The next big thing for Manteca’s economy is heading north.

Mayor Ben Cantu noted private sector concerns are looking at business parks and such south of French Camp Road and between Union Road and Airport Way north of Roth Road and its future eastern extension.

“We will see job growth in the north,” Cantu said Tuesday in reflecting on the state of the city’s economy.

The area is targeted for annexation to the city.

The pandemic overshadowed significant economic inroads the city made luring new employers to the city during 2020. Among them was the 746,790 square foot fulfillment center at 3565 North Airport Way in Manteca that’s sandwiched between 5.11 Tactical and Penske Logistics that serves as Lowe’s Northern California distribution center.

It is in addition to the Amazon Prime operation that has been on Louise Avenue for three years.

Amazon’s Airport Way location is located just to the south of where developers want to pursue the business parks Cantu references.

The area is considered a prime location for distribution centers and such. That’s because it is a short truck drive to the Union Pacific Railroad intermodal transfer station as well as having freeway access via a recently updated French Camp Road interchange on Highway 99. The Stockton Metro Airport is less than four miles away as well.

Cantu noted growth is allowing the city to attract a number of brick and mortar retail concerns despite the continued growth of e-commerce. Among those stores opening this year are the 116,641-square-foot Living Spaces furniture showroom that will include a restaurant on Union Road at Atherton Drive and the Boot Barn in the Spreckels shopping area.

There are a number of smaller concerns expanding from the Manteca-based La Estrella Taqueria opening a fourth location at the Stadium Retail Center to the building of a Raising Cane’s as well as additional car washes, gas stations and convenience stores.

In addition a team sports fitness center is expected to break ground this year behind the Home Depot along Commerce Court.

Cantu added the fact Great Wolf is talking with the city about expanding by possibly 200 more rooms by exercising an option to buy 9.67 acres even though the 500-room indoor waterpark resort has yet to open due to the pandemic speaks volumes about the state — and potential — of Manteca’s economy.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com