Denison -- The teamwork that has sparked the recent resurgence in downtown Denison paid big dividends again June 8 as city leaders announced more jobs are headed downtown. Caterpillar will be moving 40 office jobs into the Chase Building on Main Street with the possibility of 80-90 office workers eventually being housed downtown.

"We're growing, and we're growing substantially," explained Alan Walker of Caterpillar.

Alan Walker

Because of steady, sustainable growth, Caterpillar has run out of office space at its present location on FM 1417.

Caterpillar is expanding its plant from approximately 200 workers to 550 workers and TxDOT is modifying FM 1417 by adding turn lanes to accommodate the increase in traffic. The $500,000 project is a partnership of Sherman Denison Metropolitan Planning Organization and TxDOT.

"Our operations team has done a good job of clearing the path to great careers at Caterpillar," Walker said. "If you know great people looking for a great place to work, they might want to come knocking on our door."

The progress of "Team Denison" -- a term used to describe Denison's cohesive business community and cooperative city leadership -- has not gone unnoticed by officials at Caterpillar.

Denison Development Alliance has invested $263,000 in a partnership with local business owners to revitalize downtown Denison.

In another positive sign, revenue from the city's hotel/motel tax has doubled in four years.

With the finest school facilities in the region in the works, a colorful downtown rapidly expanding, improved transportation, scenic Lake Texoma on its doorstep and Team Denison all suited up, momentum seems to be growing.

(L-R) Denison Mayor Jared Johnson , former Denison Mayor Robert Bradley, Alan Walker of Caterpillar and Richard Munson of Denison Development Alliance

While Caterpillar has obviously made a significant investment to expand its current facilities, Walker hinted at even more to come in 2013.

"We wanted to be downtown," Walker said of the company's decision to create office space on Main Street. "We wanted to keep the revitalization of downtown Denison going and we thought we could help in that way."

Walker closed his remarks with a visionary statement in an apparent effort to encourage entities throughout the region to learn to compete with each other instead of against each other.

In addition to headquarters in Denison, Caterpillar has opened a facility in Sherman and a 150,000 sq. ft. warehouse in Van Alstyne.

"As a business, Denison is our home," stated Walker, "but we have an interest in the entire area and I think we should make an effort to unify the entire area."

Alan Walker

Richard Munson, a board member of Denison Development Alliance reflected on the impact Caterpillar has made on the region.

"Seeing that yellow come down the road was a great thing for Denison," Munson remarked.

Richard Munson

Tony Kaai, CEcD of Denison Development Alliance gives the opening remarks at the news conference.

Chase Building in downtown Denison

Denison Mayor Jared Johnson

Former Denison Mayor Robert Bradley

Alan Walker of Caterpillar shows off a new beach towel he received from DDA after the news conference