From the cover
Future of Fort Bend County economic development unclear
Meet the ad hoc committee
In a nutshell
The FBEDC was founded in 1986 and has focused on promoting economic development agreements between potential employers and developers as well as cities and the county, o cials said. The organization is run by President and CEO Je Wiley and its sta members, but it’s governed by its board of directors composed of representatives from local cities and private businesses, which pay to be members, said Andy Meyers, Fort Bend County Precinct 3 commissioner and FBEDC board member. To make recommendations on how to move forward, in mid-March the county and the FBEDC’s eight-member executive committee of business leaders formed an ad hoc committee made of 14 members. An FBEDC representative declined Community Impact ’s request for an interview. Carlos Guzman, director of the county’s internal Economic Opportunity and Development department, said the committee will help determine the path for the county’s department and FBEDC. “We’re at a standstill, because once we know, ‘Hey the ad hoc decided you need to turn left instead of right,’ then at that point, that’ll be the structure the county ... is going to follow,” Guzman said. Meanwhile, Missouri City City Council voted March 4 to withdraw immediately from the FBEDC and seek $42,500 in reimbursements. Herman Rodriguez, executive director of economic development at Missouri City, said this is how much the city paid to the FBEDC in the scal year ending in June for memberships and marketing. While the FBEDC focuses mostly on attracting industrial businesses, Rodriguez said city sta looks to attract other types of businesses, such as restaurants and retail.
Tim Kinsinger Senior site director, Frito-Lay Rosenberg
Jared Jameson Co-chair; FBEDC executive committee chairman
Tim Je coat Co-chair; board director, Develop Richmond
Todd Meaux Head of HSE & facilities management, SLB
Aman Dhuka Board member, FBEDC
David Oliver Partner, Allen Boone Humphries Robinson
Jim Rice President, Rice & Gardner Consultants
Sidney Evans Senior advisor of business a airs, Reliant
Elizabeth Hu Economic development director, Sugar Land
Joe Esch Economic development director, Rosenberg
Carlos Guzman Director, Economic Opportunity and Development department
Jay Neal Associate vice president of academic a airs & chief operating o cer, University of Houston at Sugar Land and Katy
Committee focus The committee will make recommendations on: • How the county’s new department can work with cities and local economic development departments • How to move the FBEDC’s board forward under TIP Strategies’ recommendations, but the FBEDC board of directors will decide if they want the organization to continue
Kevin Riles Broker/owner, Kevin Riles Commercial
Kim Sachtleben Board chair, Central Fort Bend Chamber
SOURCE: FORT BEND COUNTY ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY IMPACT
The backstory
Early 2022: Fort Bend County creates the Economic Opportunity and Development department to prepare for population growth.
February 2023: The county and Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council hire TIP Strategies to create a ve-year strategic plan.
Jan. 9: At a special Commissioners Court meeting, chair Jared Jameson says Jan. 31 will be the last day for FBEDC sta members.
Jan. 10: FBEDC board delays vote on dissolving; FBEDC retains CEO Je Wiley and O ce Manager Carolyn Martin until all pathways are explored.
2022
2023
2024
October 2022: The county hires Carlos Guzman to head its new department.
Fall 2023: TIP Strategies gives the FBEDC’s executive committee two pathways on the organization’s future.
Dec. 18: County announces the FBEDC executive committee recommended dissolving in June 2024.
Mid-March: The county announces an ad hoc
March-June: The committee will meet monthly to determine recommendations for the strategic plan.
committee to determine the organizations’ strategic future.
SOURCES: FORT BEND COUNTY, GREATER FORT BEND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL COMMUNITY IMPACT
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