MILLAR SELECTS PEARLAND FOR NEW HEADQUARTERS AND MANUFACTURING FACILITY

PEDC and the City of Pearland recently announced that Millar, Inc. has chosen a site in Pearland’s Lower Kirby District for its new headquarters and manufacturing facility.

Millar, a leading developer and manufacturer of pressure sensor-enabled devices, is building a 56,000 square-foot headquarters, R&D, manufacturing and warehousing facility on a 5-acre site on Kirby Drive. PEDC and city officials began working with Millar in 2017 on the recruitment project.

The facility will be home to approximately 120 employees when it opens in 2022.

CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AWARDED FOR FINAL PHASE OF 288 MASTER PLAN IMPROVEMENTS

After approval by the PMMD#2 Board, the PEDC Board of Directors and City Council, a contract has been awarded for the final phase of the State Highway 288 Master Plan Improvements.

Over the past twenty-five years, the SH 288 corridor has transformed from a rural area to a major commercial center with millions of square feet of retail, office, two new hospitals and high-quality residential development. Recognizing the importance of the corridor, in 2014 the City, PEDC and businesses in the corridor jointly developed a master plan that identified improvements to enhance the appearance and infrastructure of the corridor and complement the nearly $1 billion investment in the corridor from the 288 managed toll lane project.

The first three phases of improvements including brick pavers, wet and dry detention ponds, bridge and barrier painting, decorative form liners, lighting conduit, pond edging, pear sculpture foundations, and upgraded decorative signal poles, were incorporated into Brazoria County’s managed toll lanes construction plans.

Now that the initial improvements are complete and the toll lanes are open to the public, construction will start in early 2022 on the next phase of improvements from Beltway 8 to Magnolia, including landscape elements, irrigation, lighting, water fountains, pear sculptures, and sidewalks and gateway markers. The improvements are expected to be complete in 2024.

The implementation of the 288 Master Improvements Plan is a key focus area in the Pearland Prosperity Community Strategic Plan and is being implemented through a partnership between the City, PEDC, PMMD2, in coordination with Brazoria County Toll Road Authority (BCTRA), Brazoria County, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), and Blue Ridge Transportation Group (BTG), who have entered into various agreements regarding construction and maintenance of the improvements.

 

PEARLAND TO CREATE ENTREPRENEURSHIP HUB FOR COMMUNITY

Earlier this month City Council approved funds of $309,000 per year for three years for the creation of entrepreneurship hub in Pearland and PEDC is entering into a contract with The Cannon Workplace, LLC to create and implement the hub. 

The Hub will enhance Pearland’s innovation entrepreneurship culture by creating events, programs, and activities for entrepreneurs and small business owners to inspire ideation, innovation and entrepreneurship and will connect the City to local and regional entrepreneurship assistance programs, service providers and funding sources to ensure local entrepreneurs and small businesses in Pearland connect with these resources to maximize their growth potential and overall success. Offerings of the Hub will include business plan competitions, proactive coaching, networking events and student programs to encourage entrepreneurship.

This new program is the result of the Pearland Prosperity Community Strategic Plan’s call for the creation of a Hub for entrepreneurship and small business assistance in Pearland, and the completion of a Market Assessment and Business Plan for the Hub which identified market opportunities and created a plan to support entrepreneurs and small business owners, encourage innovation and entrepreneurship culture, and connect entrepreneurs to resources within the region.

PEDC HONORS FORMER BOARD MEMBERS

PEDC Chair Reid Wendell, Brandon Dansby, PEDC Vice Chair Mona Chavarria

The PEDC Board of Directors recognized Brandon Dansby at its September board meeting. Brandon served on the PEDC Board from 2011 through 2020, including two years as Chair. He also serves as Chair of the Steering and Implementation committees for the Pearland Prosperity Strategic Plan. PEDC staff and leadership express their sincere appreciation to Brandon for his service on the board and to our community.

The Board would also like to honor Rushi Patel, who served on the Board from 2009 to 2018 and served as Chair from 2014 to 2016. He was unable to attend the Board meeting, however PEDC staff and leadership express their sincere appreciation to Rushi for his service on the board and to our community.