Industrial development in McKinney has increased as developers look to capitalize on available land and bring more jobs to the city. With more than $1.1 billion in industrial projects permitted since 2020, McKinney has seen its business landscape shift as industrial development grows.

The current situation: The city of McKinney issued 99 building permits for industrial projects from 2020 and 2025, according to the city’s annual development reports, which is a 153% increase in requests for the same permit type during the prior five-year period. Those building permits include expansion projects for Encore Wire, Raytheon and ILS Gummies. Other projects are planned by Lite-On Technology Corp., CapRock Partners and VanTrust Real Estate.

The setup: The recent developments are caused by a “perfect storm” of land availability, motivated developers and workforce in the area, said Michael Kowski, president and CEO of the McKinney Economic Development Corp.

Quote of note: “We’re in an industrial development boom,” McKinney Planning Director Lucas Raley said.

Work is underway on a new facility in McKinney that will be shared by nonprofits aiming to serve people in need across Collin County.

What happened: Nonprofit officials and community leaders held a groundbreaking ceremony Aug. 4 for the Collin County NeighborHub. The 40,000-square-foot facility will house several different nonprofits that serve people across Collin County.

The groundbreaking comes months after McKinney City Council members approved new zoning for the project, which will be located near the corner of Redbud Boulevard and White Avenue. Nonprofit organization Catholic Charities Dallas is leading the project as a managing partner.

Quote of note: Catholic Charities Dallas President and CEO David Woodyard said the hub will make a “huge difference” for many people in the coming years. Construction is expected to last one year, and operations are expected to begin in summer 2027, he said.

“This is a place where tens of thousands will have their health care needs fulfilled [for] free,” Woodyard said.

A new gas station is coming to Roanoke and a gym will open in Allen. Check out the latest construction permits filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. 

The Plaza at Spring Creek: Shopping center The Plaza at Spring Creek will start complete construction in early December 2027, according to TDLR documents. The development will feature two parking decks, 11 retail buildings and two community green spaces. 

• Location: northwest corner of Dallas North Tollway and Spring Creek Boulevard, Plano
• Estimated timeline: Dec. 1, 2025-Dec. 1, 2027
• Estimated cost: $9.76 million

• Location: northeast corner of US 377 and Bobcat Boulevard
• Estimated timeline: Jan. 12, 2027-Aug. 30, 2027
• Estimated cost: $850,000

Throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, airports such as Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field Airport are planning upgrades. At McKinney National Airport, a carrier is planning flights.

1. American to open 2 Admirals Club lounges: Fort Worth-based American Airlines plans to open its largest Admirals Club lounge within Terminal C at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, according to a news release.

The airline also plans to include a grab-and-go option inside the initial phase of Terminal F, which is expected to open next year.

2. Dallas Love Field Airport receives federal funding: The Federal Aviation Administration will invest $23.7 million in Dallas Love Field Airport to enhance the travel experience.

3. Avelo Airlines plans service to 5 destinations from McKinney National Airport: Avelo Airlines will launch commercial air service at McKinney National Airport later this year with plans for nonstop flights to five destinations.

The airline will offer flights to Las Vegas and four cities in Florida: Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Orlando and Tampa, according to a June 30 news release.

Texas is halting the approval of new data center projects until state regulators can audit all data centers seeking to connect to the power grid, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Aug. 3.

The overview: The governor directed the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas to conduct “a comprehensive verification and audit” of all data center applicants “before any additional data centers are approved to move forward.” 

Data center regulation has emerged as a bipartisan issue in recent months, and the move comes amid both growing public criticism of Texas’ booming data center industry and recent political pressure for Abbott to respond.

Zooming in: Abbott asked the PUC and ERCOT to collect information about the tax exemptions each data center is collecting; details about each project's anticipated water and electricity usage; and how data center developers will work to limit noise, light pollution and other impacts on local communities.

Officials did not say how long the pause would last or when the audits would begin.