From the January/February 2019 Issue
The Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership (EDP) is a primary link to a highly successful business climate in Texas. As the leader in economic development in The Woodlands Area for over 21 years, the EDP coordinates all available resources to help facilitate relocations and expansions to this vibrant business and lifestyle community.
The EDP strives to assist businesses with access to all available incentives and resources from the federal, state or local level. Texas prides itself on its business-friendly tax structure and the state has no personal or corporate income tax.
Located just 27 miles north of Houston, The Woodlands Area includes The Woodlands and the cities of Oak Ridge North and Shenandoah.
The Woodlands, a master-planned community of 28,000 acres, has more than 5,000 acres dedicated to commercial development in several distinct areas. The City of Shenandoah has a growing population and the City has an abundance of commercial and retail development. Oak Ridge North features The Oak Ridge North Commerce Park, which is well suited for industrial and office space.
The Woodlands Area has enjoyed unprecedented commercial growth in the last several years and offers a pro-business atmosphere and unique class A office space.
The area’s economic base is well diversified with more than 8,000 businesses of all sectors and a combined investment of over $20.5 billion by all parties to date. These businesses range from owner-operated establishments to Fortune 500 corporate headquarters. The Woodlands Area is home to a variety of leading companies, including Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, CHI St. Luke’s Health—The Woodlands Hospital, ExxonMobil, Huntsman Corporation, McKesson Specialty Health, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center and Repsol USA.
The leading industry sector in The Woodlands Area is Energy. This sector represents 25 percent of the major employer’s total jobs with over 9,000 employees. The second largest industry, and fastest growing sector is Healthcare with 24 percent of our major employer’s jobs representing over 8,500 employees. Our community has four regional acute care hospitals within a 5 mile radius.
With over 61 percent of our population having a Bachelor’s Degree or higher, The Woodlands Area offers a lifetime of education from preschool through primary with three independent school districts and numerous private and college preparatory institutions. Lone Star College-Montgomery, Lamar University, National American University, Our Lady of the Lake University, Sam Houston State University, Stephen F. Austin State University and University of St. Thomas offer degrees from associates degrees to doctorate as well as workforce education, continuing education and developmental education programs.
The Woodlands Area is well situated among several major highway, airport and shipping systems. Montgomery County rests upon two main north and south arteries: I-45 and the Hardy Toll Road with an additional tollway of the East and West Grand Parkway.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport is the 10th busiest airport in the US, located just 15 miles south of The Woodlands Area.
Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport in Conroe, Texas is an all-weather airport, hosts over 300 aircraft, 240 hangars, a control tower, two FBOs, a general aviation terminal building, a U.S. Army Reserve Aviation unit and more than 20 businesses and several government agencies. The Conroe North Houston Regional Airport is also an International airport with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Federal Inspection Station to serve the needs of corporate and business travelers arriving from outside the United States.
The Port of Houston is consistently ranked first in the United States in foreign waterborne commerce, U.S. imports and export tonnage. It is also the nation’s leading break-bulk post, handling 65 percent of all major U.S. project cargo.
The Woodlands Area provides public transportation to include the Metro Park & Ride, also known as The Woodlands Express, offering parking and a shuttle services to all major Houston bus routes. The Brazos Transit District operates three round trip Park & Ride options in The Woodlands Area. The Woodlands Waterway Trolley complimentary service connects The Woodlands Mall, Market Street, businesses and residences along The Woodlands Waterway. Transit users include employees, residents and visitors to the numerous retail and office locations throughout the Town Center area.
The Woodlands Area offers everything from single-family production homes to custom estates, condominiums, townhomes, brownstones, and attractively priced apartments.
There is always something to do here, from the area’s multiple championship golf courses to miles of hike and bike trails, boating, fishing, water sports, world class shopping, as well as fine dining, and performances in the world-class outdoor amphitheater the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. The Woodlands Area invites you to experience our active and enriching quality of life.