By HELEN ERIKSEN
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle
Council touts growing membership

Last year, the Katy area gained 4,120 jobs, including several hundred stemming from expansion of two local hospitals, the leader of the Katy Area Economic Development Council said Tuesday.

Last year also saw strong area business development and council membership growth, council president and chief executive officer Lance LaCour said during the council’s general assembly meeting.

The Katy Memorial Hermann Hospital expansion project created 100 new jobs, adding 325,000 square feet and an investment of $110 million.

The Christus St. Catherine Hospital expansion resulted in 250 new jobs, 176,000 additional square feet and an investment of $50 million.

LaCour, who was hired to lead the council in 2005, said the organization increased membership last year by 15 to 80, bringing in $55,000 in new funding,

“Across the board, companies are investing a lot of money in the greater Katy area,” said the council’s vice president, Frank Lombard, who has been focused on conducting interviews with local businesses to determine where the council could provide guidance.

“We have a dynamic health-care community that’s growing very rapidly,” he said.

LaCour noted the planned grand opening next month of LaCenterra at the intersection of the Grand Parkway and Cinco Ranch Boulevard. ...more…