BY RACHEL LELAND & JAMES T. NORMAN
What they’re saying
The options
PEDC incentives over time The PEDC offers incentives to businesses based on job creation and capital investment.
To help small businesses in town, the Pearland Economic Development Corporation has a number of programs and resources, PEDC Marketing Director Melissa Cook said. The main one is the Pearland Innovation Hub, which, in addition to events and networking, offers grants and technical assistance. Other resources, such as creating documents related to human resources and learning materials, are available as well. Advisors within the program can also direct business owners to other resources across the Greater Houston area, Cook said. “We have a lot to offer by all means, but we’re not everything,” Cook said. “We can’t be everything, but we can help you know what’s available.” Johnson and Carol Ives Marcantel, president of the Friendswood Chamber of Commerce, said events and networking opportunities are available through each chamber.
“At the end of the day, it depends on the quality of the food. Maybe our prices
$586,526
2018
had to go up a little bit, but we really try to keep them down as much as we could.”
$1,226,230
2019
$918,890
2020
LUIS PERLA, GENERAL MANAGER, MASA SUSHI
$1,562,825
2021
$954,361
2022
$1,113,455
2023
$942,246
2024
“Rising cost in food and labor are continuing to be the key indicator. ... If both of those exceed [a certain
SOURCE: PEARLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
level] as a relationship to sales, you have a problem.” MIKE SHINE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HOUSTON CHAPTER OF TEXAS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION
However, Shine said it’s common for restaurants not to be members of chambers. Luncheons and events often happen during the day—oftentimes when service is peaking.
Looking ahead
“Business is tough. It’s a tough world, especially right now. … [We offer] a one- stop shop called Pearland Innovation Hub … to be our resource
and avoid significant price increases. For Shine, he said it’s important for patrons to continue to eat out. “Neighborhood restaurants … are the backbone of our society and communities,” he said. “I encourage people to find them, seek them out, give them business and know them. That will encourage them to succeed.”
While struggles will continue to be ongoing for some, a few businesses are looking for creative ways to keep expenses down. Tyler Neubauer, general manager at the barbecue restaurant Big Horn in Manvel, said he’s observed fluctuations in pricing. Still, because the restaurant works with multiple vendors, they’ve been able to maintain margins
for small businesses and entrepreneurs.” MELISSA COOK, MARKETING DIRECTOR, PEARLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
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PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD - MANVEL EDITION
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