Economy and Jobs
Please provide comments at the bottom once you have reviewed the action items.
ECONOMY and JOBS
DRAFT Goals, Projects, and ACTION STEPS
GOAL: Diverse Economic Development (76)
Fort Bend Houston Super Neighborhood (FBH SN) 41 Plan #4 of TOP 6
Advocate for a diversity of new retail and commercial development
ACTION STEPS: Advocate for new commercial development, including a high-quality grocery store, restaurants, and banking services; Identify incentives to attract new development such as 380 agreements, 381 GLO Texas Back in Business resources, Opportunity Zones, and economic development funds such as state enterprise projects and new market tax credits
COORDINATION
- Community: Fort Bend Houston NST | Community Role: Advocate, Support
- City: Mayor’s Office of Economic Development | City Role: Support, Implement
- Community Connectors: TIRZ #25, Office of Business Opportunity, Fort Bend Super Neighborhood | Role: Advocate, Support
Establish a Fort Bend Houston Development Task Force
ACTION STEPS: Establish a Fort Bend Houston development task force comprised of elected officials, government agencies, stakeholders, and developers, to create guidelines and a plan for new development, including commercial, industrial, and large-scale warehousing
COORDINATION
- Community: Fort Bend Houston NST | Role: Organize, Implement
- City: Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities | Role: Support
- Community Connectors: TIRZ #25, Area HOAs, Area Property Owners, Area Business Owners, Elected Officials | Role: Implement
Create a Fort Bend Houston Development Plan
ACTION STEPS: Develop a plan that identifies priorities and incentives for new development and investment, including commercial and industrial spaces, such as a technology or business center, start-up spaces, business incubators, and re-purposing of vacant retail centers
COORDINATION
- Community: Fort Bend Houston NST | Role: Organize, Advocate
- City: Planning and Development Department, Mayor’s Office of Economic Development | Role: Support
- Community Connectors: Area Developers and Property Owners, TIRZ #25 | Role: Support, Implement
Advocate for the Edison Arts Complex
ACTION STEPS: Advocate for the completion of the Edison Arts project which will include an arts center and redevelopment of the Willowridge Shopping Center located at W. Fuqua St. and Blueridge Rd, into new retail spaces
COORDINATION
- Community: Fort Bend Houston NST | Role: Advocate
- City: Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, Housing, and Community Development Department | Role: Support
- Community Connectors: George E. Johnson Development, TIRZ #25 | Role: Support, Implement
GOAL: Strong Local Economy (7)
FBH SN41 Plan #3 of TOP 6
Support and expand locally owned small businesses
ACTION STEPS: The Office of Business Opportunity to develop outreach materials and host community-based workshops promoting the programs and services available through the Solutions Center, including business development resources, legal counseling, minority and women-owned business certification workshops, and information on Hire Houston First policies
COORDINATION
- Community: Fort Bend Houston NST | Role: Organize, Outreach
- City: Office of Business Opportunity | Role: Support, Organize, Outreach, Implement
- Community Connectors: TIRZ #25, Area small business owners and entrepreneurs | Role: Support
GOAL: Comprehensive Workforce Development (5)
Develop a Career and Life Skills Training Center
ACTION STEPS: Advocate for the development of a career and life skills training center in the community, to provide financial literacy courses, life skills, vocational training, and career development; Explore the potential of locating the center at Willowridge High School in partnership with HCC
COORDINATION
· Community: Fort Bend Houston NST | Role: Advocate
· City: Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities, Houston Public Library, Mayor’s Office of Education | Role: Support
· Community Connectors: FBISD, HCC, Area Employers, SER Jobs, Gulf Coast Workforce Board, Houston Financial Empowerment Center | Role: Support, Implement