Life sciences CEOs weigh in on relocations to The Woodlands BY VANESSA HOLT & JESSICA SHORTEN
RECOVERY FROM LOSSES After the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, major nonretail employers recorded fewer employees in 2022.
Major nonretail employers in The Woodlands
costs in the state as a factor in deciding to look at the more “business-friendly” climate as well as its central location in the country. For Centric Infrastructure Group, the move to The Woodlands was based on a prior history as a Montgomery Coun- ty-based business. “It was unique to see the growth, which is due in large part to The Howard Hughes Corp.,” Barnswell said. “It’s one thing for a community to evolve; it’s another to grow
50,000
The CEOs of three companies that have moved their headquarters to The Woodlands in the last year discussed the rationale behind their decisions in a panel discussion at the Feb. 24 Economic Outlook Conference as well as some of their goals as they grow and develop in the area. CEOs Jaime Castle of Obagi Cosme- ceuticals, Robert S. Barnswell of Centric
40,119
40,000
30,000
36,684
20,000
25,314
0
Infrastructure Group and Deborah Wild of Cellipont Bioservices each spoke to the deci- sion-making process in moving their compa- nies to The Woodlands in the past year. They said a number of economic and lifestyle factors contributed to the move. “The Woodlands became a clear theme
Health care and education remained the employment sectors with the most employees in 2023, but energy dropped to fifth place. DIVERSE SECTORS
“IT’S ONE THING FOR A COMMUNITY TO EVOLVE; IT’S ANOTHER TO GROW AND MAINTAIN THE VALUES AT ITS CORE." ROBERT S. BARNSWELL, CEO, CENTRIC INFRASTRUCTURE GROUP
and maintain the values at its core.” Cellipont Bioser- vices is one of the largest relocations in a wave of life science industries coming to the area, acquiring a 76,000-square- foot facility at 9501 Lakeside Blvd. `
The Woodlands area major employers by sector
Health care - 30.4% 1 Education - 18.8% 2 Other - 15.9% 3 4 Energy - 8.1% 5 Chemical - 7.8% 6
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6
1
5
2022: 36,673 employees
Professional & business services - 11.5%
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for us. We did quite a few trips to get a feel of the community, and it was quite positive, and it was our A-plus from the beginning,” Castle said. Obagi Cosmeceuticals, now located at 9950 Woodloch Forest, The Woodlands, is composed of 87% female employees, according to Castle. She said part of the decision was economic—the majority of her employees had strong concerns about not being able to afford homes and start a family in California, where the company was previously based. Both Obagi and Cellipont’s headquarters were previously located in California, and both cited prohibitive
The Woodlands in 2022 to be converted to lab and office space. The Woodlands was attractive to Wild due to its proxim- ity to numerous medical facilities and two major airports, she said. “We knew we wanted to be central- ized, and we knew we needed to be near airports, and we have two airports within a stone’s throw, and we can get a cell therapeutic treatment to the east or west coast within 2-4 hours,” Wild said. Wild said company will also work with Lone Star College System and Texas A&M University to hire entry-level employees interested in life sciences.
2
Transportation, warehousing & utilities - 7.5%
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Health care - 30.9% 1 Education - 18.9% 2 Other - 14.7% 3
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1
5
2023: 40,119 employees
Professional & business services - 12%
4 Energy - 7.7% 5 Chemical - 7.6% 6
4
2
3
Transportation, warehousing & utilities - 8.3%
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SOURCE: THE WOODLANDS AREA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP/COMMUNITY IMPACT
• Smokey the Bear • Make your own First Aid Kit • EDITH (Exit Drill in The Home) • Hurricane in a Jar FREE AND FUN! New this year — Kids’ Activities!
Emergency Preparedness Program The Woodlands SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2023 10 a.m. to Noon at The Woodlands Township 2801 Technology Forest Blvd., The Woodlands, TX 77381
Neighborhood Services
For more information, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/getready
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THE WOODLANDS EDITION • MARCH 2023
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