By HELEN ERIKSEN CHRONICLE CORRESPONDENT
Katy Area Economic Development Council president Lance LaCour said growth in Katy’s business sector remained steady in 2008 despite tough economic times.
LaCour said the council had its second audit and finished the year “in the black” during his delivery of the annual report at a March 10 general assembly meeting.
The report highlighted the year’s top projects either under way or near the start of construction in the areas of infrastructure, retail, energy industries and services, and real estate developments.
LaCour and other business leaders say they are excited about the growth in Katy where more than a dozen projects announced in 2008 represent a capital investment of $273 million in 1.4 million square feet of space. LaCour said the ventures could create about 5,400 jobs.
“I would say that’s a pretty good year in a major recession,” he said.
But LaCour said the most important project the council helped facilitate last year was the $200 million KBR proposal to bring 4,000 jobs to the Katy area. KBR officials said plans to build the 910,000-square-foot campus along the Grand Parkway and Interstate 10 have been indefinitely postponed because of the economic downturn.
Major projects in the area during 2008 included the Miller Career and Technology Center, representing a $17.9 million investment by the Katy school district. LaCour said the council worked closely with the district to help promote the resources the facility offers local businesses.
Kraton Polymers LLC announced plans in December to relocate to the Katy area in an 85,000-square-foot building on Park Row. LaCour said the $7 million project will create 100 jobs.
Monuments have been erected for the Reserve at the Grand Parkway near Kingsland Boulevard, a 92-acre commercial development by the Vista Companies.
LaCenterra retail center, which debuted two years ago at 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd., has begun work on Phase II, adding 160,000 square feet more space.
WoodCreek Development and BPI Realty Services Inc. are jointly developing Katy Main Street, a 85-acre mixed-use project with 500,000 square feet of office space plus retail space and a full-service hotel at the corner of Interstate 10 and Pin Oak in Katy.
Other notable undertakings the council helped facilitate include a $4.2 million Kingsland Extension project by Harris County and the Technology Center of West Houston launch of the Katy Dock incubator in October. Located in a 26,000-square-foot building at 1773 Westborough Drive, Katy Dock provides mentoring and technical assistance to technology start-ups.
The council has created a new administrative position to support existing programs and membership has increased by 22 members, LaCour said. To boost its profile, the group advertised in local newspapers and magazines, in addition to distributing press releases and newsletters to about 1,000 people.
Council members also heard a presentation from meeting sponsor Carol Adams, executive director of the Katy Heritage Society. Adams gave an update on plans to rehabilitate historical buildings and sites in Katy.
The council will focus this year on supporting education and boosting workforce programs including a joint initiative with the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce to “bring back” the Workforce Solutions office to Katy.
helen.eriksen@chron.com
