2015 Annual Report
LETTER FROM OUR CHAIR
Greetings friends, colleagues and community partners,
The year 2015 was a special one for the Pearland Economic Development Corporation (PEDC).
We celebrated our 20th anniversary and ushered in another year of remarkable economic
growth, with sales tax revenues reaching a record $28.4 million for Pearland. Two years ago,
we adopted the Pearland 20/20 Community Strategic Plan. We remained committed to
implementing this plan during 2015, and as such, we launched numerous initiatives, activities
and partnerships that are helping us make phenomenal progress toward the future vision of
our City. The highlights are quite impressive.
The PEDC partnered with companies that will bring more than 500 new jobs and $125 million
in capital investment to the community. We welcomed Tool-Flo Manufacturing, FloWorks
International and Profile Wire to Pearland and assisted Brask, Inc. Neela and M&S Logistics
with expansions. Working with retailers and developers, we brought new shopping options
to our residents, including the new Costco on Business Center Drive.
Redevelopment, beautification and infrastructure initiatives progressed, including the City’s
first gateway and entry feature. We created the State Highway 35 Redevelopment Strategy,
continued implementation of the 288 Corridor Master Plan and achieved milestones in our
regional detention and underground electricity initiatives for the Lower Kirby District.
To keep us headed down the road of success, the Steering Committee for the Pearland 20/20
Community Strategic Plan championed a mid-course update to the plan. It examined key
successes and challenges thus far and adjusted implementation activities accordingly,
allowing the PEDC and its allies to best carry out the remainder of the plan.
As we move into 2016, all of us at the PEDC remain focused on maintaining our position as one
of the nation’s most effective and efficient economic development organizations. As we team
with City and community partners to ensure Pearland remains prepared for future population
and economic growth, we will keep working to create new possibilities for the City and its
residents. Because, as we all know, the best business opportunity in Houston is due south.
Sincerely,
Chair, Rushi Patel
Should you have any questions, comments or concerns regarding this report,
please contact the PEDC at 281-997-3000 or info@pearlandedc.com.
PEARLAND 20/20
COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLAN
In 2015, impressive strides were made in many of
key successes and challenges – the guideposts for
the key initiatives outlined in the Pearland 20/20
driving success in the plan’s final two-and-a-half
Community Strategic Plan. New companies were
years. As part of this update, the PEDC conducted
successfully recruited to the City. Mobility
an implementation assessment, which included the
efforts advanced on the 288 toll road
and other key projects. Pearland’s
beautification efforts will soon
be visible to all residents
with the new Cullen
Boulevard gateway
following: a facilitated group discussion with
the Steering Committee; focus groups
on specific initiatives; interviews
with the PEDC, City staff and
community partners; and a
targeted online survey. Data
entry feature and 288
gathered from these sources
Corridor improvements.
was used to make revisions
Progress also continued
to the Pearland 20/20
on the State Highway 35
Community Strategic Plan.
Redevelopment Plan
In late 2015, the Steering
and the Lower Kirby
Committee and the PEDC
District project.
board approved the updated
plan, with Pearland City Council
While the initial years of the
approval following in January 2016.
Pearland 20/20 Community Strategic
Plan implementation have been extremely active,
it is important to sustain this momentum through
the remaining years. As a result, the Pearland 20/20
Steering Committee championed a mid-course
update to the plan to get a big-picture sense of
To view the entire plan and its key initiatives,
visit www.pearland2020.com.
CONTINUED BUSINESS
GROWTH IN PEARLAND
The PEDC’s recruitment and retention efforts during
facility. The PEDC, City and Brazoria County officials
2015 will result in more than $125 million in capital
began working with FloWorks in late 2013 on the
investment for the community.
plans to consolidate existing Houston operations and
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Compressor
International Corp. celebrates grand
opening of Pearland facility
In April 2015, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Compressor International Corp (MCO-I) celebrated
the grand opening of Pearland Works, its new
office, manufacturing and service facility in the
City’s Lower Kirby District. It is the first U.S.-based
manufacturing and service location for the
Japanese-owned company.
The 180,000-square-foot facility, located at 14888
Kirby Drive, houses packaging and assembly, vertical
and horizontal rotor storage, repair and maintenance
services, administrative offices and a training center.
In addition, MCO-I also constructed a 49,500-squarefoot warehouse facility, which opened in late 2015.
The Pearland Works complex currently has
approximately 85 employees, but that number
is estimated to rise to 200 with future growth.
group management from many of its companies into
one regional facility.
Capping off almost two years of recruitment efforts
from the PEDC, FloWorks hosted a groundbreaking
ceremony in September 2015 to launch construction
on the 225,000-square-foot facility. It will be located
on a 41-acre site northwest of the Bailey Road and
State Highway 35 intersection.
Scheduled for completion in 2016, the facility
will be home to approximately 80 employees,
including executive management, sales, operations,
administrative, accounting and warehouse personnel.
It is expected to generate more than $70 million in
investment for the community.
Tool-Flo to build new facility in Pearland
Tool-Flo Manufacturing, Inc. selected a site
in Pearland’s Lower Kirby District for its new
headquarters, training and manufacturing facility.
FloWorks breaks ground on
new regional facility in Pearland
Tool-Flo is part of the IMC Group, a Berkshire
FloWorks International, a leading specialty supplier
Hathaway owned company and one of the world’s
of pipe, valves, fittings and related products, selected
largest companies for metalworking products
a Pearland site for its new warehouse and operations
and metal-removal technology. Supplying a
dynamic comprehensive line of precision carbide
metalworking tools, IMC also provides engineering
and manufacturing solutions to major industries
throughout the world.
The PEDC and City officials began working with
IMC Group in early 2015 to select a Pearland site for
the Tool-Flo project. The 78,000-square-foot facility
will be located on a 15-acre site on the southeast
corner of Kirby Drive and N. Spectrum Boulevard
and is slated for completion in 2017. Featuring
office, manufacturing and training space, it will be
home to approximately 188 employees, including
management, engineering, sales, operations and
administrative personnel.
M&S Logistics expands, relocates Pearland office
M&S Logistics, a global tank container operator
headquartered in Sandbach, England, relocated
its Pearland office to the Sunrise Lake Center on
Broadway in October 2015. The PEDC began working
with the company earlier in the year on its search for
new office space. The 6,000-square-foot Pearland
location provides the growing bulk-liquid transport
company much needed additional office space and
accommodations for 20 new employees.
Founded in 1996, M&S Logistics has regional offices
in the U.S., South Africa, Asia and The Netherlands.
All American operations are conducted out of the
recently expanded Pearland office, which serves
as the regional headquarters for North and
South America.
Profile Wire builds manufacturing facility in Pearland
Profile Wire began construction on a 22,000-squarefoot manufacturing facility on Industrial Drive near State
Highway 35 in early 2015. A division of Zapp Precision
Wire, Inc., Profile Wire manufactures high-grade,
stainless steel wire and other wire-fabricated products.
The PEDC began working with the company in 2011
to locate a site for its new manufacturing facility, which
will house 17 employees and generate more than $3
million in investment. Construction is expected to be
complete in early 2016.
Brask, Inc. Neela improves facility,
expands employee base
Brask, Inc. Neela has continued to prosper since
the PEDC recruited the company to Pearland in
2010. The Louisiana-based business, which services
petrochemical and chemical customers worldwide,
called on the PEDC in 2015 when it wanted to hire
additional employees and build-out additional space
within its manufacturing facility. The PEDC’s retention
efforts will result in up to 20 additional jobs and
$300,000 in capital investment at Brask, Inc. Neela’s
100,000-square-foot facility on Industrial Drive.
REDEVELOPMENT AND
BEAUTIFICATION EFFORTS
Pearland’s rapid growth requires investments in
on the monument sign and landscaping north of
infrastructure and beautification that establish our
McHard Road in December 2015. TxDOT will begin
community as a unique location characterized by its
landscaping construction south of McHard Road in
own sense of place. Beautification efforts are also
spring 2016.
a City goal and a priority within the Pearland 20/20
Community Strategic Plan. In 2014, the City Gateway
Strategy and 288 Corridor Master Improvements
Plan were created, with great progress made on
each during 2015.
Gateway and entry features under construction
The gateway monument features a timeless and
flexible City entry structure design, with components
that can be scaled for use at major and secondary
gateways and neighborhoods. Gateways are
scheduled to occur in phases over time, with
Cullen Boulevard, Pearland Parkway and Dixie
Farm Road earmarked as the first locations for
the new entry features.
Cullen Boulevard was identified as a priority
since landscaping was not included in the recent
reconstruction of the boulevard from FM 518 north
to Clear Creek. Throughout 2015, the PEDC and the
City partnered with Keep Pearland Beautiful (KPB)
to work on the landscaping and construction plans,
using a $270,000 grant that KPB received the year
prior from the Texas Department of Transportation
(TxDOT). The Cullen Boulevard project will be
done in two phases. The PEDC began construction
Construction plans were outlined in 2015 for the
Dixie Farm Road and Pearland Parkway entry
features, with bidding for both projects expected to
begin in early 2016. The scope of work for Pearland
Parkway includes a gateway sign complete with the
following: landscaping; replanting of trees in the
median from the roundabout up to Clear Creek;
enhanced landscaping at the Star Monument and
the median; two large fountains for the existing
detention ponds located on either side of the road;
electricity extension to the sign and fountains;
irrigation in the enhanced areas; and power washing
and painting of the bridge over Clear Creek.
Construction plans for the Dixie Farm Road project
were outlined in 2015 and include a gateway sign
with landscaping adjacent to the detention pond.
Both plans are currently out for bid.
288 Corridor beautification efforts continue
In 2015, the PEDC, City and the Pearland Municipal
Management District No. 2 worked to implement
the long-term projects from the 288 Corridor Master
Improvements Plan in unison with the Brazoria
County Toll Road Authority and TxDOT’s plans for
the managed toll lanes.
The PEDC worked with Brazoria County to add
compatible land uses and supportive amenities. It
hardscape enhancements such as retaining walls,
outlines the “big picture” strategic actions needed
brick pavers, grading and detention pond amenities
to encourage more investment along SH 35. The
to the county’s State Highway 288 Managed Lane
redevelopment plan also includes streetscape
construction plans.
improvements and catalyst sites – parcels within
the corridor with potential to catalyze additional
The PEDC also began designing plans for the toll
development and redevelopment.
lane entrance at Hughes Ranch/Discovery Bay Drive
and the McHard/Shadow Creek Parkway, Broadway
and Beltway 8 interchanges. The completed design
documents will depict actual materials, sizes and
specific locations of all landscape elements, fine
grading, lighting, fountains, irrigation, sidewalks
and gateway markers.
Launch of State Highway 35/
Main Street Redevelopment Strategy
In 2015, the PEDC worked to further a redevelopment
plan for State Highway 35, Pearland’s oldest
major corridor and one that includes several key
intersections and entryways into the City. A steering
committee of corridor representatives created a
detailed strategy to revitalize SH 35 as an improved
employment and commercial business center with
Cullen Entry Feature
Lower Kirby District
Regional detention and infrastructure improvements in
the Lower Kirby District are major priorities in the Pearland
20/20 Community Strategic Plan and the Lower Kirby
Master Plan. The PEDC and community partners made
great progress on both initiatives over the past year.
The PEDC worked with the City, Lower Kirby Pearland
Management District, Pearland Municipal Management
District No. 1 and the Texas Department of Transportation
(TxDOT) to approve a memorandum of understanding to
use the existing TxDOT drainage ditch and the District’s
existing pond east of Kirby for regional detention.
A series of box culverts were installed to enclose Kirby
Ditch, which is located alongside the future S. Spectrum
Boulevard. This will allow for another major east-west
corridor in the Lower Kirby District and will provide access
to additional development sites in the area.
In partnership with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Compressor
Corp., the PEDC and the City finalized agreements and
construction plans for the reconstruction of Hooper Road.
This project, which will upgrade the road to handle the
additional traffic from developments in the area, should be
completed in 2016.
The PEDC and the City installed an underground electricity
conduit along the east side of Kirby Drive that will serve
existing properties. In addition, the PEDC approved
agreements in late 2015 to further extend this underground
line to the north side of the Kirby Ditch and east along
S. Spectrum Boulevard.
ENSURING CONTINUED RETAIL
GROWTH AND OUTSTANDING QUALITY
OF LIFE FOR PEARLAND RESIDENTS
From new retail options and amenities to hospitals
and healthcare facilities, quality of life developments
for Pearland residents flourished in 2015.
Costco opens store in Pearland
In November 2015, Costco celebrated the opening
of its 150,000-square-foot store on Business Center
Drive, just south of Pearland Town Center. The
PEDC and the City began working with Costco in
2014 and assisted the retailer with infrastructure
reimbursement assistance and tax rebates for the
project. The new store employs approximately 150
individuals and is expected to generate $30 million
in investment for the community.
Center at Pearland Parkway retail
center adds new tenants
Stream Realty’s Center at Pearland Parkway, which
opened in late 2014, continued to expand during
2015. The 165,000-square-foot center includes new
tenants MOD Pizza, Chipotle, Panera Bread and
Pei Wei. More development is expected in 2016.
Sprouts Farmers Market opens first Pearland store
In September 2015, Sprouts Farmers Market
opened a 28,000-square-foot location in Pearland
on Broadway, just east of Cullen Boulevard. The
Pearland store is the first location in the south
Houston region for the Phoenix-based chain, which
offers fresh, natural and organic foods to customers
in 10 states.
City of Pearland opens Hickory Slough Sportsplex
In October 2015, Hickory Slough Sportsplex opened
its doors on Hughes Ranch Road, just north of FM
518. Funded as part of a voter-approved bond
proposal, the new $7.9 million outdoor sportsplex
features six multipurpose sports/soccer fields,
a concession stand, restrooms, a large shade canopy
and parking for up to 400 vehicles. The PEDC
invested $700,000 into the sportsplex, helping to
ensure Pearland remains a competitive recreation
and cultural destination for residents and visitors.
City opens first full-service hospital
one-stop, highly coordinated access to adult and
In February 2015, Hospital Corporation of America
pediatric primary care, specialty physicians, sports
(HCA) opened Pearland Medical Center, a 33-bed,
medicine and rehabilitation, and a 24-hour emergency
acute care hospital in Pearland – the first of its kind
room. The campus also contains a medical office
in the City. Pearland Medical Center is located on
building, with a second 100,000-sqare-foot, Class A
a 48-acre site on Shadow Creek Parkway that is
office building under construction.
also home to a full-service, freestanding 24-hour
emergency department, imaging center and a three-
The centerpiece of the new medical campus will
story, 80,000-square-foot medical office building.
be a four-story, 64-bed acute care hospital, which
will feature an intensive care unit, operating rooms,
The $71 million hospital spans 144,000 square
cardiac catheterization labs, medical/surgical units,
feet and features surgical suites, medical/surgical/
women’s and neonatology services. Both the medical
intensive care beds, an emergency department, an
office building and hospital will open in 2016.
imaging department (with MRI and CT technology),
catheterization lab, echocardiogram testing and
nuclear medicine modalities. The women’s services
unit provides digital mammography, labor and
delivery suites, Cesarean section operating rooms
and a newborn nursery.
Construction begins on
Pearland Medical Commons
Houston Methodist Primary Care Group
started construction in March 2015 on a 46,000
-square-foot primary care practice on Broadway.
Pearland Medical Commons, which is slated for
Expansion continues on Memorial
Hermann medical campus
completion in early 2016, will house 10 board-
Construction continued on the expansion of Memorial
The practice will also offer orthopedic and sports
Hermann’s medical campus along State Highway
medicine, heart and vascular services, a diagnostic
288. The 40-acre multi-purpose complex is currently
lab and an imaging center with a three-tesla MRI and
home to an outpatient imaging center, diagnostic lab
64-slice scanner, X-ray, ultrasound and bone density
services and a convenient care center. It provides
testing equipment.
certified primary care physicians and 30 exam rooms.
PEDC CELEBRATES
20TH ANNIVERSARY
To meet the demands of the rapidly growing
individuals at its 120,000-square-foot headquarters
population, voters created the PEDC in 1995 to
on N. Main Street.
attract new businesses to the area, assist current
businesses and increase local job opportunities for
Bailey Road and McHard Road Bridges
residents. As we celebrate 20 years of serving the
To improve connectivity across the City, the PEDC
businesses and residents of Pearland, here’s a look
invested $13.5 million between 2003 and 2007 in the
back at some of our most notable accomplishments.
road extension and bridge on Bailey Road and $3.2
million during 2003 in the McHard Road Bridge.
Kelsey-Seybold Clinic
These two projects not only improve access to
In July 2013, Kelsey-Seybold opened its
industrial ground, but are instrumental in providing
170,000-square-foot administrative headquarters on
four-lane access across the entire City.
Shadow Creek Parkway. Today, this facility employs
more than 860 individuals who support Kelsey-
Merit Medical Systems, Inc.
Seybold’s 350+ physicians at more than 20 clinic
In 2011, Merit Medical chose Pearland as the
locations throughout the region.
site for its new research and development and
manufacturing facility. Headquartered in Utah, the
Pearland Recreation Center and Natatorium
company manufactures more than 2,000 proprietary,
Between 2008 and 2009, the PEDC invested more
disposable medical devices used in diagnostic and
than $1.9 million in the new Pearland Recreation
interventional cardiology and radiology procedures.
Center and Natatorium on Bailey Road. The
Today, 330 of Merit’s 2,300 employees work out of
107,000-square-foot fitness center opened to
the 120,000-square-foot Pearland facility.
the community in July 2010 and is home to a
gymnasium, weight room, activity room, racquetball
Kirby Drive
courts, an elevated indoor track and a 50-meter
In 2006, the PEDC invested $6.5 million to extend
competition pool.
Kirby Drive from Shadow Creek Parkway to Beltway
8. This extension provided access to hundreds of
Kemlon Products
acres of undeveloped property in the Lower Kirby
Kemlon Products broke ground on its Pearland
District, thereby increasing development potential.
engineering and manufacturing facility in 1997.
It also helped make substantial progress toward
The first major high-tech manufacturing company
transforming the district into Pearland’s most
to move to Pearland, the wiring device
intensive mixed-use employment, residential and
manufacturer today employs more than 120
entertainment area.
PEDC MISSION STATEMENT
The Pearland Economic Development Corporation is committed to enhancing
our community’s economic vitality through the attraction, retention and
expansion of primary employers. The PEDC works to ensure our business
climate and built environment strongly support these efforts by focusing
on aesthetics, infrastructure, quality of life, image, workforce and quality
development and redevelopment of key Pearland districts and corridors.
PEDC FINANCIALS
FY 2015
FY 2016
YEAR-ENDADOPTED
ACTUALBUDGET
OPERATING REVENUES
Sales Tax
9,409,830 10,159,649
Interest Income
151,990
85,000
Intergovernmental
775,5041,611,300
Miscellaneous 442,234460,000
TOTAL
10,779,558 12,315,949
EXPENDITURES
Operating
1,350,969
2,020,888
Incentives
401,447
3,594,342
Transfers Out/Intergovernmental
204,971
Infrastructure975,361
Bond Payments
8,498,288
1,420,458
Inventory
5,000
Capital
274,958
5,155,000
TOTAL
11,705,994 12,195,688
NET CHANGE IN FUND BALANCE
(926,435)123,261
FUND BALANCE - BEGINNING
19,155,48913,117,177
RESERVE
FUND BALANCE - ENDING
$ 18,229,054
13,240,438
The PEDC was created in 1995 as a nonprofit, Type B corporation under the Texas Development Corporation Act. It is primarily
financed by a half-cent sales tax collected in the City of Pearland. State law allows the City to collect this sales tax to pursue
specifically authorized economic development activities within Pearland.
The seven members of the PEDC’s board of directors are appointed by and serve at the discretion of the Pearland City Council.
The Corporation’s annual budget is also approved by City Council.
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Patel
Stevener
Dansby
Barry
Chavarria
Patton
Wendell
Rushi Patel, Chair, joined the PEDC board in 2009. He also serves on the board of trustees for the Pearland Medical Center (an
HCA-Affiliated Hospital) and the Pearland Municipal Management District No.2. He previously served on the board of directors for
the Pearland Adult Reading Center and as secretary/treasurer for the Pearland Chamber of Commerce. He is the vice president of
Omkar Enterprises Management, LLC, a hotel development company.
Lucy Stevener, Vice-Chair, joined the PEDC board in 2001 and previously served as chair for the Pearland Chamber of Commerce.
She is the former hospital administrator for Pearland Animal Hospital.
Brandon Dansby, Secretary, joined the PEDC board in 2011. He previously served as chair of the Pearland Chamber of Commerce
and as a board member for the Development Authority of Pearland. He is also a member of the Pearland Lions Club and currently
serves as senior vice president for Pearland State Bank.
Jeff Barry joined the PEDC board in 2014. He is also president of the Pearland ISD Education Foundation board of directors and
previously served as a director for the Pearland Chamber of Commerce and Adult Reading Center. He is the owner of Barry
Insurance Group.
Mona Chavarria joined the PEDC board in 2014. A member of the board of directors for the Adult Reading Center, she also served
as its president, vice president and treasurer. Other board service includes member of the Pearland ISD Education Foundation,
Silverlake Lions Club, and past chair and treasurer/secretary of the Pearland Chamber of Commerce. She is the president/owner
of A&A Cleaning Services in Pearland.
Hugh Patton, DDS joined the PEDC board in 2014. He is a vice president for the Pearland Lions Club, as well as a board member
for Keep Pearland Beautiful, the 100 Club of Pearland and the Texas First Bank Business Development Board. He also serves on the
Council on Membership for the Texas Dental Association. Patton is the owner of Silver Creek Dental.
Reid Wendell joined the PEDC board in 2015. He is also a member of the Pearland Lions Club and a committee member of the
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. He currently serves as assistant vice president of commercial banking for Frost Bank.
PEDC staff and leadership wish to express their sincere appreciation to outgoing board member Sheila Fischer for
her service on the board.
EXECUTIVE STAFF
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
Matt Buchanan, President
Brian Malone, Vice President
Melissa Black, Director of Marketing
Valerie Marvin, Development Manager
Roxanne Luna-Larsen, Office Coordinator
Tom Reid, Pearland Mayor
Clay Pearson, Pearland City Manager
George Bush
Intercontinental
Airport
Carol Artz-Bucek, Pearland Chamber
of Commerce President and CEO
Matt Buchanan, PEDC President
Downtown
Houston
Medical
Center
WWW.PEARLANDEDC.COM
FORGET BUSINESS FRIENDLY, WE’RE BUSINESS OBSESSED
281.997.3000
1200 PEARLAND PARKWAY, SUITE 200; PEARLAND, TEXAS 77581
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