PEDC Newsletter - Winter 2023

PEARLAND EMPLOYERS: PROMOTE YOUR COMPANY AND JOB LISTINGS AT WORKINPEARLAND.COM

PEDC, in partnership with the Pearland Chamber of Commerce, will soon be launching WorkInPearland.com, a virtual immersive platform for local businesses, community and education partners and non-profits engaged in workforce development in Pearland. The platform, which will be accessible year-round, offers a virtual job fair venue connecting Pearland area employers who are looking for local candidates and employees who are looking for opportunities closer to home.

An alternative to national job boards, WorkinPearland is an immersive and interactive website where job seekers can register to view locally focused jobs, regional training programs, workforce support services, and workforce ecosystem partners in the region.

Potential employees can utilize the online network, access the job board, and connect and interview with employers all within the platform. Additionally, participants can meet and interact with representatives from the corporate community and educational partners across the region. They can explore job openings, chat with hiring managers, and grow their network in search of employment opportunities while viewing and downloading educational materials and other resources.

This partnership stemmed from the Workforce and Talent focus area in the Pearland Prosperity Strategic Plan, which serves to connect and enhance Pearland’s talent pipeline though a collaborative approach.

Are you a local employer who would like to add your company and job postings to WorkInPearland.com? Contact Mou Sarkar at the PEDC or Jennifer Berti at the Pearland Chamber for more information.

PEARLAND CELEBRATES LAUNCH OF YOUNG PROFESSIONALS PROGRAM

The Pearland Chamber of Commerce and the PEDC celebrated the launch of a new Young Professionals Program at Floyd’s Cajun Seafood & Texas Steakhouse on February 7th.

Created as part of the Workforce and Talent focus area of the Pearland Prosperity Strategic Plan, the new program seeks to foster and empower Young Professionals between the ages of 21-40 who work or reside in the Pearland region by providing networking, career development, leadership, and civic engagement opportunities. This committee meets on the third Wednesday monthly and is open to any Young Professional that would like to attend. Please email Jennifer Berti at the Pearland Chamber for more information.

PEDC ANNOUNCES ELECTION OF OFFICERS

PEDC is pleased to announce the election of officers to its Board of Directors. At its January 19th board meeting, the Board elected Chad Thumann as Chair, Jerry Koza as Vice Chair and Randeep Nambiar as Secretary.

PEDC RECEIVES CHAIRMAN’S AWARD AT PEARLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL BANQUET

PEDC leadership and staff were honored to receive the Chairman's Award from outgoing chair Sasha Costa at the Pearland Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet last month.

The Pearland Chamber of Commerce, who represents Pearland's business community, has been a long-standing partner of the PEDC, starting shortly after its formation in 1995. In his remarks, Costa recognized combined efforts from the Chamber and PEDC over the past year on Pearland Prosperity Strategic Plan initiatives, including entrepreneurship and workforce. From the BizConnect employer retention program to the establishment of the Pearland Innovation Hub to the development and coordination of workforce resources for our local employers, PEDC and the Pearland Chamber have partnered on numerous resources and programs to support local businesses.

PEDC would like to thank Sasha and the Pearland Chamber for their support over the past years and are truly honored to receive this award.

PEDC WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS

PEDC is pleased to announce City Council's appointment of David Graham and Dena Hanks to its Board of Directors.

David Graham, Chief Executive Officer for FranchiCzar, assumed his duties at the December 8th meeting. A long-time Pearland entrepreneur, David is also the CEO for Valhallan, Iron 24, and Math Reactor, as well as the Managing Director for Graham Ventures. He also serves on the Pearland Prosperity Implementation Committee and previously served on the Pearland Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Dena Hanks, an interior designer and owner of Hanks Design Group, assumed her duties at the January 19th board meeting. A founding board member of the Pearland Leadership Foundation, she also serves as vice-chair. Other board service includes the Pearland ISD Education Foundation, where she previously served as president, and the Pearland High School Academic Decathlon Booster Club. She also served on multiple committees of the Pearland Chamber of Commerce and other previous service includes Pearland Library Advisory Board, Brazoria County Library and Foundation Board, Adult Education Center, Pearland ISD Long Range Planning Committee and Women in Leadership in Pearland.

On January 23, City Council also reappointed Mona Chavarria to the PEDC Board to fill the remainder of Antonio Johnson's term, who resigned from the PEDC Board in January.

PEDC staff and leadership express their sincere appreciation to outgoing board members David Selsky, John Lyle, and Antonio Johnson for their service on the board and to our community.

LATEST NEWS

Swiss biotech Lonza expands Houston footprint with Pearland laboratory expansion

PEARLAND: INNOVATION LIVES HERE!

What happens when an entire city focuses on championing innovation and entrepreneurship? You have Pearland, Texas.

Syzygy Plasmomics: A breakthrough innovator in the decarbonization of chemical manufacturing moved their testing, development and manufacturing headquarters to Pearland in 2022. From a complete feasibility assessment to economic incentives, PEDC facilitated the process to give Syzygy the space to grow in Pearland.

To learn about other employers and innovators that call Pearland home, visit pearlandedc.com/innovation.

TEXAS BUSINESS OWNERS - YOUR INPUT IS NEEDED!

The Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) is working to identify business needs in Texas. TEDC is interested in finding out how to best support business growth through actions and policies the State of Texas and other stakeholders can implement to help increase access to capital to businesses across the state. A particular focus will be on the needs of small and rural businesses.

Business Owners and Managers, please complete the survey to help TEDC better understand the challenges facing Texas businesses and the types of assistance that would best help them grow! Please click here to participate in the survey!

SALES TAX AND UNEMPLOYMENT UPDATE

Current period sales tax collections for Pearland in January were up 2.9% and in February were up 7.6% over the same months in 2022.

Unemployment is remaining steady in the City as well. In December 2022, Pearland's unemployment rate was 3.1%.

BIZCONNECT PROGRAM ASSISTS LOCAL EMPLOYERS

BizConnect Luncheon with Buc-ee's

PEDC's BizConnect program, established in conjunction with the Pearland Chamber of Commerce, was created to discover and address issues that businesses face and place emphasis on building a stable business environment in the City of Pearland.

The BizConnect team works to establish a relationship with businesses by visiting with them and sharing available resources, while also addressing any issues or needs our business community might have.

In 2022, BizConnect conducted over fifty on-site visits with local employers, held numerous educational seminars and luncheons, and worked to provide assistance to Pearland’s businesses.

CONTINUED INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS IN LOWER KIRBY

The Lower Kirby District is a 1,200-acre mixed-use development in northwest Pearland, at the intersection of South Beltway 8 and State Highway 288. The master plan for the District includes urban residential, office, retail, technology/research campus and light manufacturing all linked by landscaped boulevards with walking trails and parks.

PEDC and the city continue to work with management districts and developers in Lower Kirby to improve infrastructure and regional detention in the area. A key priority of the Lower Kirby Master Plan was the implementation of a regional drainage and detention plan. In 2021, PEDC led efforts to develop a second phase of the master drainage plan for Lower Kirby, coordinating with the City, the Lower Kirby Pearland Management District (LKPMD), and TxDOT. The plan was approved by the City and TxDOT in 2022.

As part of the plan, Laterals 2 & 3 were constructed to provide conveyance of storm water to the existing regional detention pond. Additionally, the construction of the West Conveyance Pond was also completed in 2022.

Construction has just begin on the first phase of a trail in Lower Kirby that will run along the western bank of a detention corridor starting at Endress+Hauser's facility all the way south to the pedestrian bridge at Clear Creek. The trail will include two shade structures, concrete bench seating for rest areas, and landscaping at the focused shade areas.

Pearland Developments: Winter 2023