News and Media

Manufacturing Month in Katy: Helping to build a workforce for the future

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Katy, Texas is home to a host of manufacturing companies that are producing goods using the latest technologies and the raw materials that are plentiful in Texas. Kicking off on Manufacturing Day — Friday, October 1 — and continuing throughout the month, we celebrate companies in the community for their employment opportunities and innovations that grow our economy. Manufacturing Day Stretches Through the Whole Month of October Launched annually on the first Friday in October with events that continue throughout the month, Manufacturing Day helps show the reality of modern manufacturing careers by encouraging thousands of companies and educational institutions around th...

Helping to improve the quality of life: What an EDC does

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

Economic growth is the core of a community’s vitality. The ability of businesses to operate and flourish offers jobs for residents, increases financial opportunities and improves the overall quality of life in an area. But starting and running a business is a challenging endeavor. From the established company to the entrepreneur looking to start, occasionally these businesses need assistance to achieve success. Economic Development usually takes three forms: Business Attraction Business Retention and Expansion Business Creation All three forms seek to create primary jobs that pay more than the average wage, increase the amount of income coming into the community from outside our market area...

Spiraling inflationary challenges - how small business owners can cope

Friday, August 26, 2022

Inflation is impacting everything - from manufacturing, grocery, and retail to small businesses. Inflation has been reported to range from 6.8 to 8.2% for 2022 - staggering rates of inflation that haven’t been seen since the 1980s. The all items index increased 9.1 percent for the 12 months ending June, the largest 12-month increase since the period ending November 1981. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, at the same time as inflation is rising, real average hourly earnings for all employees decreased by 0.6 percent. That’s the impact of inflation because it reflects a 1.0 percent increase in the Consume...

City of Katy parks master plan aims to connect community, residents

Thursday, May 19, 2022

By: Asia Armour - Community Impact The city of Katy is dedicating resources to a more robust parks program due to funding from the 2021 parks bond and the parks, trails and recreation master plan in an effort to improve residents’ quality of life. $4 million of the parks bond is dedicated to hike and bike trails. 3-5 miles of trails will be built from First Street to Leyendecker Landing. $200,000 of bond funding will go toward a new parks administration facility. 4 large parks projects are ongoing throughout the city. The city of Katy is in the midst of a collaborative effort to construct it...

Texas Wins Site Selection’s Governor’s Cup For Record-Breaking Tenth Year In A Row

Thursday, May 19, 2022

By: Office of the Governor Governor Greg Abbott today held a press conference where he announced that Texas has won Site Selection magazine's Governor's Cup for a record-shattering tenth year in a row. The award highlights top-performing states for job creation and capital investment. The Governor was joined for the announcement by representatives from Site Selection, company representatives, and economic development leaders from across the state. “Texas continues to shine as the beacon of economic prosperity in America, and I am proud to accept Site Selection’s Governor’s Cup for a record-shattering tenth straight year,” said Governor Abbott. “Texas is the new frontie...

Thiele takes oath of office as Katy mayor

Monday, May 16, 2022

By: George Slaughter - Community Impact Insurance executive William “Dusty” Thiele became Katy’s 17th mayor Friday in a swearing-in ceremony at City Hall. In remarks made after he took his place in the mayor’s chair, Thiele jokingly thanked everyone who voted for him. The overflow crowd in the council chamber laughed, as Thiele was the only candidate to file for mayor. Under recent voter-approved changes to the city charter, only the mayoralty was on the ballot this year. But because Thiele was the only candidate to file for the job, the city cancelled the election and declared him the winner. Municipal Judge Jeffrey C. Brashea...

Houston-Galveston Area Council releases public input schedule for 2045 transportation plan

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

By: Jishnu Nair - Community Impact The Houston-Galveston Area Council, which serves as the metropolitan planning organization for the Houston region, is taking public input for the 2045 iteration of its regional transportation plan. The organization said in a May 3 press release that it would host in-person meetings throughout the metro area as well as a virtual meeting in June. The public can provide comment through a digital survey on the H-GAC website or by emailing publiccomments@h-gac.com or calling 1-855-363-2516. The H-GAC uses long-term regional transportation plans to prioritize which infrastructure projects will receive funding in the Houston area. Short-term transportation improvemen...

Ribbon-cutting celebrates opening Houston Community College Katy campus

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

By: Cynthia Zelaya - Community Impact Houston Community College celebrated the opening of a new campus in Katy on May 6. Before the ribbon-cutting, guests listened to speeches by HCC board members, former Katy ISD students currently enrolled in HCC schools, and representatives from companies involved in the building’s construction and architecture. The building finished on time and on budget for $28.6 million, per previous Community Impact Newspaper reporting. It was designed by Harrison Kornburg Architects and built by Satterfield and Pontikes Construction. The ribbon-cutting was attended by Katy Mayor Bill Hastings, incoming Mayor Dusty Thiele, the HCC board and City Council members. After the speeches...

Higher Education 2022: A guide to higher education programs in the Katy area

Monday, May 09, 2022

As summer approaches, some Katy residents are beginning to consider pursuing higher education in the fall. Whether residents want to earn an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree or just want to gain skills needed for a promotion, there are plenty of affordable, flexible options close to home. 1. University of Houston-Victoria at Katy Enrollment: 4,350 (fall 2021) Fall 2022 admission deadline: Aug. 5 Admission requirements: 2.0 GPA, must be within the top 50% of high school class rank, meningitis vaccination Registration fee: $25 Average in-state tuition: $4,384 per semester 22400 Grand Circle Blvd., Ste. 206, Katy 281-396-3700 www.uhv.edu 2. University of Houston at Katy Enrollment: 353 (spring 2021) Fall 2022 admission deadline...

Governor Abbott Proclaims 2022 Small Business Week In Texas

Wednesday, May 04, 2022

Release provided by Office of the Governor Governor Greg Abbott today invited all Texans to celebrate the important role small businesses play in job creation in communities throughout the state as he issued a proclamation officially designating May 2–6, 2022 as Small Business Week in Texas. "An amazing 99.8% of businesses in the Lone Star State are small businesses, and they drive our state's booming economy," said Governor Abbott. "Already home to three million small businesses that employ nearly half of the Texas workforce, our state is focused on developing an environment where entrepreneurs have the freedom to aspire, grow, and prosper...

Hodges reflects on HCC’s pending move to a new building

Monday, May 02, 2022

By: George Slaughter - Katy Times Next month, Houston Community College’s Katy operation will move from its longtime location at 1550 Foxlake Dr. to a new, 24-acre tract of land at 22910 Colonial Pkwy. Zach Hodges, president of Houston Community College’s Katy campus, reflected on the growth of the Katy operation Tuesday morning at the Katy Area Economic Development Council meeting. He said the meeting was one of the last such meetings to be held at the soon-to-be former campus. Hodges has a unique perspective on HCC’s role in Katy’s growth. He has been president of the college for the past 27 years...

Public input still being sought for US 90 improvement project

Monday, May 02, 2022

By: George Slaughter - Katy Times The Texas Department of Transportation continues to seek public feedback on its proposed US 90 improvement project between Brookshire and Katy. The department on Thursday afternoon held a virtual and public hearing on the project. Comments are still being sought, and can be provided by phone, comment card, email, or regular mail. The project runs for about 10 miles from I-10 to FM 1463, with an existing right-of-way 100 feet wide. The road now has one lane in each direction, with eight-foot-wide shoulders and an open and closed drainage system. Department officials have said US 90 must b...

Houston Community College-Katy prepares to open new campus

Friday, April 29, 2022

By: Sierra Rozen - Community Impact A brand new proximity between Houston Community College-Katy and University of Houston-Victoria at Katy is expected to not only benefit the student community, but also provide an economic boost on the local workforce in Katy, local officials said. “Starting in Katy, ending in Katy,” a slogan college officials introduced in 2017, means students who attend Katy ISD schools will be able to attend the new HCC-Katy campus and could eventually transition to the neighboring UH-V at Katy campus, said Zachary Hodges, president of the HCC Northwest system, which comprises four campuses, including Katy. This initiative is th...

Katy Police Department opens new police substation at Katy Mills during Katy-Area Safety Fest

Friday, April 29, 2022

By: Asia Armour - Community Impact On April 23, the Katy Police Department opened a new substation inside Katy Mills mall by Restoration Hardware at 5000 Katy Mills Circle, Ste. 659, Katy. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was coupled with the annual Katy-Area Safety Fest, where attendees could interact with emergency responders, watch safety demonstrations and learn about emergency services and equipment, such as ladder trucks, ambulances, and helicopter landing and take-off. 281-391-4848. www.cityofkaty.com/government/city-departments/police-department Full Story

Texas Tops 2022 Best & Worst States For Business Survey Of CEOs

Thursday, April 28, 2022

By: Dale Bass - Chief Executive In what’s become an annual rite of spring for our Best & Worst States for Business survey of CEOs, Texas and Florida held on to their No. 1 and No. 2 spots this year, continuing their long-running lock on the top of the rankings. Based on polling of nearly 700 CEOs and business owners from every U.S. state, conducted in January and February 2022, the Lone Star State placed No. 1 again, as it has every year since Chief Executive began the compiling the list in 2001. Their combination of a fast-growth population and a low-tax...

Get a first look at Dig World, a construction-themed amusement park in Katy

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

By: Asia Armour - Community Impact Dig World is a construction-themed amusement park that opened in mid-March as the first of its kind in Texas. Located in Katy, it is strategically plotted in an outside area of Katy Mills mall and within sight of Typhoon Texas water park. Kids of all ages can safely operate real skid steers, utility terrain vehicles and excavators by themselves or with assistance from a parent or guardian. The park also has attractions, including a gem mining station; a turf field with games, such as TowerBall and cornhole; and a playground on its 3.5 acres of land. Owne...

Texas Unemployment Rate Declines to 4.4 Percent, Marking Another Month of Record Employment

Monday, April 18, 2022

By: Texas Workforce Commission Media Contact: Angela Woellner Phone: 512-463-8556 AUSTIN - In March, the seasonally adjusted Texas unemployment rate was 4.4 percent, a decrease of 0.3 percentage points from February 2022, and 2.0 percentage points below the level set one year ago. Texas added 30,100 total nonagricultural jobs in March 2022. For the fifth consecutive month, the state set new employment highs as total nonfarm jobs reached 13,207,600 in March 2022. Texas has added a total of 731,600 positions since March 2021. “We’ve added 152,200 positions so far in 2022, which is more jobs over the first three months than any previous year dating bac...

City officially dedicates Leyendecker Landing water retention facility

Thursday, April 14, 2022

By: George Slaughter - Katy Times Several former mayors joined Mayor Bill Hastings Tuesday for the dedication of Leyendecker Landing, a city water detention facility north of Morton Road and east of Pitts Road. Leyendecker was a longtime city engineer who served in that role for other area cities. He died in December 2020. After Leyendecker’s death, Ward B Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem Doran Dowdle suggested the facility be named in Leyendecker’s honor. Hastings spoke with several former living mayors about the idea, and they were enthusiastic about it. Hastings chaired a former mayors advisory group, comprised of former mayors J.W. “Skip&rdquo...

Katy City Council authorizes use of $2.34M for 6 improvement projects around the city

Monday, April 04, 2022

By: Asia Armour - Community Impact Six improvement projects around Katy worth $2.34 million in construction costs were approved by Katy City Council in a meeting March 28. These projects will address development, transportation and drainage issues. Bids were awarded to several companies, with the city having accepted bids from the middle to the end of February, ARKK Engineer David Kasper said. Kasper provided details on the six projects in a presentation to City Council. The projects are funded by the city's fiscal year 2021-22 general and enterprise funds. Detailed information about each of these projects, such as the type of work, photos, description, fundin...

March 31, 2022 Texas’ economic dominance continues, ranks No. 1 in U.S. in GDP growth

Monday, April 04, 2022

By: Texas EDC Texas, the ninth largest economy in the world according to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), saw a 10.1% increase in the annual rate growth of real GDP in the last quarter of 2021 — compared to the national average of 6.9% — according to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis released March 31. GDP is a measure of the size and strength of an economy. “Thanks to the hardworking people of Texas, the Lone Star State leads the nation with the largest increase in fourth quarter GDP,” said Gov. Greg Abbott. “This achievement is yet another testament to the prosperou...

Cross Creek Ranch in Fulshear begins to fulfill its last 300 acres

Thursday, March 31, 2022

By: Asia Armour - Community Impact Creek Rush is the newest and final neighborhood for Cross Creek Ranch, completing this master-planned community in Fulshear by fulfilling its last 300 acres. Once finished, Creek Rush will accommodate up to 600 homes, according to a press release from Johnson Development Corp., the Houston-based residential and commercial land development company that built Cross Creek Ranch. Creek Rush will contain a range of living spaces from townhomes to 80-foot homesites with models from builders such as Newmark Homes, Lennar, Partners in Building, Chesmar Homes, Highland Homes, Tri Pointe Homes and Perry Homes, according to the release. Eight homebuilder...

Katy’s historic J.V. Cardiff & Sons Rice Dryer begins next chapter with new owner

Monday, March 28, 2022

By: Laura Aebi - Community Impact After being unmaintained for 26 years, the J.V. Cardiff & Sons Rice Dryer—one of three rice dryers in Katy city limits located on Hwy. 90—is about to see a second life. In late 2020, developer Hadi “Andrew” Nurcahya bought the property from an Austin-based developer. Nurcahya said he plans to turn the site into a community-centric gathering space that aims to encourage local economic growth in alignment with historical preservation. While numerous developers have tried to invest in the property, none of those projects moved forward. However, Nurcahya, a Katy-area resident and part-time real estate developer, becam...

Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County moves forward with Inner Katy bus project

Monday, March 28, 2022

By: Sierra Rozen - Community Impact The initial planning for the METRORapid Inner Katy Project will soon come to an end as officials begin the next steps, which include an environmental review and preliminary engineering. The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County board of trustees unanimously approved a locally preferred alternative plan for the project at the March 24 board meeting. The project—planning for which first began in late 2020—involves developing a high-capacity bus rapid transit line from the Northwest Transit Center in uptown to downtown Houston, including the Theater District, Central Station and Convention District, according to previous coverage by Community Impact Newspaper. The project woul...

Memorial Hermann Katy anticipates city's growth with $167M expansion of hospital and services

Thursday, March 24, 2022

By: Asia Armour - Community Impact On March 22, Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital announced a $167 million expansion project that will add 115,000 square feet of new and renovated service areas, as well as 100 beds, a third professional office building and additional parking to support the Greater Katy area’s population growth. The first phase of this expansion is already underway with 80 medical/surgical beds and six antepartum beds being added to the fifth and sixth floors of the hospital’s East Tower, bringing the total number of beds close to 300. Later developments include a doubling in size of the hospital'...

First Texas Construction Themed Amusement Park, Dig World, Opens in Katy on March 17th

Monday, March 14, 2022

KATY, Texas, March 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Dig World, the first heavy construction equipment- themed amusement park in Texas will open on March 17th in Katy, Texas. The park is adjacent to Katy Mills mall, spanning over 3.5 acres. Dig World is designed to safely provide a hands-on experience for both children and adults in operating heavy equipment including full-size Caterpillar Mini-Excavators, Skid Steers and UTVs. Other attractions to the heavy equipment courses at Dig World include a gem mining station, a playground, and a turf field with games such as Cornhole and TowerBall. Dig World will also host group events including corporate outings, birthday parties, and field trips. Th...

Katy ISD celebrates its 90,000th student

Monday, March 14, 2022

By: George Slaughter - Katy Times In 1954, the City of Houston achieved a milestone. Its population reached one million people. To celebrate, civic boosters chose Barney McCasland, a 36-year-old geologist, as the one millionth Houstonian. He and his family were honored, civic leaders joked they had to find the next one million residents, and it was cause for celebration. Now, in 2022, the Katy Independent School District achieved a milestone of its own. Its enrollment reached 90,000 students. Like their Houston predecessors, district officials chose a 90,000th student, and it was also a cause for celebration. Jenna Mohamed Elshantaf, a first grade student a...

Looking forward: Katy City Council to develop 2020-40 comprehensive plan

Monday, March 14, 2022

By: Asia Armour - Community Impact On Feb. 24, members of City Council and the planning and zoning commission called a special meeting to discuss their vision for the next 20 years of Katy’s future. The city’s last comprehensive plan was created in 2000 and spanned 20 years. The context of the new plan is addressing all the development in the pipeline, sustaining the tax base, livability and public safety, and parks bond implementation. These city government officials met with Meredith Dang, AICP, practice leader for community planning at Kendig Keast Collaborative to discuss the data they collected in 2019 to construct Katy’...

College administrators discuss state of higher education in Katy

Monday, March 07, 2022

By: George Slaughter - Katy Times Students returning to Katy-area colleges face issues that require colleges—and the state—to be nimble, local education administrators said. Bob Glenn is president of the University of Houston-Victoria. Zachary Hodges is president of Houston Community College. Seelpa Keshvala is president of Lone Star College’s CyFair campus. Jay Neal is associate vice provost and chief operating officer at the University of Houston-Sugar Land and the University of Houston-Katy. The four participated in a Feb. 17 panel discussion hosted by the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce. Issues like financial insecurity, food scarcity and a lack of child care for student...

Culver's coming soon to Fulshear

Monday, March 07, 2022

By: Sierra Rozen - Community Impact A new Culver's is expected to open in the Fulshear area. An exact opening date for the burger franchise has not been released yet, but construction is expected to finish at the end of May. It will be located on the northeast corner of FM 1093 and Flewellen Way in Fulshear. The restaurant specializes in butter burgers and frozen custards. No phone number is available for this location as of press time. www.culvers.com Full Story

Katy City Council kicks off $33M mobility package

Monday, February 28, 2022

By: Laura Aebi - Community Impact The city of Katy will spend $33 million on nine transportation projects over the next three years that aim to increase mobility, decrease congestion and prepare for growth, officials said. On Jan. 10, Katy City Council approved a $33 million transportation package funded by Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County and the Katy Development Authority. The funding consists of $23.05 million from the city’s General Mobility Program agreement with METRO and $10.47 million from cash funds. “This is a great opportunity for us to do a lot of mobility projects,” Katy City Administrator Byron Hebert said. “We’r...

Cagle reintroduces himself to Katy leaders at EDC meeting

Monday, February 21, 2022

By: George Slaughter - Katy Times Thanks to the recent Harris County Commissioners Court redistricting, Pct. 4 Commissioner R. Jack Cagle and Pct. 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey find themselves seemingly representing each other’s precincts. At a meeting Tuesday, Cagle said the situation reminded him of the 1976 film “Freaky Friday,” in which a mother and daughter awaken one Friday morning to learn they have transferred bodies and traded places. “It happened to Tom and me with our precincts, but I’ve got to say, it’s exciting,” Cagle said. Cagle spoke at the Katy Area Economic Development Council meeting. The meeting was at the Universit...

Historic Fussell House project moves forward in Katy

Monday, February 21, 2022

By: Laura Aebi - Community Impact Katy Katy officials moved forward with plans for the Fussell House, a historic Katy property the city plans on turning into a learning center, at a Feb. 14 City Council meeting. At the meeting, City Council unanimously approved an agreement for architectural design and construction management services for the project, which is located at 5402 Franz Road, Katy. Katy officials announced their plans for the historic 5-acre property at a Dec. 13 City Council meeting. Officials said the rest of the house would function as offices for the city’s parks director as well as the park...

Typhoon Texas hiring for 1,000 summer jobs

Monday, February 21, 2022

By: Holly Galvan - Community Impact As it prepares for the upcoming summer season, Typhoon Texas is accepting online applications for 1,000 part-time seasonal positions. There are seasonal positions available for lifeguards, cash control, food and beverage, front gate, in-park entertainment, park services, maintenance and parking. Individuals can view and apply for available positions at www.typhoontexas.com. The management team will review completed applications submitted via the waterpark’s website with interviews conducted in person. In a press release, Christian Tate, director of human resources for Typhoon Texas, said applicants applying for the first time should highlight their leadership roles in school, volunteer work an...

Groundbreaking expected this summer for Katy Boardwalk Project hotel

Monday, February 14, 2022

By: George Slaughter - Katy Times Officials said groundbreaking for the hotel in the Katy Boardwalk Project is expected this summer, with the hotel expected open for fall convention season in 2024. Katy City Administrator Byron Hebert and Kingham Dalton Wilson President/CEO Keith Dalton shared the latest news about the project at a Feb. 8 meeting of the West I-10 Chamber of Commerce, held at Los Cucos Mexican Restaurant, 5831 Highway Blvd. The Katy Boardwalk Project’s hotel, expected to be a Hilton Curio, has yet to be named. But with the ongoing commercial growth of the Katy area, the city expects the Boardwalk—an...

Texas Ranked Top Exporting State For 20th Consecutive Year

Thursday, February 10, 2022

Release by Office of the Texas Govenor Governor Greg Abbott today issued a statement after the U.S. Census Bureau released data showing Texas as the top exporting state, now for the 20th consecutive year. With more than $375.3 billion in exports in 2021, exceeding both 2019 and 2020 totals, Texas exports again accounted for more than California and New York combined. The Lone Star State also led the nation in tech exports for the ninth year in a row. In total, exports in Texas support nearly 1 million Texas jobs. "Made in Texas is a powerful global brand, and the Lone Sta...

Plans moving forward to expand FM 529

Tuesday, February 08, 2022

By: George Slaughter - Katy Times The public has a Friday deadline to request a public hearing—if set, it would be the third such hearing—to provide input on a plan to expand FM 529 from the Grand Parkway to FM 362. The Texas Department of Transportation’s plan to expand the road, presently a two-lane undivided roadway with four-foot shoulders, with one lane in each direction, has been in development since 2018. Sue Theiss, director for advanced project development for the Texas Department of Transportation, gave a Jan. 6 briefing at the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce describing the department’s plans. Now the deadline fo...

Willow Lane closes for 4 weeks due to construction

Tuesday, February 08, 2022

By: Sierra Rozen - Community Impact Willow Lane, located in Katy, officially closed Feb. 1 to make way for construction. The temporary road closure was unanimously approved at the Feb. 2 Fort Bend County Commissioners Court meeting. The closure is estimated to take about four weeks, according to agenda documents. The construction project aims to expand Katy Flewellen Road from a two-lane road to a four-lane road in order for more cars to be able to drive on the road. The Katy Flewellen expansion begins on Willow Lane and extends to just north of Gaston Road, as previously reported by Community Impact Newspaper. Th...

Katy Area EDC selects new President/CEO

Friday, February 04, 2022

After conducting a nationwide search, the Katy Area Economic Development Council is pleased to announce Chuck Martinez as its new President/CEO. Martinez brings a wealth of experience across all aspects of community economic development and industry engagement, including a network of regional, state, federal and international groups to be an immediate asset to the organization. He joins the Katy Area EDC after serving as Executive Vice President of Business Development at the Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation. Over his 15-years with Brazos Valley EDC, he implemented catalyst initiatives that strengthened location competitiveness as well as attracted and supported startups, commercial rea...

New elementary in Katy ISD named after former educators

Tuesday, February 01, 2022

By: Holly Galvan - Community Impact Two longtime Katy ISD educators, Steve and Elaine Robertson, will have their names proudly displayed at the district's newest elementary school. The District's 44th elementary school was named Steve and Elaine Robertson Elementary School at the board of trustees meeting Jan. 24. Together, the Robertsons have worked in public education for 64 years. In 1985, Steve Robertson began his teaching career in Spring Branch ISD. His passion for school leadership led to positions at Conroe ISD and later KISD, where he served as a principal at elementary, junior high and high schools, and eventually as a...

Regional economic outlook, 2022 Katy Area Development Map discussed at January Katy Area EDC GA meeting

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

Katy Area Economic Development Council kicked off the new year with its January General Assembly meeting on Tuesday, January 18 hosted by Embassy Suites by Hilton Houston West-Katy. Patrick Jankowski, Senior Vice President of Research at the Greater Houston Partnership, provided a look at what is on the horizon for the Greater Houston region economy in 2022. Jankowski noted the economy continues to recover well from COVID-related impacts, and recent surges in case numbers have had minor impact on the region’s economic outlook, particularly hiring trends. Looking ahead at 2022, Jankowski predicts the Houston region will add approximately 75,000 jobs. Overall...

City council approves issuance of $26 million in road bonds

Monday, January 17, 2022

By: George Slaughter - Katy Times The Katy City Council Monday approved the issuance of $26 million worth of bonds to be used in road reconstruction projects around the city. David Kasper, a city engineer who is also a principal at ARKK Engineers, told the council that the bonds would support four projects on the overall mobility plan. The projects are intended to provide drainage, mobility, and traffic improvements, he said. Katy-Hockley Road expansion Kasper said the widening of Katy-Hockley Road from Morton Road to Clay Road involves expanding from a two-lane road to a four-lane concrete roadway with storm sewers. Estimated cost to $7....

Fort Bend County awards contract for right-turn lane construction at Seven Lakes High School

Monday, January 17, 2022

By: Sierra Rozen - Community Impact Fort Bend County has officially selected a construction company to begin work on the right turn lane being installed at South Fry Road. After previously going to bid, Jerdon Enterprise was unanimously chosen at the Jan. 4 Fort Bend County Commissioners Court. The Stafford-based company put forth a bid price of almost $291,000 compared to a budgeted cost of $375,000, according to agenda documents. The county and Jerdon Enterprise will meet in the following weeks to discuss when construction can officially begin, according to Assistant County Engineer Ike Akinwande. Other companies that put forth bids include Green Drea...

Hwy. 36A project to be included in Houston-Galveston Area Council’s long-term transportation plan by mid-2022

Monday, January 17, 2022

By: Andy Yanez - Community Impact The Hwy. 36A project is expected to be added into the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s regional transportation plan by mid-2022, the Highway 36A Coalition announced in a Jan. 4 news release. “We are excited about the inclusion of our projects in the RTP,” Highway 36A Coalition Chair Robert Pechukas said in the release. “Our inclusion in the RTP, along with our ongoing [Texas Department of Transportation] study, shows that we are on the right track when it comes to solving our region’s mobility and freight movement needs." The announcement comes after the H-GAC Director of Transportation Craig Rabor...

Katy City Council approves Pitts Road realignment project

Monday, January 17, 2022

By: Laura Aebi - Community Impact Katy City Council approved bond funds for a realignment project at Pitts Road and Morton Road at its Jan. 10 meeting. The project is one of four initiatives being funded by the release of Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County bond funds, which total $23 million. This project will align the new Pitts Road in Cane Island with the existing Pitts Road north of Morton Road. The scope of work will include a new concrete boulevard, a traffic signal and a storm sewer system. On Jan. 7, the Katy Development Authority approved the sale of the bonds...

Katy's State of the City event covers mobility, development, parks

Monday, January 17, 2022

By: Laura Aebi - Community Impact Katy officials discussed mobility, development, the city's comprehensive plan and its parks plan as topics to watch in 2022 at its annual State of the City event, hosted by the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 13. Heading into 2022, the city has big plans for mobility updates, officials said at the event. After City Council approved $33 million in transportation funding from the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County and Katy Development Authority funds for a series of transportation projects, the city will execute nine transportation projects throughout the city; $23.05 million of fundin...

Regional mobility in 2022: Q&A with Andrea French, executive director of Transportation Advocacy Group-Houston

Tuesday, January 11, 2022

By: Vanessa Holt - Community Impact Community Impact Newspaper spoke with Andrea French, executive director of Transportation Advocacy Group-Houston Region, a coalition of businesses, nonprofits and other entities, about transportation issues the group is watching in 2022. TAG-Houston advocates for transportation infrastructure funding. In what ways can multiple governing entities collaborate to move transportation projects forward in 2022? Roads don’t end at county lines, at city lines; you would be hard pressed to find a road project that doesn’t cross over multiple districts or precincts. The ability to work together is critical. I think it’s challenging when you have counties that are simila...

Fort Bend County awards over $11M in grant funds to local nonprofits

Tuesday, January 04, 2022

By: Sierra Rozen - Community Impact Fort Bend County has awarded almost $11.5 million in grant funds to various nonprofits throughout the county. The nonprofits awarded grant funds were announced during a Dec. 21 press conference by Fort Bend County judge KP George along with county commissioners. The county awarded 23 of the 38 nonprofits funds that will split up over the course of 2022 and 2023, while the remaining 15 were awarded their entire grant amount for 2022. The grant funds were finalized at the Dec. 21 Commissioners Court meeting. The funds are meant to help nonprofits that were affected by the COVID-1...

Katy Flewellen Road undergoes expansion from two to four lanes

Tuesday, January 04, 2022

By: Sierra Rozen - Community Impact Katy Flewellen Road is set to expand from two lanes into a four-lane concrete boulevard, according to Fort Bend County. The project, which aims to increase mobility in the area, began construction in January and paused in November. It is expected to be completed in May. “There was a pause due to some utility issues, but we’ve gotten all those issues resolved, so our estimated completion is May of 2022,” Assistant County Engineer Ike Akinwande said. The project aims to increase the number of cars that can drive on the road. Currently the road has one lane goin...

U-Haul Growth Index: Texas is the No. 1 Growth State of 2021

Tuesday, January 04, 2022

By: U-Haul Migration to southern states continues to be magnified by the lingering pandemic, and no state netted more U-Haul® customers during the last year than Texas. The Lone Star State earned bragging rights as the leading growth state of 2021, narrowly besting Florida for tops honors, according to transactional data compiled for the annual U-Haul Growth Index. Tennessee ranks third, South Carolina fourth and Arizona fifth among the top growth states. Growth states are calculated by the net gain of one-way U-Haul trucks entering a state versus leaving that state in a calendar year. Migration trends data is compiled from well over 2 million one-wa...

6 new restaurants in Katy now open or coming soon

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

By: Community Impact Curious about restaurants in Katy now open or coming soon? Check out the newest restaurants in Katy or several coming soon below: A new JLB Eatery is expected to open this month in Katy. The new location will be at 5815 Franz Road, Katy, and is replacing the old Church's Chicken. JLB Eatery also has locations in Tomball, Houston and Cypress. The restaurant sells a variety of burgers as well as sides of french fries, onion rings, tater tots and sweet potato fries. No phone number was available as of press time. www.thejlbeatery.com Clean Juice Morton Ranch is expected to hav...

Fort Bend County to construct right-turn lane near Seven Lakes High School to ease congestion

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

By: Sierra Rozen - Community Impact Editor's note: The construction for this project was initially estimated to begin in the first quarter of 2022. It is now expected to begin in June of 2022. The story has been updated to reflect this. A right-turn lane will be constructed at South Fry Road to turn onto Katy Gaston Road in Katy to help ease traffic congestion in front of Seven Lakes High School. The construction is estimated to cost $375,000 and was previously expected to start construction in the first quarter of 2022. Currently, it is now expected to start construction in June o...

Cinco Ranch among best places to live in the Greater Houston area

Friday, December 03, 2021

By: Sierra Rozen - Community Impact A recent ranking by Niche has named the Cinco Ranch neighborhood and the city of Sugar Land among the top 10 places to live in the Greater Houston area. Niche, a ranking and review site, based the ranking on factors such as cost of living, schools, health care, recreation and weather, according to the website. Sugar Land ranked fourth on the list, while Cinco Ranch came in at second; Cinco Ranch followed The Woodlands, which Niche ranked the best place to live. Many of the schools in these areas have also received an A-plus ranking from Niche base...

Katy ISD trustees approve design, addition for Katy Elementary School

Friday, December 03, 2021

By: Laura Aebi - Community Impact Katy ISD's board of trustees unanimously voted to approve the redesign of Katy Elementary School, located at 5726 George Bush Drive, Katy, at their Nov. 15 meeting. The proposed design shared by Kirksey Architecture at the meeting included major changes to both the interior and the exterior of the building, including a new two-story addition on the property and a new entry, enlarging the library, adding collaboration spaces, replacing the electric system and more. "We have been so fortunate [to] be involved with the district and the architect team, and to create a design that w...

Katy area nonprofits spotlighted at November GA meeting

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Two Katy area nonprofits, Katy Christian Ministries and The Ballard House, served as headline presenters at the November Katy Area Economic Development Council General Assembly meeting which took place at Embassy Suites by Hilton Houston West-Katy on Tuesday, November 16. The two organizations provided members and guests with an overview of the work of their organizations and impact on the Katy area community. Deysi Crespo, Executive Director of Katy Christian Ministries, discussed the mission of the nonprofit which has become well-known for its contributions to the Katy area community. The organization has four key areas of focus: • Social Services – addressing basi...

Katy ranked as best place to retire in Texas in new study

Friday, November 19, 2021

By: Sierra Rozen - Community Impact A recent study found the city of Katy is the best city in which to retire in Texas. The study was conducted by SmartAsset, a financial technology company, and was released via email Nov. 18. According to the release, the study takes into account a city’s tax friendliness, availability of medical care and social opportunities for senior citizens. Per the website, SmartAsset's methodology included examining income and sales tax to determine a tax burden for someone who earns $35,000 annually as a retiree. It also measured the amount of seniors in each city compared to the tota...

City of Katy purchases land, historic Fussell Home as part of future master parks plan

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

By: Sierra Rozen - Community Impact The city of Katy is one step closer toward a new parks administration building after purchasing 1.42 acres of land located at 5402 Franz Road, which will be incorporated into the city's master parks plan that is being developed. The purchase was unanimously approved on Nov. 1 at a Katy City Council special session, with the city using roughly $350,000 in reserve funds for the land, according to agenda documents. Some items included in the purchase was the historic Fussell Home, open space, park equipment, a parking lot and legacy oak trees, Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harri...

Katy City Council approves water projects, facility repairs

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

By: R. Hans Miller - Katy Times Katy City Council authorized Mayor Bill Hastings to sign an agreement with ARKK Engineers for engineering design, repair and construction services for the rehabilitation of the water tanks at Katy’s Water Plant No. 6 at 27515 Highway Blvd. for about $1.6 million during their only regular November meeting. Funding for the project will come from the city’s Enterprise Fund, which may only be used for waterworks projects, City Administrator Byron Hebert said. Once constructed, the water tower will get a mural of geese following the same design as the ones by the Katy Police Departmen...

New Katy retail development The Shops at Ventana Lakes expected to break ground in 2022

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

By: Sierra Rozen - Community Impact Construction on The Shops at Ventana Lakes, a new retail development in Katy, is expected to break ground at the end of the first quarter of 2022. The development will be located near the northeast corner of Stockdick School Road and Peek Road, near Patricia E. Paetow High School and Stockdick Junior High School. After breaking ground in 2022, the stores are expected to open early in the third quarter of 2023, according to Jason Gaines, senior vice president at NAI Partners, a commercial real estate agency. Phase 1 consists of 15,000 square feet available for lease...

Boardwalk Lofts open at Katy Boardwalk District

Wednesday, November 03, 2021

By: Laura Aebi - Community Impact The apartment complex located in the Katy Boardwalk District has officially opened, according to a Nov. 1 press release. Boardwalk Lofts—developed by Sueba USA—houses 319 units with one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans. Located at 122 Lakeview Way, Katy, the apartment complex is one part of the Katy Boardwalk District, a 90-acre development that will feature retail space, a nature preserve, offices, and a hotel and conference center near Katy Mills. The four-story mid-rise complex features 16 floor plans—ranging from 480 square feet to 2,087 square feet—as well as a pool, a spa, an athletic center, ...

Katy ISD dedicates Martha Lopez Aki Building

Wednesday, November 03, 2021

By: Laura Aebi - Community Impact Almost two years after the facility was initially funded and seven months after the building was completed, Katy ISD officials dedicated the Martha Lopez Aki Building—or Martha Lopez Aki Early Childhood Intervention Project Teach Your Kids Early Facility—formerly the L.D. Robinson Pavilion Agriculture Facility, on Oct. 18. The facility, located at 6361 S. Stadium Lane, Katy, houses two purposes for the district. One program made possible through the facility is the Project TYKE—Teach Your Kids Early—program, which provides education for parents of children with special needs. The second use of the building is as a professiona...

Katy focuses on public safety, recovery in fiscal year 2021-22 budget

Monday, November 01, 2021

By: Laura Aebi - Community Impact The city of Katy’s fiscal year 2021-22 budget focuses on street rehabilitation, park improvements and public safety with new staff added to the police, fire and animal control departments. The city will spend 6.2% more than last year on the Katy Fire Department and Katy Police Department, 40% more on funding for drainage and street projects, and 19% more for park improvements, Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris said in an email. The $34.5 million general fund budget, passed at a Sept. 27 City Council meeting, also features raises for city employees. The city is anticipating to receiv...

Katy-area’s first Korean spa offers traditional services and modern amenities

Monday, November 01, 2021

By: Laura Aebi - Community Impact Since it opened in September 2020, Spa World has been attracting visitors from all over the state, said Phillip Phan, Spa World’s sales and events manager. As the first Korean spa in the Katy-area, Spa World offers many traditional services, such as saunas and body treatments—but it also has more modern offerings, such as virtual golf, a movie theater and karaoke. According to Phan, the amenities and attractions aim to meet Spa World’s slogan, "more than you expected”. “Essentially, it’s just all of the amenities you need to really make a home away from home,” Pha...

EastGroup Properties Breaks Ground on 120,600 SF Industrial Project in Metro Houston

Thursday, October 28, 2021

By: Taylor Williams - Rebusiness Online KATY, TEXAS — EastGroup Properties, a Mississippi-based REIT, has broken ground on Grand West Crossing 1, a 120,600-square-foot industrial project in the western Houston suburb of Katy. The building, which will be situated within a larger Grand West Crossing master-planned development, will feature 28-foot clear heights and proximity to Interstate 10 and State Highway 290. JLL is marketing the building for lease. Construction is scheduled for a second-quarter 2022 completion. The master plan for Grand West Crossing includes five additional buildings or build-to-suit opportunities. Full Story

LaCour and Lombard honored with Stanley Awards at Katy Area EDC October GA

Monday, October 25, 2021

Embassy Suites by Hilton Houston West-Katy played host to the October Katy Area Economic Development Council General Assembly meeting on Tuesday, October 19. Two longtime Katy Area EDC employees, Lance LaCour and Frank Lombard, were recognized for their service to the organization. Flood mitigation and resiliency was also discussed by two experts in the area. Headlining the meeting was a surprise presentation of the annual Stan C. Stanley “Eagle” Leadership and Economic Development Awards to Lance LaCour and Frank Lombard. LaCour has been with the organization since 2005 as President/CEO and will be departing his role at the end of th...

Thomason appointed interim Katy Area EDC President/CEO

Wednesday, October 06, 2021

The Katy Area Economic Development Council Board of Governors has appointed Angie Thomason as interim Katy Area EDC President/CEO effective Friday, October 29.

Katy area, Fort Bend County see notable increase in Asian population, data shows

Monday, October 04, 2021

By: Rynd Morgan - Community Impact New census data shows the Asian population in Fort Bend County and in Katy has significantly increased in the past decade. Local experts said this is driven by new construction in the area, desirable school districts and a growing number of businesses catering to the Asian community—as more than a dozen Asian-catering businesses have opened in the Katy area this year, according to new businesses confirmed by Community Impact Newspaper’s monthly reporting. Fort Bend County has Texas’ highest proportion of Asian residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 data released mid-August. The county’s Asian population made u...

Katy City Council approves $34.5 million budget, maintains same property tax rate

Monday, October 04, 2021

By: Rynd Morgan - Community Impact The city of Katy approved its $34.5 million budget at a Sept. 27 City Council meeting. The city also approved a property tax rate of $0.447168 per $100 valuation for fiscal year 2021-22, which is the same as the fiscal year 2020-21 tax rate. Of the $0.447168 total tax rate, $0.083633 will go toward debt service, and $0.363535 will fund maintenance and operation expenditures. Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris thanked city staff for their work on the budget at the City Council meeting. “Even with the current issues throughout the nation and the pandemic, we were able t...

Presentation by Fort Bend County Judge KP George highlights September GA meeting

Friday, October 01, 2021

Katy Area Economic Development Council welcomed members and guests to its September General Assembly hosted by Aloft Katy on Tuesday, September 21. Fort Bend County Judge KP George served as the keynote presenter for the event which was followed by the first ever Katy Area Business Opportunity Conference. Judge KP George took office in January 2019 following several years of service on the Fort Bend ISD School Board. George oversees county operations which include over 3,000 employees and a budget of roughly $400 million. Recently, Fort Bend County has been recognized as one of the fastest growing counties in the countr...

Comcast Rise Investment Fund to award small business grants in Harris, Fort Bend counties

Monday, September 27, 2021

By: Rynd Morgan - Community Impact Comcast announced it will award $1 million to small businesses owned by people of color in Harris and Fort Bend counties in a Sept. 16 press release. This effort is part of the Comcast Rise Investment Fund program, a multiyear, multifaceted initiative launched in late 2020 to support small businesses owned by people of color. Beginning Oct. 1, small businesses owned by people of color in Harris and Fort Bend counties can apply for 100 grants of $10,000 each. Applications must be received by Oct. 14. As part of the company’s initial Comcast Rise Investment Fund program...

Katy Boardwalk District announces 'refined' site plan in fall, tenants in 2022

Monday, September 27, 2021

By: Laura Aebi - Community Impact Plans for the Katy Boardwalk District will be seeing a few changes, officials said in a Sept. 23 press release. According to the release, a refined site plan for the project is expected to be released this fall—with an announcement of the district’s first tenants expected to come in early 2022. Katy Boardwalk District’s development team said in the release that it is still continuing to focus on attracting “chef-driven restaurants and unique, first-to-market entertainment concepts” while working to enhance the property’s overall site plan. “The impact of COVID-19 gave us extra time to re-evaluate the sit...

How population changed in Texas counties between census counts in 2010, 2020

Thursday, September 23, 2021

By: Valerie Wigglesworth - Community Impact The latest Census data shows that 111 of the 254 counties in Texas gained in population since the last count in 2010. The greatest growth was concentrated among the state's urban areas of Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, Houston and San Antonio, data showed. In total, Texas added nearly four million people between 2010 and 2020. That amounts to a nearly 16% growth, according to the data. Hays County tops the list with 53% growth between the two census counts. That county south of Austin went from 157,107 residents to 241,067 residents in the latest census. Other counties in th...

New Available Space at G-Tech Innovation Center

Friday, September 17, 2021

Fort Bend County launches “Get Hired” program

Monday, September 13, 2021

By: Rynd Morgan - Community Impact Fort Bend County Judge KP George announced the launch of a “Get Hired” program, aimed to help small businesses and nonprofits in Fort Bend County, at a Sept. 8 press conference. The “Get Hired” incentive program is a county initiative that will offer employers hiring incentives to attract employees and encourage those individuals to stay employed by paying incentives after 90 days of continuous employment, according to a county press release. The program is funded by American Rescue Plan Act funds. George said the program would help business owners not only hire new employees, but retain the...

UHV-Katy staffer earns national Latino leadership award

Monday, September 13, 2021

By: R. Hans Miller - Katy Times Karla DeCuir, University of Houston-Victoria Katy senior director of enrollment management and external affairs, is one of 26 people across the nation as a National Latino Leader, according to a UHV-Katy press release. “I am extremely honored to be recognized as one of the Latino Leaders this year,” DeCuir said. “It is a privilege to be among so many great leaders from different areas of business in the country, and I love helping other Latinos achieve success in their fields.” DeCuir will be presented with the award during the sixth annual National Latino leadership Conference whic...

Commissioner Tom Ramsey, growing R&D company headline Katy Area EDC August GA meeting

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Katy Area Economic Development Council hosted its August General Assembly meeting on Tuesday, August 17 at the Omni Houston Hotel at Westside. The meeting featured keynote presentations from Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey and Kent Kvaal President/General Manager of TSRC Specialty Materials. Commissioner Tom Ramsey was elected to his position in 2020 and brings a history of public sector experience to his role. Prior to his current position, Ramsey served as Mayor of Spring Valley Village from 2012-2020. Ramsey, a longtime civil engineer, has put his engineering experience to use in helping advocate for infrastructure projects within Harris Count...

SBA Announces Moratorium on Bona Fide Place of Business Requirements for the 8(a) Business Development Program

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

The U.S. Small Business Administration today announced a moratorium on the requirement that participants in SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program must establish a bona fide place of business in a specific geographic area in order to be awarded any construction contract through the 8(a) Program due to the ongoing challenges of COVID-19. The moratorium is effective August 25, 2021, and applies to all 8(a) construction contracts offered to the 8(a) Program between August 25, 2021, and September 30, 2022. “The SBA is committed to finding innovative ways to assist small businesses, particularly small disadvantaged businesses that have been historically underserved,” sai...

Kingsland Boulevard to see new stop signs near Katy Boardwalk development

Friday, August 27, 2021

By: Rynd Morgan - Community Impact The city of Katy approved the addition of four new stop signs in the Katy Boardwalk area during a Katy City Council meeting Aug. 23. The stop signs will be added at the intersections of Lakeview Way and Kingsland Boulevard, and Lakeview Way and Boardwalk Drive; Prairie Parkway and Kingsland Boulevard, and Prairie Parkway and Boardwalk Drive; Boardwalk Drive and Prairie Parkway; and Boardwalk Drive and Lakeview Way, according to city documents. The motion passed unanimously. The Katy Boardwalk area, located south of I-10, has been under development since 2015 and broke ground in 2017. The developmen...

2021's Top 10 Retail Experiences: No. 6 La Centerra At Cinco Ranch

Friday, August 20, 2021

By: Chain Store Age In the Houston suburb of Katy, packed with lots of people and lots of retail, La Centerra is an outdoor center with incredible space, a wide variety of stores and restaurants, a public park, and a clock tower that guides guests to the site from as far as 10 miles away. “There’s a great mixture of uses at La Centerra, and a lot of open spaces,” said Josh Poag, CEO of Poag Shopping Centers, which acquired La Centerra in 2017. “During the pandemic, all of the restaurants got quickly engaged in doing takeout orders. People were lined up...

Texas Heritage Parkway set to open Friday

Thursday, August 19, 2021

By: R. Hans Miller, News Editor - Katy Times Fort Bend County Commissioner for Precinct 3 Andy Meyers announced Monday that the long-awaited Texas Heritage Parkway will open Friday, Aug. 20 at 10 a.m. The roadway is a joint effort with the Texas Department of Transportation, Fort Bend County, Waller County and the cities of Fulshear and Katy paying for portions of the construction with additional resources provided by subdivision developers in the area. “The Kingsland to I-10 segment is the last bit of the (Texas Heritage Parkway) that is still being constructed, but all vehicles will have access to 10, th...

Katy Mills is future home to Texas' first construction theme park

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

By: Laura Aebi - Community Impact Katy will be the home of Dig World—Texas’ first all-ages, construction-themed adventure park—in a “few months,” according to an Aug. 18 announcement from Dig World. The 3.5-acre park will feature real, heavy construction equipment–such as excavators, skid steers, UTVs and more—for both adults and children to operate. Located near Katy Mills, the attraction is expected to host 100,000 guests in its first year, according to the statement. “At Katy Mills, we are committed to growing, evolving and supporting what the community needs,” said Lisa Connolly, Katy Mills' director of marketing and business development. “Dig World will surel...

Harris County Flood Control District receives nearly $250M for sediment removal

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

By: Danica Lloyd - Community Impact The Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded the Harris County Flood Control District nearly $250 million in federal funds for sediment removal in eight watersheds, officials announced in an Aug. 9 news release. Sediment that was deposited during flooding from Hurricane Harvey will be removed from the Willow Creek, White Oak Bayou, Spring Creek, Little Cypress Creek, Greens Bayou, Cypress Creek, Barker Reservoir and Addicks Reservoir watersheds. "This award allows us to continue the huge task of removing sediment from flood control district channels. It is estimated that more than 2.13 million cubic yards of sediment accumulated i...

Harris County to launch $30M small-business relief fund Sept. 20

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

By: Danica Lloyd - Community Impact Small businesses throughout Harris County that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic will soon be able to apply for grants ranging from $5,000-$25,000. The new $30 million relief fund is subsidized by the American Rescue Plan Act Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. County commissioners unanimously approved Aug. 10 a partnership with LiftFund, an independent nonprofit that provides loans for entrepreneurs. This organization will help manage the program and help business owners apply, according to Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. She said at a press conference that small-business revenue is down 38% since January 2020, according t...

KISD schools recognized for energy conservation, saving district millions

Monday, August 09, 2021

By: Savannah Kuchar - Community Impact Multiple Katy ISD campuses have earned Energy Star certification by the Environmental Protection Agency. Among these were 19 Katy elementary schools, four junior high schools and Tompkins High School. According to a KISD press release, efforts by these schools has saved the district over $4 million in what would be energy and water usage, money that can then be redirected to the classroom. “Through approved bond projects, the Katy ISD Operations Division has been able to install new equipment that is both energy-efficient and more reliable for campuses and district facilities,” said Ted Vierling, chief operations office...

Land Tejas to bring on 15 homebuilders for Sunterra development

Monday, August 09, 2021

By: Laura Aebi - Community Impact Land Tejas will be bringing on 15 different homebuilders for the first phase of Sunterra, a Katy development with a 3.5-acre Crystal Lagoons amenity, according to an Aug. 5 press release from Sunterra. Builders for the 1,039-acre development include Adams Homes, Ashton Woods Homes, CastleRock Communities, Chesmar Homes, Colina Homes, DR Horton, Empire Communities, Gehan Homes, Hamilton Thomas Homes, Highland Homes, HistoryMaker Homes, Perry Homes, Pulte Homes, Shea Homes and Westin Homes. “We’re excited to have so many well-known and reputable home builders opening in the first phase of development in Sunterra,” said James Henrie, partner an...

Roundabout plan aims to increase safety, decrease congestion

Monday, August 02, 2021

By: Morgan Theophil - Community Impact Fort Bend County officials are implementing a new roundabout initiative in Precinct 3 to increase safety and ease congestion. As Precinct 3 becomes more dense, officials are seeing more intersections with high crash rates or that lack a traffic-control device and could use a traffic-calming measure, said Robert Pechukas, manager of policy and administration with the precinct. Thus, the county is working to implement changes and prefer roundabouts for several reasons, Pechukas said. The design of a roundabout limits T-bone collisions, which improves safety as most of the remaining accidents are less dangerous sideswipes, Pechukas said. Additionally, signal...

MD Anderson again ranks No. 1 in cancer by U.S. News & World Report

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

MD Anderson News Release July 26, 2021 The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center again has been named No. 1 in cancer in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2021-2022 annual “Best Hospitals” rankings. Since the ranking's inception in 1990, the institution has been selected as one of the top two hospitals for cancer in the country. “This year’s ranking is especially rewarding considering the exceptional teamwork and collaboration we have seen throughout our institution during an unprecedented pandemic that created heightened risks for immunocompromised cancer patients,” said Peter WT Pisters, M.D., president of MD Anderson. “No matter the challenge, w...

UH-Victoria's psychology program receives national accreditation

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

By: Laura Aebi - Community Impact The University of Houston-Victoria’s Specialist in School Psychology program received its national accreditation from The National Association of School Psychologists in July—making it one of only 13 Texas universities accredited by the association. The accreditation “will help the university recruit new students and streamline the professional certification process for the program’s graduates,” university officials said in a press release. “This is a historic accomplishment for the School of Arts & Sciences because school psychology is the first nationally accredited program in the school,” said Craig Goodman, dean of the UHV School of Arts & Sciences. “Doctors [Elise...

SBA Program Helps to Revitalize Restaurants in Houston

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Release provided by SBA The $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund provided much-needed relief to an industry that saw the negative impacts of the pandemic early on. Restaurants, bars, food trucks, and other food establishments were able to access grant funding to cover certain expenses like payroll and rent through the SBA program. In Houston, over 1,900 businesses received funding totaling more than $498 million with an average award amount of $258K. “The injection of $498 million from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund has helped to uplift an industry that generates billions of dollars to the Houston economy every year. With its closure, th...

Katy Area Business Opportunity Center aims to assist Katy area minority-owned and women-owned businesses

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

A website dedicated to highlighting and providing assistance to Katy area minority-owned and women-owned businesses was recently launched by the Katy Area Economic Development Council. The newly created website can be found at katyareabusinessopportunitycenter.com. Organized by the Katy Area Economic Development Council’s Diversity Committee, the website provides a Minority and Women's Business Directory for businesses located in the zip codes that include and touch Katy and Cy-Fair ISD areas. It also aims to advance the mission and vision of the committee in areas including but not limited to helping minority and women's businesses seek and obtain HUB (Historically and Underutilized Business) an...

Governor Abbott Lauds Lone Star State’s Jobs Surge

Monday, July 19, 2021

July 16, 2021 | Austin, Texas | Press Release Governor Greg Abbott today issued a statement following the Texas Workforce Commission’s (TWC) release of June employment numbers showing continued economic expansion as Texas employers added 55,800 jobs over the month, marking job growth in 13 of the last 14 months, as the unemployment rate dropped to 6.5 percent as more Texans jumped back into the job market. “The Texas economy is booming. Businesses are investing in the Lone Star State at a record pace because we've built a framework that allows free enterprise to flourish and hardworking Texans to prosper,” said Governo...

Oil's Well!

Monday, July 19, 2021

By: Dr. M. Ray Perryman - The Perryman Group Published in syndication July 14, 2021 The energy sector remains a key driver of the Texas economy. It dominates state exports; drilling, production, transportation, and processing activity involve substantial investments; and the massive supply chain has been entrenched and expanding for over a century. Although the Texas economy is diverse and multifaceted, oil and gas and related activity from exploration through shipping comprise about 13-14% of overall business activity. The pandemic spawned sheer chaos in oil markets, with prices falling from the upper $50s per barrel to the mid-teens just two months later. I...

Cinco Ranch team CRyptonite wins second overall at the UIL Robotics State Championship

Monday, July 12, 2021

By: Savannah Kuchar - Community Impact A team of students from Cinco Ranch High School in Katy ISD earned multiple distinctions at this year's For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology UIL Robotics State Championship. Team 624 CRyptonite was one of 73 other teams, divided between two divisions, who participated in the FIRST Robotics Competition at the Alamodome in San Antonio June 15-17. The Cinco Ranch team was named first runner-up in the state, and as a finalist in their Lone Star division, they went on to compete against winners from the Bluebonnet division and earn the distinction of overall state finalists. “Th...

No Label Brewing Co. recognized in international contest for pandemic efforts

Monday, July 12, 2021

By: Morgan Theophil - Community Impact No Label Brewing Co. in Katy took home two awards during the international Craft Beer Marketing Awards for its COVID-19 face mask design and charity promotions during the pandemic. The Craft Beer Marketing Awards, which was established in 2019, is a worldwide competition that focuses on excellence in the artistic and creative marketing and packaging efforts of breweries, designers and agencies' craft beer, according to a press release. The CBMAs accepted entries from around the globe from five regions. A total of 196 awards were presented to winning brewers, designers and marketing agencies from around the world. “Ou...

City eyes late summer opening for portion of Katy Boardwalk District

Wednesday, July 07, 2021

By: Laura Aebi - Community Impact Even during the pandemic, Katy Boardwalk District projects did not stop, Katy City Administrator Byron Hebert said. The project was first discussed in October 2015. Once completed, the district will be located off of Kingsland Blvd., south of Katy Freeway near Katy Mills. It will feature a nature preserve, multifamily housing and a hotel. “The Katy Boardwalk District will be a game-changer for the area,” said Keith Dalton of KBH Ventures, the development team behind the district, in an email. “As a new lakefront destination, Katy Boardwalk District will be master planned as a hub fo...

Q&A with Katy Area EDC President Lance LaCour

Wednesday, July 07, 2021

By: R. Hans Miller - Katy Times, News Editor The Katy Area Economic Development Council’s motto is “energy grows here” and KEDC President Lance LaCour and his team are working on several projects to make that motto a reality. LaCour says the goal is to continue to build the economy of the area and bring good jobs for area residents as Katy continues to grow. Over the past year, the EDC has advocated on multiple occasions for assistance for local businesses as they faced the economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and continued to work on projects to build the region from a...

Riders will soon have access to free Wi-Fi systemwide on METRO vehicles

Wednesday, July 07, 2021

By: Andy Yanez - Community Impact Riders of the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County will soon have a new accommodation when traveling on its transportation vehicles: access to free Wi-Fi. "It's something we've been looking at for a couple of years now," METRO Chief Information Officer Denise Wendler said in a news release. “We’re excited to finally expand this service throughout our fleet." To use the free Wi-Fi, METRO riders will see "ridemetro-wifi" as an option from a list of available connections and will need to put in their email address and approve METRO’s terms and conditions, according to the release. METRO’s additio...

UHV named top college choice in Katy

Monday, June 28, 2021

Release Provided by UHV Readers of the Katy Times have named the University of Houston-Victoria a top choice to attend college in the Katy area. The university received a top spot this week in the 2021 Katy Times’ Best of Katy readers’ choice awards contest in the Best College category. The university has been named a top choice by Katy Times readers for several years. “It is a humbling and wonderful feeling for the university to receive this recognition and support from the Katy community,” said Chance Glenn, UHV provost and vice president for academic affairs. “UHV is proud to be a par...

Overview: American Rescue Plan Act and Harris County

Friday, June 25, 2021

Click Here to Learn More About the American Rescue Plan and What it Means for Harris County

Katy Wild West Brewfest founder discusses upcoming 2021 event, impact on Katy area at GA meeting

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Katy Area Economic Development Council welcomed members and guests to its monthly general assembly meeting on Tuesday, June 14 hosted by Embassy Suites by Hilton Houston West - Katy. The meeting, which was streamed for virtual attendees as well, featured a presentation from Katy Wild West Brewfest. David Loesch, founder of Katy Wild West Brewfest, provided an overview of the event which has become a Katy area staple. Since its inception 10 years ago, the beer festival has grown tremendously and so has its impact on the Katy area. The event has grown from 1,000 attendees to over 10,000. To date...

Fort Bend Entrepreneur initiative provides assistance to hundreds of small businesses

Thursday, June 17, 2021

By: Morgan Theophil - Community Impact Nearly 700 Fort Bend County small businesses have received free one-on-one coaching designed to help them stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic through the county's Fort Bend Entrepreneur program. Stephen Carter, co-owner of consulting group Carter Brothers, which partnered with the county to run the initiative, presented an update on the program to Fort Bend County commissioners at their June 8 meeting. The program started last July with the goal to provide educational and coaching services to businesses in the county that were adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Carter said. At the time, the goal was to assist 400 businesses...

Nearly $400M project to boost Houston-area water supply by up to 500M gallons a day

Thursday, June 17, 2021

By: Emma Whalen - Community Impact A recently completed water supply project will help meet growing demand in the Greater Houston area, officials announced June 15. The Luce Bayou Interbasin Transfer Project will supply Lake Houston and the Northeast Water Purification Plant with an additional 240 million gallons of water per day from the Trinity River. Eventually, it could supply up to 500 million gallons of water per day, officials said. “The Luce Bayou Interbasin Transfer Project is helping to meet water supply demands of a growing population,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said at a ribbon-cutting for the project. “The [project] is a testament to our region’...

Texas Wins Ninth Gold Shovel Award For Job Creation And Business Investments

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

June 14, 2021 | Austin, Texas | Press Release Governor Greg Abbott today announced that Texas is again recognized with a Gold Shovel Award by Area Development magazine for leading among the most populous states in attracting high-value business investments in 2020 that will create a significant number of new jobs in communities across the state. This is the ninth year Texas has won a Gold Shovel Award. "It’s no surprise that Texas continues to lead the nation in job creation and economic expansion," said Governor Abbott. “The Lone Star State offers innovative businesses the freedom to flourish with our pro-growth economic policies...

New Katy ISD elementary school coming to Cane Island community

Monday, June 14, 2021

By: Morgan Theophil - Community Impact The Katy master-planned community Cane Island will add an on-site Katy ISD elementary school scheduled to open in the fall of 2022, according to a press release. The elementary school will be located at 7400 Innovation Drive near Cane Island Parkway, within walking distance for Cane Island residents, the release said. The district is expected to announce a name for the new school in the coming months. “As the primary driver of new home sales north of I-10, we knew it was just a matter of time before we could open an on-site elementary school right her...

UHV to offer new concentrations in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science

Thursday, June 10, 2021

Release by UHV Beginning this fall, undergraduate and graduate students majoring in computer information systems at the University of Houston-Victoria can take new degree concentrations in the latest technologies, including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and data science. Students earning a bachelor’s degree will be able to select from concentrations in cybersecurity or data science, while those earning a master’s degree can choose from cybersecurity, data science and artificial intelligence concentrations. “There is a shortage of college graduates equipped with these skills, which are in high demand across almost all industries,” said Yun Wan, chair of the UHV computer science division and professor of compute...

Cane Island announces addition of 152 homesites

Wednesday, June 02, 2021

By: Laura Aebi - Community Impact The Katy master-planned community of Cane Island has opened three new sections of its popular 50-foot homesites. The sections will bring 152 additional three-, four- and five-bedroom family homes from David Weekley Homes and Perry Homes. “The 50-foot homesites are among our top sellers,” says Lawren Eckhardt, Cane Island director of marketing. “They provide buyers with the ability to design a large family room on a smaller, more affordable footprint.” David Weekley homes will start in the $349,000s while Perry homes are priced from the $370,000s, respectively. New move-in ready homes from both builders will become availabl...

Harris County Precinct 3 opens Steve Radack Community Center

Wednesday, June 02, 2021

By: Danic Lloyd - Community Impact Officials with Harris County Precinct 3 held a grand opening May 27 for the Steve Radack Community Center at 18650 Clay Road, Houston. The new facility was built above the flood plain to replace the Bear Creek Community Center, which was damaged beyond repair in Hurricane Harvey. The project cost nearly $7 million and was funded by Precinct 3 and federal Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds, officials said. It is named after the precinct’s former commissioner of more than 30 years. Radack was the first Harris County commissioner to establish senior education centers, and official...

Upcoming Greenbusch Road project to improve mobility, give ‘old, old road’ an upgrade

Wednesday, June 02, 2021

By: Morgan Theophil - Community Impact An upcoming project to repair and widen Greenbusch Road will improve mobility and provide a much-needed facelift to one of the oldest roads in Fort Bend County, according to county officials. The upcoming project, which aims to improve mobility in the area, will construct a four-lane concrete road on Greenbusch between Gaston Road and Westheimer Parkway as well as a new bridge over Buffalo Bayou. The road currently is two lanes wide and has ditches on both sides. Increasing the width of the road from two lanes to four lanes will help improve mobility and decrease congestio...

COVID-19 recovery, reopening discussed at May Katy Area EDC GA meeting

Thursday, May 27, 2021

May 25, 2021 - Katy Area Economic Development Council welcomed members and guests to its monthly general assembly meeting on Tuesday, May 18 held at Aloft Hotel Katy. With a return to pre-pandemic life and activities ongoing, Katy Area EDC hosted representatives from the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) and Fisher Phillips LLP to discuss the reopening process and how businesses can best navigate it. Mark Winchester, Deputy District Director for Houston District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration, provided an update on the ongoing efforts of the SBA to support the economic recovery from COVID-19. He discussed the numerou...

HCC Katy to open new campus in 2022

Friday, May 21, 2021

By: Laura Aebi - Community Impact Houston Community College will be moving its Katy campus to 22910 Colonial Parkway, Katy, in spring 2022. The new facility is a $55 million investment from HCC and will be more than 125,000 square feet, said HCC President Zachary Hodges during a May 17 presentation to Katy City Council. Since its inception, HCC had offered freshmen- and sophomore-level courses while the University of Houston offered junior, senior, and graduate courses. Hodges said the new HCC campus will now allow students to “start in Katy and finish in Katy.” “It's not easy to drive to the University o...

TxDOT, advocacy group look at feasibility of Hwy. 36A corridor through Brazoria, Fort Bend, Waller counties

Friday, May 21, 2021

By: Haley Morrison - Community Impact The Texas Department of Transportation is in the midst of the feasibility study and environmental study for the Hwy. 36A project. If it comes to fruition, the project would build 65 miles of Hwy. 36A, creating a corridor from Port Freeport to Brazosport to North Texas, Highway 36A Coalition spokesperson Jim Fredricks said. The project is separated into two sections: Hwy. 36A South would run from the existing Hwy. 36 south to the I-10 and Hwy. 90A intersection. Hwy. 36A would run from the I-10 and Hwy. 90A intersection to Hwy. 6 north of Hempstead. Th...

New funding available soon for small businesses hit by COVID-19 in Fort Bend County

Thursday, May 13, 2021

By: Morgan Theophil - Community Impact Small businesses in Fort Bend County that have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic can soon apply for up to $25,000 in relief due to new funding made available by the county. Fort Bend County officials have made new funding from the American Rescue Plan Act available through the county's small-business emergency grant program, a program designed to help small businesses recover from the pandemic. Information about the program was shared during a virtual webinar May 12 hosted by the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with other area entities including the Katy Area Chambe...

First Texas PopStroke, designed by Tiger Woods, coming to Katy

Friday, May 07, 2021

By: Laura Aebi - Community Impact The first Texas location of PopStroke, a Florida-based golf entertainment facility designed by Tiger Woods, is coming to the Katy area in 2022. The attraction will be built on a 3.2-acre tract at the Katy Grand and feature an 8,000-square-foot restaurant. "PopStroke is the most innovative family-oriented golf concept in today's entertainment category. Choosing Katy Grand for its flagship location in Texas is an incredible honor," said Jeff Hayes, managing partner of NewQuest's land and tenant advisory services. The facility will consist of two 18-hole golf courses designed by Woods at a variety of skill levels. I...

TWC Approves $790 Million Assistance Package for Child Care in Texas

Wednesday, May 05, 2021

Release by TWC Media Contact: James Bernsen Phone: 512-463-8556 AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) authorized $790 million to support the stability of the child care sector and assist providers in responding to impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency. These funds, which will be provided to all regulated child care providers, will assist them in addressing the increased operating expenses they have faced as a result of the pandemic. The funding comes from $1.1 billion that TWC received through the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. “A strong child care network is vital to Texas’ economy but increased operating expenses resulting fro...

Fort Bend County transportation bond to fund ‘unique’ downtown Fulshear project

Friday, April 23, 2021

By: Claire Shoop - Community Impact To improve mobility in downtown Fulshear for both cars and pedestrians, the city, along with Fort Bend County, is working to convert Wallis and Main streets into a one-way pair. A one-way pair, also called a couplet, is two parallel one-way streets often used in downtown areas that provide for a safer flow of traffic, said Sharon Valiante, public works director for the city of Fulshear. Money to begin the Wallis project—which includes the reconstruction of the roadway as well as plans to widen the street and extend it to FM 1093—was approved by voters in Novembe...

Katy Area EDC GA features presentations from Mayor of Fulshear, Katy ISD

Friday, April 23, 2021

For the first time in over a year, Katy Area Economic Development Council welcomed members and guests for an in-person general assembly meeting while adhering to COVID-19 safety guidelines. The meeting, which was hosted by Embassy Suites by Hilton Houston West-Katy, was headlined by presentations from Aaron Groff, Mayor of Fulshear, and a presentation by Katy ISD covering the May 1 bond referendum. For those members not able to attend, the meeting was streamed. Groff, who was elected in 2018, leads the growing City of Fulshear which encompasses the southwestern portion of the Katy area. Recently named the fastest growing communit...

Texas, Florida and Washington ranked most innovative states

Friday, April 16, 2021

By: Hannah Mitchell - Beckers Hospital Institue The U.S. remains a global leader in innovation, while Texas, Florida and Washington are ranked the most innovative states, according to a March 26 article published by The Wall Street Journal. Research by the Draper Hero Institute created an index of emerging innovative hot spots to recognize the development of advanced technology and economic growth. Four things to know about the innovation results: Washington, Florida and Texas ranked as the top three U.S. states for innovation overall. California scored high for its thriving tech sector in the Silicon Valley but was marked down for high taxes and stat...

Gross Domestic Product by State, 4th Quarter 2020 and Annual 2020

Monday, April 12, 2021

Information from Bureau of Economic Analysis Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased in all 50 states and the District of Columbia in the fourth quarter of 2020, as real GDP for the nation increased at an annual rate of 4.3 percent, according to statistics released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The percent change in real GDP in the fourth quarter ranged from 9.9 percent in South Dakota to 1.2 percent in the District of Columbia (table 1). Read the full story here

Katy Area EDC supports UH Katy campus expansion funding, Katy ISD bond propositions

Monday, March 15, 2021

Katy Area Economic Development Council announces its support for funding expansion projects on the University of Houston Katy campus and four Katy ISD bond propositions. Katy Area EDC passed a resolution in support of $92,250,000 million of state funding from the Texas Legislature for expanding the University of Houston Katy campus and facilities. The University of Houston at Katy and the University of Houston-Victoria at Katy campus, located on a 46-acre development within the Katy area, is part of the UH System and requires more space for programs in energy, engineering, and medical services and training. Specifically, Katy Area EDC supports the constructio...

Population, median income increased in Katy area from 2014-19

Monday, March 15, 2021

By: Morgan Theophil - Community Impact Spanning Harris, Fort Bend and Waller counties, the Katy area saw, on average, a 30.5% increase in population from 2014 to 2019 across its six ZIP codes. Five of the six area ZIP codes saw an increase in median household income. On average, the Katy area saw an increase of 11.8% in median household income from 2014 to 2019, slightly less than the increases in Harris, Fort Bend and Waller counties. Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2019 American Community Survey, Community Impact Newspaper looked at population growth, changes in median household income, the age breakdown, local demographi...

Upcoming Katy transportation projects focus on increasing mobility to match continued growth

Thursday, March 11, 2021

By: Morgan Theophil - Community Impact Of all the priorities for transportation projects in Katy slated for 2021 and the years ahead, increasing mobility to keep up with the city’s growth is at the forefront, according to Katy’s State of the City presentation in mid-January. During the annual presentation, city officials acknowledged the elevated sales tax revenue and continued growth Katy saw during the past year despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. “People are coming,” City Administrator Byron Hebert said at the event. “You can’t put a house on the market fast enough before it’s sold.” To meet that demand for growth, Hebert said, th...

Stanley Award winners announced at Katy Area EDC GA meeting

Tuesday, March 02, 2021

Katy Area Economic Development Council hosted it February General Assembly meeting virtually on Tuesday, February 23. The monthly meeting was headlined by the announcement of the winners of the fifth annual Stan C. Stanley “Eagle” Leadership and Economic Development Awards. This year’s award winners are Downy Vickery (volunteer) and Steve Radack (elected official). Both men have provided outstanding contributions to the Katy area community and Katy Area EDC is honored to recognize their service. Vickery is a longtime Katy Area EDC Board member and previously served as President of Tradition Bank while Radack previously served as Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner. “O...

Once completed, Texas Heritage Parkway to connect I-10 to FM 1093

Monday, March 01, 2021

Construction on the $55 million Texas Heritage Parkway project connecting FM 1093 to I-10 is underway, according to Andy Meyers, Fort Bend County Precinct 3 commissioner. Meyers said construction from just south of FM 1093 to Kingsland Boulevard is 70% complete and is expected to be finished by the end of July. However, work on the segment connecting the new road from Kingsland Boulevard to I-10 is projected to begin in March and may not be completed until October. Meyers said that before the Texas Heritage Parkway, Grand Parkway and FM 1463 served as the two main connections from I-10 to F...

Texas Ranked Top Exporting State For 19th Consecutive Year

Monday, March 01, 2021

Release by Office of the Governor Governor Greg Abbott today issued a statement after the U.S. Census Bureau ranked Texas the top exporting state for the 19th consecutive year. With $279.3 billion in exports in 2020, Texas exports accounted for more than California and New York combined. The Lone Star State also led the nation in tech exports for the eighth year in a row. "Texas’ exporting prowess is a testament to our business-friendly climate, strong trade partnerships, and most of all, the millions of hardworking Texans in communities across our state,” said Governor Abbott. “The Lone Star State has fostered an environmen...

TEDC Presents the 2020 Economic Excellence Recognition at 2021 Legislative Conference

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

For more information contact: Mr. Carlton Schwab President/CEO Texas Economic Development Council (512) 480-8432 carlton@texasedc.org February 23, 2021 - The Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) announced the recipients of its annual Economic Excellence Recognition program for 2020. The awards were presented on Tuesday, February 23rd, during the TEDC’s 2021 Legislative Conference hosted virtually, February 22-26, 2021. The Economic Excellence Recognition program provides recognition to economic development organizations that meet a desired threshold of professionalism. Recipients qualify for recognition based on training taken by their governing board/council as well as the economic development director and professional staff. Certifications, professional memberships and activities, and organizational effectiveness of the economi...

City of Katy officials provide State of the City update at January GA

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Katy Area Economic Development Council held its monthly General Assembly meeting virtually on Tuesday, January 19. Members and guests gathered to hear a State of City of Katy address from Mayor Bill Hastings and City Administrator Byron Hebert. Hastings, who took office in May of 2019, and Hebert addressed the events of the past year within the City of Katy. Despite the immense and unprecedented challenges in 2020, specifically the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Katy continued its growth both in population and among the business community. Hastings noted the City exceeded expectations in tax collections from initial projections at th...

Cane Island Parkway project nears completion

Monday, January 18, 2021

By: Laura Aebi - Community Impact The project at the intersection of Cane Island Parkway and I-10 is expected to finish early this year, widening the two-lane road into a four-lane road with the addition of a median and drainage improvements. Timeline: Completion is scheduled for the first quarter of 2021. Cost: $6.27 million Funding source: Fort Bend Mobility Bond funds Full Story

U-Haul Ranks 50 States by Migration Growth: Tennessee claims No. 1 spot for first time; Texas in top 2 for fifth straight year

Thursday, January 07, 2021

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Jan. 4, 2021) — If you’re of the opinion Tennessee is a fun place to visit and would be a beautiful spot to live, take a number and get in line. U-Haul® customers are well ahead of you. The Volunteer State posted the largest net gain of U-Haul® trucks crossing its borders in 2020, making it the No. 1 U-Haul growth state for the first time. Growth states are calculated by the net gain of one-way U-Haul trucks entering a state versus leaving that state in a calendar year. Migration trends data is compiled from more than 2 million one-wa...

Fulshear fastest-growing city in Texas, census reveals

Monday, January 04, 2021

By: Claire Goodman - Houston Chronicle Fulshear is officially the fastest-growing city in Texas, according to numbers from the 2020 U.S. Census. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau were released Dec. 15 and published through the American Community Survey, a division of the Census Bureau responsible for disseminating the information. The results were not surprising to Fulshear-area community leaders. This is the second year Fulshear has earned the title, and the explosive growth in the area has only continued to increase. Only a decade ago, the population of Fulshear was 1,134 according to city demographic reports. Today, the population is more than 16,000 an...

Crystal Lagoons amenity coming to new Katy-area community

Monday, December 28, 2020

By: Marie Leonard - Community Impact The upcoming Sunterra development in Katy will soon be home to a 3.5-acre Crystal Lagoons amenity, featuring several beaches, an island, a clubhouse and a pool overlooking the lagoon. Construction is expected to begin on the lagoon before the end of the year on the property owned by developer Land Tejas along Clay and Pitts roads. “This will be the only place in Katy where you’ll have the turquoise blue waters and white sand beach experience within walking distance from your home or a short ride on your golf cart or bicycle using our 12-foot GreenBoLT trail,&rdquo...

MD Anderson earns fifth Magnet designation for nursing excellence

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

MD Anderson News Release October 13, 2020 The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center today announced achievement of its fifth consecutive Magnet designation, the highest distinction for nursing excellence granted by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program. MD Anderson received a unanimous vote from the appraisal team and joins an elite group of institutions, with only about 20 hospitals nationwide being recognized five times during the program’s 26-year history. “Magnet recognition is truly the gold standard in nursing, and we are honored to have maintained this designation since first receiving it in 2001,” said Carol Porter, D.N.P., RN, FAAN, senior vice presiden...

University of Houston-Victoria sees growth in enrollment even amid pandemic

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

By: Tracey Maness - Houston Chronicle Higher education institutions across the nation have seen a decrease in enrollment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the University of Houston-Victoria has experienced a more than 9 percent growth in its preliminary enrollment. On Wednesday, Sept. 9, the university reported its preliminary enrollment as approximately 4,970 students, which is a 9.2 percent growth over fall 2019’s enrollment, according a news release. The University of Houston-Victoria at Katy reported that it had approximately 2,340 graduate and undergraduate students enrolled from Harris and Fort Bend Counties. “UHV’s increase in enrollment is an encouraging sign for the university,” UH...

Magazine poll names UHV best college in Katy for second year in row

Thursday, August 06, 2020

Release by UHV The readers of Living Magazine have once again named the University of Houston-Victoria as Best College/University in Katy/Fulshear for the second year in a row. Readers in the Katy and Fulshear area nominated UHV this summer for the magazine’s annual “Best of” Readers’ Choice awards. The university will be featured on a list of other winners in the August issue of Living Magazine. Readers cast votes by writing in UHV on the online ballots this past spring. “It is an honor to once again receive this recognition from the Katy and Fulshear communities,” UHV President Bob Glenn said. “UHV i...

The Top-Selling Master-Planned Communities of Mid-Year 2020

Monday, July 13, 2020

July 9, 2020 By Karl Pischke, Vice President , Gregg Logan, Managing Director Total new home sales among those communities tracked in both our 2019 mid-year survey and 2020 mid-year survey are up over 16%, despite the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 50 Top-Selling Master-Planned Communities (MPCs) in the country sold almost 7% more homes than the communities that made up last year’s Top 50 list (note that those communities that comprise the Top 50 changes from year to year). The Villages retiree-focused community once again claims the top spot in RCLCO’s ranking, along with two other Florida communities tha...

TxDOT: FM 1093 widening project in Fulshear ‘basically done’

Monday, June 01, 2020

By: Jen Para - Community Impact Only a few minor activities remain for the final phase of widening FM 1093 between an upcoming intersection with the Texas Heritage Parkway and James Lane, said Trent Kubena, a general supervisor with the Texas Department of Transportation. “The project is basically done,” he said, stating that some striping, U-turns, shaping of medians and clean-up processes remain. Additionally, the second of two new permanent traffic signals will be activated in the next one to two weeks, he said. The signal at FM 1093 and Bois D’Arc Lane was activated about two weeks ago, but the new signa...

Texas makes room for another Cup in its cabinet

Monday, May 11, 2020

By: Mark Arend - SIte Selection Magazine Texas has lots of economic development bragging rights, not the least of which is its 8th consecutive Site Selection Governor’s Cup for total capital investment projects — it was awarded to Governor Greg Abbott in March. Now it’s claimed another: the 2020 Prosperity Cup, which recognizes the successful business recruitment and retention efforts of state-level economic development efforts. The prize is based on a 10-point index of competitiveness criteria, most of which are based on project data resident in Site Selection’s Conway Projects Database (see Prosperity Points sidebar on facing page). In addition to Sit...

Houston No. 2 Among Major Cities for Corporate Attraction, Investment; Texas Leads Nation

Wednesday, March 04, 2020

By: A.J. Mistretta - GHP Texas is the top state in the country for new economic development projects while Houston scores the No. 2 spot among the nation’s largest cities, according to the latest rankings from Site Selection, a corporate real estate and economic development publication. With 276 qualifying capital expenditure projects in 2019, Houston jumped two spots from fourth place in 2018 among the largest U.S. metros. The Bayou City came in ahead of the Dallas region (261 projects) and Atlanta (145 projects) but behind the Chicago area (416 projects). Texas secured the top spot for the eighth year in ...

Katy Area EDC receives EDC 2019 Economic Excellence Recognition

Thursday, February 27, 2020

The Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC)announced the recipients of its annual Economic Excellence Recognition program for 2019. The awards were presented at a breakfast held Thursday, February 20, 2020,at the TEDC’s WinterConference. The two and one half-day conference was held February 19-21at the Hilton Hotel in College Station, Texas. The Economic Excellence Recognition program provides recognition to economic development organizations that meet a desired threshold of professionalism. Recipients qualify for recognition based on training taken by their governing board/council as well as the economic development director and professional staff. Certifications, professional memberships and activities, and organizational effectiveness of the economic developmen...

Expanding Katy area higher ed opportunities discussed at February GA

Sunday, February 23, 2020

On Tuesday, February 18, Katy Area Economic Development Council hosted its General Assembly meeting at the recently opened University of Houston-Victoria Katy facility (shared with University of Houston). UHV Katy served as the perfect setting for the meeting which centered on higher education opportunities in the Katy area with presentations from host UHV Katy, Houston Community College and University of Houston. HCC leaders Dr. Kathleen Anzivino, College Operation Officer, and Susan Thompson, Director of Engineering & STEM Initiatives Science, Technology, Engineering & Math, provided an update on the new HCC Katy area campus which is expected to break ground in earl...

Katy ISD HS students taking advantage of manufacturing engineering program

Friday, February 21, 2020

By: Melissa Correa - KHOU 11 KATY, Texas — An area high school is providing its students with a learning environment that will help them soar past the competition. A manufacturing and engineering competition. Students in Katy are getting the hands-on training NASA scientists dream about. And, it's all free. "It’s like a robotics class on steroids," Monica Raumaker said. Raumaker and Connor Brown are both seniors and are part of Katy Independent School District's latest Career and Tech Program: Manufacturing Engineering. "It’s awesome. It’s definitely a big opportunity to get work experience before ever going into the workforce," Brown said. The program is boosting college application...

Houston Community College eyes fall 2020 construction start date for new Katy campus

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

By: Jen Para - Community Impact Houston Community College is a little closer to relocating its Katy campus. HCC plans to break ground on the new campus this September at 228 Colonial Parkway, Katy, HCC College Operations Officer Kathleen Anzivino said at the Feb. 18 Katy Area Economic Development Corp.’s general assembly meeting. HCC aims to open the campus January 2022 and relocate students, instructors and staff from its existing location at 1550 Foxlake Drive, Katy, to the new location, she said. The three-story building will be about 140,000 square feet with capacity for about 7,000 students, Anzivino said in an email. “We’re focusing o...

Fort Bend County to break ground on Fulshear-area public safety substation

Monday, February 17, 2020

By: Jen Para - Community Impact The Fulshear area will soon have a new public safety substation. The Fort Bend County Precinct 3 commissioner's office is planning a 2 p.m. Feb. 13 groundbreaking ceremony for the new substation located on a 2.3-acre parcel at the northwest corner of FM 1093 and FM 1463, said Robert Pechukas, Precinct 3's manager of policy and administration, in an email. The project is funded by Proposition 4 of 2015 facility bonds. Commissioners Court approved a resolution at the regular Feb. 11 meeting to advance $1.5 million in funding for the property purchase. The new public safety substation i...

Cane Island Parkway widening project to begin spring 2020

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

By: Jen Para - Community Impact The Fort Bend County Engineering Department will soon begin construction on a road in Katy. The county plans to break ground in March on a project to widen Cane Island Parkway between I-10 and FM 1463, said Ike Akinwande, an assistant engineer with Fort Bend County. The project entails widening the two-lane road into a four-lane road with a median and drainage improvements. The $6.3 million project, entirely funded by Fort Bend County, is the second phase for Cane Island Parkway, he said. The first phase extended Cane Island Parkway from I-10 to FM 1463, Akinwande said. Accordin...

Harris County Flood Control District to break ground on wetlands project near Katy Hockley Road

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

By: Jen Para - Community Impact The Harris County Flood Control District will soon start construction on a new flood mitigation project that will benefit the Katy and Cy-Fair areas. The district plans to break ground this spring or summer on the Katy Hockley Wetlands mitigation bank, located near the intersection of Katy Hockley and House and Hahl roads in Cypress, according to a Feb. 6 public meeting held at the Richard & Meg Weekley Community Center. HCFCD expects the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to approve the design plans any day, said Rick Howard, a project manager and ecologist with SWCA Environmenta...

Grand Parkway projects in Katy area to break ground in 2020

Monday, February 03, 2020

By: Jen Para - Community Impact Major projects on the Grand Parkway in the Katy area are expected to break ground in 2020, Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers said. His office is working with the Texas Department of Transportation and the Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority to widen the Grand Parkway, create new direct connectors and add more frontage roads. “We are now becoming increasingly certain that the first heavy construction will begin moving dirt in 2020,” Meyers said in a Facebook post about the three projects. Plans to widen the Grand Parkway from a four- to six-lane divided highwa...

City of Katy finishes construction on downtown plaza buildings, hosts first event

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

By Nola Z. Valente, Jen Para - Community Impact The Katy Downtown Plaza, located between avenues B and C, is closer to becoming a space that officials expect will draw tourists, shoppers and new businesses. Construction for the civic center and visitors center buildings was completed in October for the Katy Rice Festival, city of Katy Director of Tourism Kayce Reina said. Local organization Keep Katy Beautiful hosted the plaza’s first event Jan. 20 at the civic center, Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris said. “We are very excited to open up the plaza area for public gatherings,” Harris said. “Events like these keep th...

UH Expands Courses, Degree Offerings in Katy, Sugar Land

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

By: Jeannie Kever - University of Houston In a significant move to expand higher educational offerings across the Houston region, the University of Houston has received approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to offer three new undergraduate engineering degrees in Katy. The UH Bauer College of Business also will offer upper division classes at the UH at Sugar Land instructional site. “The UH at Katy and UH at Sugar Land instructional sites offer a University of Houston Tier One education to residents across our region in disciplines that are in great demand,” said Paula Myrick Short, senior vice president for academi...

Andretti Indoor Karting & Games brings thrilling attractions and racing experiences to Katy, Texas

Monday, January 13, 2020

By: The Katy News KATY, TEXAS (January 7, 2020) – Andretti Indoor Karting and Games, an Orlando-based entertainment facility will bring high-speed electric superkarts, laser tag, mini golf, VR gaming, arcade games, a ropes course, unique dining, legendary event space and much more to Katy, Texas when it opens on March 3, 2020. The entertainment and gaming center is located adjacent to the newly opened University of Houston Katy campus and Katy Asian Town at the corner of Grand Parkway and Interstate 10. Named after the legendary racing family, Andretti Indoor Karting and Games offers nearly 88,000 square feet of fast paced adventure and experiences. FEATURES AN...

Here are 10 Katy-area restaurants planning to open in 2020

Sunday, January 12, 2020

By: Jen Para - Community Impact By the end of 2019, the Katy area saw more than 50 restaurant, dessert and cafe openings, according to a Community Impact Newspaper analysis. Here are 10 dining options that are expected to open in 2020. Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen: This Tex-Mex restaurant plans to open in 2020 at 230 W. Grand Parkway S., Katy, said Lindi Vineyard, part of the Gingo’s Guest Obsessed Team, in an email. The eatery offers a menu with fajita bowls, tacos and margaritas. www.gringostexmex.com Katy Crossing Icehouse: In August, Katy Crossing Icehouse said it was coming soon to 5733 Second St., Katy...

Here's a peek inside the new indoor gaming, entertainment facility headed for Katy

Sunday, January 12, 2020

By: Rebecca Hennes - Houston Chronicle A new gaming facility set to open in the Katy area this year will offer more than 80,000 square feet of fast-paced entertainment such as electric super-karts, arcade games and virtual reality attractions. Andretti Indoor Karting & Games will open March 3 at 1230 Grand West Boulevard, Katy, according to a release. Established in 2001, the Orlando-based company's newest Texas location is seeking to fill approximately 350 positions before its grand opening. Attractions include a two-story laser tag battlefield, more than 80 state-of-the-art arcade games, an indoor high adventure ropes course, virtual reality games and high-tech mini-golf. Th...

METRO conducts study to examine eliminating ride fares

Sunday, January 12, 2020

By: Jen Para - Community Impact Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County has conducted a study that is examining eliminating ride fares, METRO Media Director Tracy Jackson said. The preliminary results of the study, which began in January 2019, will be presented to the board and the public at the board’s finance and audit committee meeting Jan. 15 at 1:30 p.m., Jackson said. At that time, the committee will determine the next steps, such as collecting additional data. The results will show several free-fare scenarios and their implications to help the board come to a decision, Jackson said. Some scenarios that may b...

Texas Is Business Facilities’ 2019 State Of The Year

Sunday, January 05, 2020

By: Business Facilities Texas has been named Business Facilities’ 2019 State of the Year, becoming the first state to win BF’s top honor for the fourth time. The Lone Star State won the magazine’s inaugural SOTY designation in 2007; Texas also was BF’s State of the Year winner in 2012 and 2016. The top five Texas projects in terms of capital investment last year brought a tidal wave of more than $30 billion in capex to TX, while the top five job-creating projects netted nearly 15,000 direct new jobs. “As we ring in 2020, it’s time to acknowledge that Texas has by far been th...

Katy advances Boardwalk project

Saturday, January 04, 2020

By: Karen Zurawski - Houston Chronicle Construction of a hotel/conference center could be under way in the Katy Boardwalk by June for a late fall 2021 opening. An agreement with Centerpoint Energy Houston Electric approved Dec. 9 by Katy City Council will bring electricity to the Katy Boardwalk. A resolution adopted by City Council authorizes the Katy Development Authority to add as a project the construction of an underground ductbank along the Katy Boardwalk District. Consulting engineers Binkley & Barfield Inc. recommended the authority award a construction contract for the underground ductbank installation to TCH Directional Drilling at a cost of approximately $2.8 million...

On the Move: The allure of Katy draws newcomers

Monday, December 23, 2019

By: Michelle Sandlin - Houston Chronicle Katy has long been one of the most popular suburban locations for people who are moving to the greater Houston area. And the allure is simple: Katy offers excellent schools, amenity-rich master-planned communities and neighborhoods, close proximity to the Energy Corridor, and increased access to the many other business centers throughout the region. Once considered a prominent location for residents who were connected to the oil and gas industry, today Katy boasts of a diverse economy that is fueled by much more than the energy sector. In recent years, the Katy area has been the recipient o...

See how population growth stacks up in the six Katy-area ZIP codes

Thursday, December 19, 2019

By: Jen Para - Community Impact The Katy area continues to grow while residents are paying more for housing, according to new five-year population estimates. The U.S. Census Bureau released the latest American Community Survey five-year estimates for 2014-18 on Dec. 19. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the annual data release “helps local officials, community leaders, and businesses understand the changes taking place in their communities.” The following information is sourced from the 2014-18 American Community Survey. Any comparisons over time were made using the 2009-13 five-year ACS. Population increases The Katy area’s six ZIP codes—77094, 77441, 77449, 77450, 77493 and 77494—all showed increase...

More warehouse growth comes to Katy

Sunday, December 08, 2019

By: Karen Zurawski - Houston Chronicle In the past two years warehouse deals involving more than 6 million square feet occurred in the Katy area, according to Ken Sager, vice president of EastGroup Properties. He and David Hudson, vice president of leasing and development of Duke Realty, talked of continued growth at the Nov. 19 general assembly of the Katy Area Economic Development Council. Developer of Ten West Crossing, EastGroup has expanded its focus to Grand Crossing Business Park, a 33-acre site south of Clay Road and west of the Grand Parkway. Groundbreaking for the first of six buildings on the site i...

Fort Bend Commissioners Court OKs joint agreement to build connector roads from Westpark Tollway to Grand Parkway

Sunday, December 01, 2019

By: Jen Para - Community Impact A mobility project to build direct connectors from east- and westbound Westpark Tollway to northbound Grand Parkway is moving forward. In a 4-0 vote, the Fort Bend County Commissioners approved a joint agreement to construct these direct connectors at the Nov. 26 court meeting. Judge K.P. George was absent. These connectors are needed “to alleviate traffic congestion and related public safety concerns,” according to the agreement document. The joint agreement is between Fort Bend County, Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority, Fort Bend Grand Parkway Toll Road Authority and Fort Bend County Assistance Districts Nos. 1 and 9. Unde...

Industrial parks planned near Grand Parkway, Clay Road intersection in Katy area

Sunday, December 01, 2019

By: Jen Para - Community Impact Two industrial parks are planned for the intersection of the Grand Parkway and Clay Road in the Katy area plan to break ground in the first quarter of 2020. Duke Realty has begun construction on a 433,300-square-foot building for its Clay 99 project, said David Hudson, Duke Realty’s vice president of leasing and development, at the Katy Area Economic Development Council Nov. 18 general assembly meeting. The building will finish construction in the first quarter of 2020. Meanwhile, EastGroup Properties’ Grand West Crossing development, located immediately south of Clay 99, will begin construction on a 120,600-square-foot buildin...

EastGroup Properties, Duke Realty provide updates on Katy area properties at November GA

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

The headquarters of Members Choice Credit Union played host to the November Katy Area Economic Development Council General Assembly meeting on Tuesday, November 19. The monthly meeting, which brings together Katy Area EDC members, community leaders and elected officials, was highlighted by presentations from two area commercial real estate firms and Katy Area EDC members, EastGroup Properties and Duke Realty. Kevin Sager, representing EastGroup, gave an overview of the CRE company which currently has 6.3 million square feet of space in 75 buildings and 8 business parks within the Katy area. Two highlight properties in the EastGroup portfolio include Ten Wes...

In-N-Out Burger opening Katy-area restaurant Nov. 22

Thursday, November 21, 2019

By: Community Impact In-N-Out Burger plans to open Nov. 22 at 1010 Katy-Fort Bend Road, Katy, according to a Nov. 21 press release. Steve Schneider is managing the location, which has one drive-thru lane and seating for nearly 75 people. The California-based brand is also opening a location on Nov. 22 in Stafford. These are the first two locations of the chain in the Greater Houston area. In-N-Out offers a menu of burgers, fries and shakes. 800-786-1000. www.in-n-out.com Full Story

GIS technology enhances property searching on Katy Area EDC website

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Finding a location for your business has never been easier, whether it’s a new building or a new location. Using the GIS Planning Tool provides you with multiple options so you can tailor the search to fit your needs. GIS software (Geographic Information System) combines rich data on available real estate with demographics for local communities while letting you search between Buildings, Sites, Businesses, and Communities. Internal filters let you drill down deeper into the data to create custom reports based on your specific needs. Whether you’re looking for office, retail, industrial or commercial sites, searching for your next location our GI...

With bond funding secured, METRO officials announce next steps

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

By; Shawn Arrajj - Community Impact With $3.5 billion in bonding authority secured, officials with the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County have a lot of work to do. Some of METRO's top brass gathered at a press conference Nov. 6—following an Election Day that saw the agency's bond pass with just under 68% of voter approval—to discuss the next steps in the process of making a reality the 40 or so projects that are slated to be funded with bond money. The money will help fund projects in the agency's $7.5 billion METRONext Moving Forward Plan, which calls for 75 miles o...

VillaSport Athletic Club and Spa to open in 2020 in Cinco Ranch

Monday, November 11, 2019

By: Roy Kent - Houston Chronicle Residents of the Cinco Ranch area will have a new place to get fit when VillaSport Athletic Club and Spa opens its doors. The facility is projected to open in early 2020. “We are thrilled to continue expanding the unique VillaSport brand in the Houston-area with the addition of our new Cinco Ranch athletic resort,” said Joseph Syufy, CEO of VillaSport, in a news release. “The new location is a perfect fit for the community, with an emphasis on catering to families and their everyday needs.” The fitness chain is building its third club in the Housto...

Texas Bullet Train presentation headlines October Katy Area EDC GA meeting

Monday, October 21, 2019

On Tuesday, October 15 Katy Area Economic Development Council hosted its monthly General Assembly meeting at the Embassy Suites West Houston-Katy near Park Ten. The meeting was highlighted by David Hagy of Texas Central Railway, the organization which is developing the bullet train project connecting Houston and Dallas. Hagy, who made a return to his second Katy Area EDC meeting in the past year, served as the meeting’s headliner providing information on the planned Texas Bullet Train. According to Texas Central, the private company leading the development of the project, the approximately 240-mile high-speed rail line linking Houston and Dallas will offe...

Katy Area Economic Development Council hires 2 team members

Saturday, October 19, 2019

By: Jen Para - Community Impact The Katy Area Economic Development Council has added two new faces to its team. Angie Thomason is the EDC’s new manager of membership, business retention and special projects, according to an Oct. 14 press release. Debbie Morris will perform administrative duties and assist with projects. Before coming to the Katy Area EDC, Thomason was the vice president of management and marketing/business development at Westbound Bank, per the release, and she has been involved with the chambers of commerce in Katy and Cy-Fair. Morris, meanwhile, more recently serviced as the port director of Matagorda County Navigation District No. 1...

Katy is now home to one of six Pepperl+Fuchs distribution centers in the world

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

By: Nola Z. Valente - Community Impact Pepperl+Fuchs, a German company that specializes in industrial sensor and explosion protection technologies, held a ribbon-cutting for its new U.S. distribution center in Katy on Oct. 15. The new center in Katy is one of six locations worldwide, located in England, Germany, China, Australia and Italy. Pepperl+Fuchs is a global company specializing in design, manufacture and application of factory process automation and services. Katy was chosen as a location for the new 110,000-square-foot center due to the prominence of the oil and gas industry in the area, according to a press release. “You might wonder why w...

Memorial Hermann Sports Park in Katy hosted grand opening Oct. 12

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

By: Claire Allbright - Community Impact Memorial Hermann Sports Park, a new space constructed via a partnership between Memorial Hermann Health System and Athlete Training and Health, celebrated its grand opening Oct. 12 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce. The $15 million facility offers medical care and athletic training for athletes of all ages and levels. Located at 23960 Katy Freeway, Katy, the 50,000-square-foot, two-story facility consists of the Memorial Hermann IRONMAN Sports Medicine Institute; a Memorial Hermann Medical Group primary care clinic; and an ATH training center with an adult fitness space, a weight room an...

University of Houston System hosts ribbon-cutting for new Katy-area campus

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

By: Jen Para - Community Impact The University of Houston System celebrated the opening of its newest campus in the Katy area. The University of Houston at Katy and the University of Houston-Victoria at Katy held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the debut of the a new shared 80,000-square-foot facility located at 22400 Grand Circle Blvd., Katy. Classes began in mid-August. Along with university leadership, UH System Chancellor Renu Khator spoke to the 150 people in attendance about the role the two universities will play in the Katy area to help meet local workforce needs and thanked those that began planning for th...

States with the most people moving to Texas

Tuesday, October 08, 2019

By: Taylor Pettway - Houston Chronicle Texas was ranked the second most populous state in the country by the 2018 U.S. Census, and the state has also seen a large influx of people moving to the Lone Star state. With 28.7 million people recorded in the state in 2018, Texas saw a 1.3 percent increase in population between 2017 and 2018. And that growth could be attributed to the large populations of people moving to Texas from around the country. In a study done by Esri, a mapping and data analytics company, most of Texas's newest residents came from California and Florida durin...

Officials talk flooding, urge support of Proposition 8 at Houston Stronger panel

Monday, October 07, 2019

By: Shawn Arrajj - Community Impact Representatives from several flood control agencies provided updates at an Oct. 2 forum on a variety of Houston area projects ranging from Addicks Reservoir to the Texas coast. The panel was hosted by Houston Stronger, a coalition of civic and business groups advocating for flooding solutions in the Greater Houston area. The organization has worked with members of the Texas Legislature, Harris County Flood Control District and the city of Houston to advance flood recovery projects in the past, and representatives from each of those arenas were present at the event. A theme throughout the panel discussio...

Cross Creek Ranch to deliver nearly 500 homesites within Katy ISD by end of year

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

By: Nola Z. Valente - Community Impact Cross Creek Ranch is developing its final homesites within Katy Independent School District. The community located at the crossroads of FM 1463 and FM 1093, has delivered 291 homesites in 2019, and has another 180 planned for development by the end of the year, according to a press release. “We expect to be completely built out on the Katy ISD side of Cross Creek Ranch by the end of 2020,” said Rob Bamford, general manager of Cross Creek Ranch. “The remaining neighborhoods are all near the shared junior high and high school campus under construction no...

Encompass Health announces opening of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Katy in Texas

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Sept. 9, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Encompass Health Corp. (NYSE: EHC) announces the opening of its 133rd inpatient rehabilitation hospital, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Katy. Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Katy Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Katy, located at 23331 Grand Reserve Drive in Katy, a suburb of Houston, Texas, welcomed its first patient this morning. The freestanding inpatient rehabilitation hospital includes 40 private patient rooms, a spacious therapy gym featuring advanced technologies, a four-chair dialysis suite, an activities of daily living suite, courtyard, dining room and dayroom areas. Care will be provided by highly specialized nurses, therapists and physicians. Complementing local acute care services, the hospital will car...

Higher education expansion to help Katy-area economy

Thursday, September 05, 2019

By: Jen Para - Community Impact The University of Houston System opened a new Katy-area campus mid-August, and local experts said this investment in the local community is expected to positively affect the Katy-area economy. The Katy Area Economic Development Council estimates the new campus—which is shared by University of Houston at Katy and University of Houston-Victoria at Katy—will have an initial estimated $56 million in economic impact output over the next five years based on the first phase of the campus, located at 22400 Grand Circle Blvd., Katy. Graduating students will become a homegrown workforce, trained to fulfill jobs at Katy an...

Cane Island expands homebuilder roster

Monday, January 03, 2022

Commissioner Tom Ramsey, growing R&D company headline Katy Area EDC August GA meeting

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

New ranking: These are Houston's best places to live

Friday, May 15, 2020

Development: Updates to 5 Katy-area commercial real estate projects

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

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