2019 Katy Area EDC Work Plan unveiled at February GA

The Katy Area Economic Development Council hosted its February General Assembly meeting on Tuesday, February 19 at the Mark A. Chapman YMCA at Katy Main Street.  The meeting featured presentations by YMCA Katy Main Street, Harris County ESD #48 and Katy Area EDC.

Michelle Steffes, YMCA Katy Main Street Director of Operations, shared information about the host facility, one of the newest YMCA locations in the Houston area.  The YMCA, located in the Katy Main Street development within the City of Katy, offers a wide variety of programs for children and adults.  Highlight features of the facility include a playground, pool/splash pad and gym.  In addition to presenting and hosting, YMCA Katy Main Street served as the sponsor for the meeting.  You can learn more on the facility and its offerings here.

Harris County ESD #48 Public Information Officer Simon Vandyk took time to discuss the upcoming Katy Area Safety Fest.  Safety Fest will take place Saturday, April 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Typhoon Texas.  For further information on the annual event, please visit safetyfestkaty.org.

Katy Area EDC President/CEO Lance LaCour presented the 2019 Katy Area EDC Work Plan and introduced the 2019 Executive Committee members.  Officers include Woody Mann Jr. (Chair), Kent Rosenberger (Vice Chair), Caroline Champion (Secretary) and Paul Kurt (Treasurer).  Dan Boggio, Bob Chalker, Stan Goss, Yvonne Kershner, Rick Lawler, Dick Phillips and Heath Rushing will serve as at-large members for 2019.

LaCour noted that the work plan outlines goals and metrics for 2019 as part of the strategic plan, Katy Area 2021.  The mission of the multi-year strategic plan is to “Lead the economic development efforts of the Katy area to recruit, retain and expand new high quality, high impact companies, jobs and talent to improve the quality of life and place of Katy area residents.”

With the creation of the strategic plan in 2017, key parts include the attraction, expansion and creation of additional high-quality companies and employment opportunities to the area, talent, leadership, government relations, industry diversity, workforce development, and mobility and public infrastructure.  The plan has four key focus area including Marketing and Business Development, Competitiveness, Leadership and Effective Organization. 

In 2019, employment and investment projections for the Katy area, in the sectors of office, medical, industrial, technology, entertainment and lodging, include the creation of 2,500 jobs, $250,000,000 in capital investment and 1,500,000 SF (leased, built or occupied). 

Additionally, Katy Area EDC will continue to focus on advocating for infrastructure enhancements including drainage, water, sewer, energy and telecommunications.  Specifically, increases in system capacity to accommodate growth and building sites with ready-to-go infrastructure. With regards to Leadership, Katy Area EDC continues to work with the University of Houston on the creation and start-up of the Katy Area Leadership Institute, continuing the Stan C. Stanley Economic Development and Leadership Awards and working on Diversity Task Force strategies which include developing a minority-owned business directory for the Katy area.  

New members introduced at the meeting included Experis ManPower Group and Gallagher at the Associate level.  Members recognized for membership renewal included Board of Governors member University of Houston and Associate members Harris Fort Bend MUD 3, Igloo and Riverway Business Services.