R/AI
Rural AI Corridor
denton county · tx
County Power Center

The double-dip — sequencing matters more than the ask.

At the county level you aren't pitching a business; you're pitching a Workforce Solutions Partner. Run the steps in order — each one unlocks the next.

STEP 01The AnchorJennette Espinosa · Little Elm EDC

Lock a Type B grant for the physical MyCityMySchool for Sports hub kiosks. The Little Elm Economic Development Corporation has the cleanest pathway for a localized infrastructure award.

DELIVERABLESigned Letter of Intent — Type B participation
STEP 02The MultiplierRina Maloney · Denton County Econ. Dev.

Walk the Little Elm agreement into Rina Maloney's office. Frame it as: ‘Little Elm is already in for the infrastructure; we want Denton County to back the Workforce expansion of MyCityMySchool across the whole county.’

DELIVERABLEChapter 381 negotiation opens
STEP 03The ValidationPaula McCain · NCTC SBDC (Denton)

Use Paula McCain to audit the numbers and tighten the federal/state grant fit — for free. An SBDC-vetted plan is the difference between a 20% trust score and a 90% trust score with the county.

DELIVERABLESBDC review letter attached to application
The Power Center

Three contacts that move the budget

The Gatekeeper

Rina Maloney, MPA

Grant & Econ. Dev. Program Manager
Denton County Economic Development

Manages Chapter 381 Agreements — the specific grants that issue cash or tax breaks to companies creating commercial activity in the county.

The Payer

Regional Director · Business Services Lead

Skills for Small Business administrator
Workforce Solutions North Central TX

Pays up to $2,000 per new hire for training. Will literally pay you to train people on your platform.

The Architect

Paula McCain

Senior Lead Advisor
NCTC SBDC (Denton)

Direct line to the SBA. Helps tech-out the business plan to meet federal and state grant standards — at no cost.