See How the Missouri City Economic Development Team Works for You

The Missouri City Economic Development Department has changed a lot over the past year, and it’s shaping up for the better. The department has created clear goals to benefit residents, support businesses, and foster more growth in the region.

“We’re a lean team – there are only three of us,” says David Gwin, Executive Director of the Economic Development Department. “We have to stay focused on what we set out to do.”

This powerhouse team is committed to attracting interest in Missouri City and growing investment opportunities. It intends to work closely with existing business owners to address their pain points, while bringing in outside companies that want to grow with the community.

If you aren’t familiar with economic development, see what this department is up to. If you haven’t checked in recently, keep reading to see what’s changed. 

Missouri City Will Be a Center for Redevelopment

One of the primary areas of focus for the Missouri City economic development team is identifying underutilized properties for redevelopment. Because this is an urban community, there isn’t an unlimited amount of undeveloped green space to build on. It’s time to evaluate properties that are underutilized to give them new life.

“Redevelopment comes in different forms. Sometimes it means repurposing an existing property, other times it involves scraping entire buildings and starting over,” says Gwin. “In either scenario, we conduct detailed analyses and careful planning to identify the best possible future for that site.”

For example, redevelopment could mean replacing a vacant storefront with a new concept from a new chef-entrepreneur. It could also mean tearing down an eyesore that is unsafe for the community and preparing the property for future use.

The goal of redevelopment is to identify assets in Missouri City that aren’t reaching their full potential and take steps to give these parcels new life. It involves detailed analysis, careful planning, and mindful development. 

New Opportunities Can Lead to Better Jobs

All residents benefit from economic development. Not only can they enjoy new businesses opening in previously undeveloped areas, but they can also seek better job opportunities in more mature areas. The Missouri City economic development team has a big-picture vision for the future that leads to higher-paying roles and space for career advancement.

“Ideally, we would like to move away from warehouse investment and attract more technology-driven manufacturing operators instead,” says Gwin. “Tech-focused manufacturing jobs tend to pay better and are more skilled, which leads to higher salaries for residents.”

Gwin adds that manufacturing firms are also harder to move, leading to longer-term and more permanent opportunities for residents.

Not everyone needs to work at a new manufacturing facility to enjoy economic development in Missouri City. New job opportunities increase residents' spending power. A new cafe opening its doors and the historic barbershop on the corner can grow as their customers earn more.

“Economic development makes the community better because it supports job creation and increases corporate and personal tax revenue,” says Gwin. “This leads to a higher quality of life with more amenities, opportunities, and resources for residents.”   

Economic Development is Made for Small Businesses 

Missouri City’s economic developers are committed to helping small business owners across the community. Owners and entrepreneurs can reach out to meet with Gwin and his team to discuss potential hurdles and growth opportunities.

Every major corporation started out as a small business, and it’s important to focus on the companies that already believe in Missouri City and support the residents and business community here.

“Our industry uses the concept of ‘Economic Gardening’ to describe focusing on small businesses to make sure they’re doing well and prospering,” says Gwin. “We want to make sure we have a diverse and healthy economic ecosystem.”

There’s an open-door policy with the department. If Gwin and his team cannot help your business, they will help connect you with resource partners and other local experts who can. 

See What Your Economic Development Professionals Do Next

The Missouri City Economic Development Department is just getting started. Reach out to the team to request a meeting and share your business needs. Follow their news updates for more stories about the community's growth. Connect on social media and see Missouri City evolve over time.

There’s a bright future for Missouri City, Texas, with clear goals for growth and a commitment to helping all residents enjoy a higher quality of life.