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The College of Pharmacy at the University of North Texas Health Fort Worth earned recognition in state and national fiscal year 2023-24 research rankings, according to a news release from the university. 

What happened: The nonprofit Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research delivered a ranking based on the research funding given to the college by the National Institutes of Health, per the release. 

The college of pharmacy received $3.2 million in NIH funding for FY 2023-24 and ranked No. 4 in Texas and No. 41 nationally in pharmacy schools, according to the release. 

Additionally, the College of Pharmacy also advanced in the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy’s 2024 research funding report. The pharmacy program moved from fifth to fourth place in Texas and climbed five spots nationally to No. 42, per UNT’s release. The association tracks total external research funding, which offers insight into how pharmacy schools are performing in securing competitive grants and expanding their research portfolios, according to the release. 

The town of Trophy Club is moving forward on a development known as The Grove at TC, a small area plan located along the SH 114 frontage road.

Council members voted 6-1, with council member Dennis Sheridan opposing, to award a contract to two companies run by Jason Claunch: Catalyst Commercial Inc. and Core Location Advisors.

The contract is for promoting retail opportunities through targeted outreach to prospective developers.

The background: Claunch collaborated with McAdams during the small area plan, which was presented in the fall, that focused on developing land owned by the Trophy Club Economic Development Corp. 

The small area plan was approved to strengthen the key business area along the SH 114 corridor, including recommended land uses and site concepts; safety and mobility improvements for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists; streetscape enhancements and guidance for implementation; and potential funding strategies.

What they’re saying: “This is essentially our services to assist with marketing data and to prepare that for outreach, to help position these properties,” Claunch said.

NBT Financial Bank held a groundbreaking ceremony for its location in Grapevine on January 8.

The location, at the corner of East Northwest Highway and Boyd Drive, was approved by the Grapevine City Council during a July 15 meeting, according to previous reporting.

The details:  According to its website, NBT Financial Bank offers personal and business checking and loans for commercial real estate, land, construction and homes. 

What else? The Grapevine location will have a dual-lane drive-through as part of a 4,000-square-foot building. This will be the bank’s sixth location.

• 803 E. Northwest Highway, Grapevine

Catch up on some of the biggest news out of Community Impact's Dallas-Fort Worth coverage areas from Jan. 12-16.

Central McKinney Kroger store slated for closure, officials confirm

GCISD sees departure of 3 district employees

Mike’s Chicken set to serve fried chicken in Plano, near Richardson border

India Bazaar sells fresh produce, groceries at new McKinney store

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AT&T to build new 54-acre global headquarters campus in Plano

Some Texas film industry leaders say the state is on its way to becoming the third “media coast,” joining Los Angeles and New York as film production hubs. A recent increase in state funding is helping buoy that growth, said Chase Musslewhite, co-founder of Media for Texas, an Austin-based nonprofit that advocates for the advancement of the state’s film industry.

The details: Through 2035, $1.5 billion in state incentives will be available for movies, television shows, documentaries and related projects created in Texas.

To be eligible for the program funding under Senate Bill 22, at least 35% of a production’s cast and crew must live in Texas and at least 60% of the work must be done in-state, according to the Texas Film Commission. Grant reimbursements start at 5% and go up to 31%, depending on how much a production spends and other aspects of the project.

The local impact: After SB 22 became law Sept. 1, some local governments across Texas—including Austin, San Antonio and Houston—expanded or launched their own film incentive programs.