Conroe - Montgomery Edition | December 2024

A growing community From the cover

The current situation

New and incoming Montgomery businesses

Opened within the last year

Coming soon

Neighboring cities such as Conroe and Magnolia have paused new development via moratoriums due to water capacity, but Countryman said Montgomery has the infrastructure to support the growth. However, she said City Council is working to be intentional about development. “We’ve got a lot of open, empty canvas for growth,” Countryman said. “We want to keep our small Texas charming, historical town with the growth that’s coming and get our arms around that growth to ensure that it’s the right growth and best for the city. … It is a tightrope, and we’re trying to do the best that we can.” Within the last year, 14 businesses ranging from craft stores to a meat market have opened their doors in and around Montgomery, and at least two more shops are set to open before the end of the year, according to prior reporting by Community Impact. Countryman said Montgomery is also updating the language within city ordinances to reect a “modern-day” verbiage using the help of Kendig Keast Collaborative, KKC, a rm that specializes in zoning ordinances development and administration. Council held a special meeting Dec. 9 with KKC and discussed the potential changes to ordinances.

1 Pickleball Hideout 2 Krawfish Kai 3 Walden Coffee House 4 The Painted Potter Studio 5 Hibachi Express 6 PJ’s Coffee 7 rOcktopus Art & Jewelry 8 Amazing Grace Quilt Store

9 Spin In The Wind 10 Dental Boutique Montgomery

15 Crepes of Brittany Opening in late 2024 16 Mister Softee Montgomery Opening in late 2024 17 Highland Pine Coffee Company Opening in the spring of 2025 18 H-E-B Opening in late 2025

11 The Joint Chiropractic 12 Mariel’s Meat Market 13 Home Depot 14 Active Life Fitness and Pilates

149

10 11

LAKE CONROE

105

2854

149

FLAGSHIP BLVD.

MAP NOT TO SCALE N

NOTE: THIS LIST IS NONCOMPREHENSIVE.

SOURCES: CITY OF MONTGOMERY, LOCAL BUSINESSESCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Local population growth

How we got here

What they’re saying

77316

77356

City of Montgomery

Countryman said she believes people are relocating to Montgomery for its location and amenities. “We’ve got a lot of amenities that are very attractive to those that live in the hustle and bustle,” Countryman said. “When you have those [great] schools, and then those amenities, and then you have an open canvas for large lots, you’re going to be attractive.” Shannon Reid, director of community relations at the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce, said she believes those who move to Montgomery are a part of the “pioneering spirit” that makes it a special place. “It’s not surprising to me that they come here and want to build their dream out of nothingness right here in Montgomery, and I would hope that we would always cherish those folks,” Reid said. “It’s so precious to watch someone do that and have that dream and the sparkle in their eye.” Between 2017-2022, Montgomery’s population grew 62.4%, per the U.S. Census Bureau’s Ameri- can Community Survey 5-Year Estimates.

Chad and Taryn Fiebiger, who own The Highland Pine Company, moved to Mont- gomery from Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 2022. They said the decision to open their shop in the city in 2023 came after their ini- tial visit to Montgomery and falling in love with the community’s welcoming nature. “I feel so very blessed that we live here and that our business is here; and that we found this little gem of a place,” Taryn Fiebiger said. She said she understands that growth is good for their business, however, she hopes the city can stay true to its roots while continuing to grow. “I hope Montgomery doesn’t lose their hospitality and their friendliness and their welcoming of people. It’s just, it’s like nothing I’ve really ever experienced,” Taryn Fiebiger said. “We just hope that Montgom- ery can stay true to itself and continue to be the quaint small town that made us more in love with it in the first place.”

149

1375

105

249

21,272

2017 2022 2017 2022 2017 2022

+43.7%

30,577

25,888

+14%

29,515

997

+62.4%

1,620

SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU’S AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY 5-YEAR ESTIMATES/ COMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM