Our Rising Leaders Classes 3 & 4 met April 24th, 2019 for breakfast and a panel discussion over Economic Development. The event was held at La Madeline – Towne & Country and the panel consisted of Craig Rhodes of CenterPoint Energy, Lance LaCour of Katy EDC, Jason Ford of Greater Houston Partnership, and Jack Belt of Greater Fort Bend EDC.
The group began by sharing a little on each of their backgrounds and found that only two of them began thier careers in the economic development industry. Throughout the years all of them found that what brought companies and interest in our region was not the incentives each firm could offer. Instead, companies are beginning the trend of looking at what their workforce’s needs will be and how they will be met in the areas around their office space. The commute of each of their employees is now playing a factor as to where businesses will build their site. Employees no longer want to drive all the way into downtown when they live with their families in the Greater Houston region. Overall, this along with many other factors shape the decision making of large businesses.
Each of the panelists goal is to position Houston and it’s surrounding regions a top leader in diversity, innovation and development. Through partnerships with City, County & State entities we can help create the best Greater West Houston not just for us, but for the future residents as well. Thank you to all who could join us for our breakfast panel!