Open for Business More than 60,000 people live in the trade area, and the major markets of Houston, Conroe, and The Woodlands are less than thirty minutes away. The area’s labor force is one of its primary assets. An abundance of workers with strong work ethics in a broad range of professions are available.  Montgomery County’s economy is very strong and continues to strengthen each year. The continued growth of the entire county and especially the anticipated growth in East Montgomery County is very exciting.
Montgomery County is ranked as the 5th fastest growing county in Texas and 28th in the nation with its populations more than doubling in the last twenty years. With a growth rate of between five and six percent per annum the current population of approximately 425,000 and is projected to top 800,000 in the next twenty-five years. The entire greater Houston region is experiencing this same growth with a projected 1.4 million new households and 1.5 million new jobs over the next twenty-five years. The East Montgomery County area is fast becoming one of the focal points for development in the greater Houston region. Considering its close proximity to Bush Intercontinental Airport, the Port of Houston, downtown Houston and other regional economic centers the area has seen rapid growth in the last two years. While this is exciting, it also requires planning. Regional planning is being led by the Houston Galveston Area Council (HGAC) and involves citizens from across the region meeting to discuss growth issues. Infrastructure and particularly transportation planning is critical to the future of the region. Montgomery County voters overwhelmingly passed a $100 million bond referendum in 2005 to upgrade designated roads throughout the county. In addition $60 million was approved to improve numerous county roads throughout the county. US Hwy 59 and Interstate 45 are also being improved to meet the increased demands with Hwy 59 soon to be completed to interstate standards. Several new projects, both residential and commercial, are currently being developed. Instrumental in these projects are regional developers such as Friendswood Development Company, The Signorelli Company, Marlin/Atlantis, Hendricks Interests, and others. Projects include residential subdivisions, commercial tracts, or both in several cases. Home prices range from the $90’s to the $800,000’s. Significant among these residential developments are Oakhurst at Kingwood and Valley Ranch. The Valley Ranch Town Center project will give Porter/New Caney a “downtown” that will attract visitors from surrounding areas. Numerous nationally known home builders are currently building in these area developments. Here is a sampling. Oakhurst at Kingwood Oakhurst at Kingwood encompasses some 1,400 lots and is located south of FM1314 and just north of Northpark Drive. The development’s homes range in price from the $150,000s to the $800,000s. Also located within the development is the beautiful and challenging Oakhurst Golf Club. Privately owned and separate from the development the course is a daily fee course open to the public. The development also features a community pool and club building that is open to the residents. Several well known home builders are actively building in this development. Oakhurst at Kingwood is a development of Friendswood Development Company. Valley Ranch The Valley Ranch project includes over 3,000 lots, 300 plus apartment units, and 1,200,000 square feet of retail space and will give Porter/New Caney a “downtown” that will attract visitors from surrounding areas. D R Horton is currently the exclusive builder in Valley Ranch. Central to the development of Valley Ranch is the construction of the Grand Parkway or Hwy 99. The Grand Parkway will be the third loop around Houston and provide quick access (13.7 miles) to Interstate 45. Construction of Segment G (from I-45 to US Hwy 59) is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2012. Homes in the development currently range in price from the $140’s to the $400’s. The project covers some 1,300 plus acres located from north of the proposed route of the Grand Parkway to just north of FM 1314 in Porter. The acreage surrounds New Caney ISD’s sixth grade campus as well as Valley Ranch Elementary and the football and baseball stadiums. The Villas at Valley Ranch, a luxury apartment complex, opened in the fall of 2008. Valley Ranch is a project of The Signorelli Company of Conroe. The growth in East Montgomery County also has an impact on the regional economic well being as many of the homes that are being built will be purchased by people who will work in Harris County, and at the same time, many of the new jobs being created will be manned by people who live in neighboring counties and commute into East Montgomery County to work. Growth and development throughout the north Houston region has a significant impact on our area. By working together with our friends and neighbors we can accomplish much! East Montgomery County Improvement District (EMCID)The East Montgomery County Improvement District (EMCID) was created by special legislation in 1997. Upon approval by the state legislature the voters within the boundaries of New Caney and Splendora school districts passed a referendum to create the district and for them to collect a one cent sales tax on applicable goods and services. The district, commonly known as EMCID, uses those funds for both economic and community development projects. The district has enjoyed many successes since its creation and proudly counts the location of the Wal-Mart Distribution Center among its successful efforts. Their industrial park encompasses some 400 acres and is now the home to several light industrial businesses including businesses from Mexico and France. EMCID continues to actively market the area by attending national trade shows and industry shows to share the great things that are happening in East Montgomery County. The most significant project underway is Global Earth Quest Ventures which will include an interactive theme park, hotel/convention center, numerous restaurants, residential development and other amenities, plus a dinosaur museum/institute (Earth Quest Institute), this $1.5 billion project alone will change the economic model for East Montgomery County. Global Earth Quest Ventures will be built in phases with phase one beginning in the summer of 2010. This project will bring some 2,700 jobs in just phase one. The entire project is centered around “green” technology. The retail development in Earth Quest coupled with the development of the Valley Ranch Town Center and other local retail centers the area will become a hub for retail sales. Graduating seniors from New Caney and Splendora schools, local home schooled students, private school graduates (within the EMCID district) and adults receiving their GED (and live within EMCID’s district) are eligible for $1,000 college scholarships. These funds can be used at any accredited college, technical school, or university in the country. These funds come from the community development dollars. The EMC Scholarship Foundation (a 501c3 non-profit education foundation) has been established to administer these dollars and scholarships. Community development grants to local organizations are also considered twice each year. An application for funds is required as well as various reporting requirements if funds are received. During the fiscal year 2008-2009 a total of $369,000 in community development grants were awarded. Incentives can also be granted by EMCID to eligible businesses for both start up or existing businesses. In cooperation with Montgomery County these incentives assist in the recruitment of new and expanded businesses to the area. EMCID is governed by an eight member board, elected by the voters within New Caney and Splendora school district boundaries. Directors serve four year staggered terms. To reach EMCID, call 281-354-4419 or visit their website at www.emctx.com
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