and the cinnamon dessert pizza. Participating Mountain Mike's Pizza locations offer an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet.

Also of note: The first Mountain Mike’s Pizza location in McKinney opened at 4590 W. University Drive in July. A grand opening event for the University Drive location is schedule for noon-4 p.m., Nov. 1, and will include free miniature pizzas for the first 100 customers, concert ticket giveaways, raffles, activities for children and more.

📍8251 Eldorado Parkway, Ste. 100, McKinney

🛻 Lifted Trucks is set to demolish an existing on-property building to make room for roughly 65 additional parking spaces with hail canopies, Lifted Trucks Co-President James Pillor said.

The impact: “This project will allow us to have up to 150 vehicles for sale and provide the additional protection we need from the frequent hailstorms in the area,” Pillor said in an email.

📖 Interesting in visiting a local book shop or finding a new book? Check out these 15 independent bookstores in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

1. Neighbor Books: The store offers books in a variety of genres, puzzles, gifts and more. Neighbor Books also has a second story offering a variety of seating areas.

• Opened in 2024
• 208 E. Louisiana St., McKinney

• Opened in 2025
• 1018 E. 15th St., Plano

Texas is home to about 3.5 million small businesses, according to the National Federation of Independent Businesses. Estimates show that the average Texas small-business owner could save about $2,500 per year if voters approve an expanded business tax exemption on the Nov. 4 ballot.

The details: State Proposition 9 would exempt up to $125,000 of a business’s personal property, such as equipment, furniture and vehicles, from taxation. Texas business owners currently receive a tax exemption on property worth $2,500 or less.

“At $2,500, virtually everyone's paying this tax,” NFIB Texas Director Jeff Burdett said in an Oct. 24 interview. “If you have a desk, a computer and a chair, you're probably over $2,500 [in inventory]. … It makes no difference for almost any business.”

At the polls: Early voting in the Nov. 4 election began Oct. 20 and runs through Oct. 31. For more information about the propositions and candidates on your local ballot, visit www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.