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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION
VOLUME 8, ISSUE 2 JUNE 22JULY 25, 2023
HEALTH CARE EDITION 2023
HEALTH CARE EDITION 2023 SPONSORED BY • HCA Houston Healthcare • Kingwood Emergency Hospital • Memorial Urgent Clinic
Hella Bubble now serving bubble tea in Kingwood
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Additional $29M allocated for Lake Houston dredging
Environment
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At Greenpath Pharmacy, located on Hwy. 59 in Kingwood, pharmacy technician Cecilia Noyola stocks medications. The pharmacy is one of thousands of pharmacies nationwide struggling with ongoing drug shortages. (Emily Lincke/Community Impact)
Zammitti’s serves Sicilian- inspired eats in Kingwood
Lake Houston area grapples with ongoing drug shortages Widespread drug shortages have been seen across the U.S. since the fall, experts say, leaving Lake Houston-area patients and medical professionals scrambling to meet their needs. University of Utah Drug Information Service report for the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists. This represents a 23% increase in drug shortages from one year ago. Ongoing and active drug shortages are the most numerous they’ve been since 2014, according to the report. Beginning in about October, some of the biggest drug shortages have been seen with Albuterol, Adderall and Ozempic, said Dr. Joshua Wollen, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Houston’s pharmacy practice and translation research department. The drugs are typically prescribed to treat asthma, attention- decit/hyperactivity disorder and diabetes, respectively. CONTINUED ON 24 BY EMILY LINCKE At the end of the rst quarter of this year, 301 drug shortages were ongoing nationwide, according to a
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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • JUNE 2023
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THIS ISSUE
ABOUT US Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today. We have expanded to include hundreds of team members and have created our own software platform and printing facility. CI delivers 35+ localized editions across Texas to more than 2.5 million residential mailboxes. MARKET TEAM GENERAL MANAGER Kim Giannetti EDITOR Hannah Brol REPORTERS Wesley Gardner, Emily Lincke SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Ronald Winters ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Richard Hernandez METRO LEADERSHIP PUBLISHER Jason Culpepper SENIOR MANAGING EDITOR Matt Stephens COPY EDITOR Adrian Gandara ART PRODUCTION MANAGER Ethan Pham CONTACT US 16300 Northwest Freeway Jersey Village, TX 77040 • 2814696181 CI CAREERS communityimpact.com/careers PRESS RELEASES lhknews@communityimpact.com ADVERTISING lhkads@communityimpact.com Learn more at communityimpact.com/advertising EMAIL NEWSLETTERS communityimpact.com/newsletter SUPPORT US Join your neighbors by giving to the CI Patron program. Funds support our journalistic mission to provide trusted, local news in your community. Learn more at communityimpact.com/cipatron
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS MONTH
FROM KIM: Houston has long been considered a mecca for a variety of health care needs. People travel from all around the world to seek medical attention and great care here. To learn more about the health care oerings available in the Lake Houston community, check out our annual Health Care Edition, which runs from Pages 14-25. I wish you all great health, but it’s good to know if you need medical attention, you are living in the right place. Kim Giannetti, GENERAL MANAGER
FROM HANNAH: Adderall, Albuterol and Ozempic are just a few of the roughly 300 drug shortages that were reported nationwide in the rst quarter of 2023. In the Lake Houston area, many pharmacists and patients are likewise struggling to get the medications they need on a monthly basis. To learn more about these ongoing drug shortages and how they’re impacting the local community, see our front-page story, which continues on Pages 24-25. Hannah Brol, EDITOR
Meet Jason Culpepper
Houston Metro Publisher
What’s your typical day as a CI Publisher? JC: It begins with reading our email newsletters, then touching base with sta¢ers covering our Houston communities. I also like to stay close to our customers and trends in the region. Attending chamber lunches or networking is something I prioritize, and keeping on top of the operational needs and £nancial health of our metro £lls out my week. I strive to serve my team each day based on where their needs are.
How do you spend your free time? JC: I serve on several boards within the Cy-Fair community where I grew up and where I’m raising my family. Patronizing local businesses, speci£cally our advertising partners, is also ful£lling to me. Aside from Community Impact, what have you read recently? JC: I just £nished “The Intentional Year,” “Smart Brevity,” “The Measure,” “The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry” and “Intimate Allies.”
Email newsletters are booming for CI; why should readers subscribe? JC: They really are the best way to stay informed with the news of the day plus entertaining items, like new restaurants opening and events to plan your weekend.
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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • JUNE 2023
IMPACTS
Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding
NOW OPEN 1 Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers celebrated the grand opening of its new location in Valley Ranch Town Center on May 16. Located at 109 Eagle Drive, New Caney, Raising Cane’s oers a menu of 100% premium white-meat chicken tenders, crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw, Texas toast and its signature Cane’s sauce as well as freshly brewed iced tea and fresh- squeezed lemonade. 409-225-9700. www.raisingcanes.com 2 Hella Bubble celebrated the grand opening of its new Kingwood location April 22. Located at 2714 W. Lake Houston Parkway, Ste. 158, the Houston- based business oers fruit teas, milk teas, lattes, brewed teas and smoothies with drink toppings, such as boba and homemade milk foam. 281-888-9670. www.hellabubble.com 3 Twisted Ice Co. opened April 10 at 21898 FM 1314, Ste. A, Porter. The business oers a menu of fresh fruit smoothies, shaved ice, espresso-based frozen beverages and ice cream treats. 281-747-7084. www.twistedice.com 4 Nitro Nutrition celebrated its grand opening April 1 at 21920 FM 1314, Porter. The business oers meal replacement shakes, loaded teas, boost drinks and protein waes. 281-354-1594. www.facebook.com/nitroshack1314 5 While construction is still underway on the Feeder Streat food truck park, patrons can visit its rst dining option—a crawsh and seafood stand of the same name—which opened April 7. Located at 20334 Hwy. 59, New Caney, the Feeder Streat food truck park is owned by Brad Arbaugh and Vernon Johnson. Upon completion—which is tentatively slated for Sept. 1—the food truck park will feature an arcade, a bar and multiple food truck options. 713-254-7872. www.feederstreat.com 6 Speech & Language Launchpad celebrated its grand opening April 29 at 23010 Gabriel Drive, New Caney. Staed by clinicians who are certied by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the speech pathology private practice is therapist owned and operated. According to its website, Speech &
Language Launchpad provides clinical service for people with communication intervention needs by oering comprehensive assessment and evidence- based treatment services, tools and resources. The clinic is owned by Clinical Director Latasha Bailey and Operations O£cer Chazz Bailey. 713-331-0998. www.speechlaunchpad.com COMING SOON 7 Dutch Bros Coee is set to open a second Lake Houston-area location by the end of 2023 at 17818 W. Lake Houston Parkway, Humble. The Oregon- based drive-thru coee company serves specialty coee, smoothies, freezes, teas, a private-label Dutch Bros Blue Rebel energy drink and nitrogen-infused cold brew coee. www.dutchbros.com 8 The Joint Chiropractic is set to open a second location in Humble, according to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations documents. While an estimated opening date is not yet available, a remodeling of the space The Joint Chiropractic will occupy is projected to be completed by July 24. Located at 9490 FM 1960 Bypass Road W., Ste. 400, The Joint Chiropractic will provide services aimed at reducing joint restrictions and misalignments to reduce in¥ammation and improve function of both the aected joint and the nervous system. 281-819-0789. www.thejoint.com 9 A new Lupe Tortilla location is scheduled to open this summer at 20061 Northpark Drive, Kingwood, restaurant o£cials conrmed June 7. Owned by the Holt family, the eatery will oer Tex-Mex staples, including fajitas, enchiladas, tacos and burritos, as well as seafood dishes, carne asadas, chicken and vegetarian options. The new restaurant will also feature a full bar and serve weekend brunch. 281-407-2820. www.tex-mex.com 10 Permits have been led to build a new Chuy’s location in Valley Ranch Town Center in New Caney, according to TDLR documents. To be located at 21225 Valley Ranch Parkway, Chuy’s is known for its Tex-Mex cuisine and boasts a menu of burritos, tacos, fajitas, enchiladas
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Hella Bubble
Lupe Tortilla
COURTESY HELLA BUBBLE
COURTESY LUPE TORTILLA
LOCAL HOT SPOT
The Food Zone Grand Texas
and margaritas. The new restaurant is expected to open in the rst quarter of 2024, o£cials with the East Montgomery County Improvement District said. www.chuys.com RELOCATIONS 11 On May 1, K&S Sportswear re- opened at its new, larger storefront located at 20121 W. Lake Houston Parkway, Ste. 1400, Humble. Previously located at 5735 FM 1960 E., Humble, the family-owned business rst opened in 1995 and oers full-service screen print- ing and embroidery. 281-852-2918. 12 J&R’s Ace Hardware celebrated its grand reopening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony May 27 following the expan- sion of its outdoor living and grilling department. Located at 23678 FM 1314, Porter, J&R’s Ace Hardware is owned by Je, Rob and Mary Helen Petersen. The locally owned hardware store also features an in-store gift shop. 832-401-5006. www.acehardware.com/ store-details/16772 NEW OWNERSHIP 13 HCA Houston Healthcare Inc. will purchase 41 FastMed and MedPost urgent care centers throughout Texas—including one at 3832 Atascocita Road, Ste. C, Humble—HCA Healthcare www.ks-sportswear.com RENOVATIONS
announced in a May 18 news release. HCA Healthcare has 45 hospitals, 395 physician practices and 92 existing urgent care centers in Texas. According to the release, the deal is expected to close this summer. 281-812-0578. www.fastmed.com CLOSINGS 14 Dallas-based brand Tuesday Morning —which has been in business for 49 years—is closing all of its stores after ling for bankruptcy back in February. The closures include approximately 200 stores, including one Lake Houston- area location at 1365 Kingwood Drive, 15 Parent company Bed Bath & Beyond will close 360 Bed Bath & Beyond stores and 120 Buybuy Baby stores after ling for bankruptcy in April. According to an April 23 news release, while the company has begun winding down operations, its stores and website remain in operation. Aected stores include a Bed Bath & Beyond at A 20514 Hwy. 59 N., Humble, and a Buybuy Baby at B 20416 Hwy. 59 N., Humble. According to the company’s website, gift cards, merchandise credits and rewards are no longer being accepted. Select xtures are now for sale, and all merchandise is on sale 20%-40% o the lowest ticketed prices. A 281-548-3720, www.bedbathandbeyond.com B 281-706-8909, www.buybuybaby.com Houston. 346-330-2058. www.tuesdaymorning.com
COURTESY ADIPTIVE
The Food Zone Grand Texas celebrated its grand opening May 5 in New Caney. Located at 23020 Speed St., the food park features multiple restaurants serving a variety of cuisine out of renovated shipping containers. 281-250-0431. bit.ly/3GymhjH NOW OPEN Adiptive opened May 5 at The Food Zone Grand Texas. The restaurant oers a menu of autas and dipping sauces. 346-639-9157. www.facebook.com/adiptive Blk Mkt Birria opened May 5 in The Food Zone Grand Texas. Blk Mkt Birria’s specialty is birria de res, or beef, and the menu is made up of items featuring the meat, such as quesadillas, french fries, tacos and tortas. https://blkmktbirria.square.site Jesse’s Burgers and Shakes opened May 5 at The Food Zone Grand Texas. Jesse’s Burgers and Shakes serves smash-style burgers, french fries and milkshakes. www.instagram.com/jessesburgershake La Heloteria opened May 5 in The Food Zone Grand Texas. The restaurant boasts a menu of elote, or corn, dishes served with toppings, including Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, smoked brisket and barbacoa. 346-243-5178. www.instagram.com/laheloteria
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Mariscos El Pirata opened May 5 in The Food Zone Grand Texas. The restaurant serves items, such as ceviche, seafood, empanadas, aguachiles, pozole and tostadas. 281-594-3641. www.instagram.com/mariscos_el_pirata23 Jerk Soul Texas opened May 5 at The Food Zone Grand Texas. The restaurant serves modern Caribbean cuisine, such as jerk chicken pizza, jerk wings and a jerk chicken Philly sandwich. 312-493-7764. www.instagram.com/jerksoultx Granny’s Tamales opened its fourth location May 19 at The Food Zone Grand Texas. Granny’s Tamales serves 13 types of tamales and has two additional locations in Humble and one in Spring. 832-808-7979. www.grannystamaleshouston.com
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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • JUNE 2023
TODO LIST
June & July events
JULY 04
VIEW A FIREWORKS DISPLAY THE HILL AT VALLEY RANCH
New Caney will host 4th Fest on the Hill to celebrate Independence Day. The event will have a hot dog eating contest, a car show, yard games and kids activities, and will end with a reworks show. Food trucks and other vendors will be present. 5-10 p.m. Free (admission). The Hill at Valley Ranch, 21562 Valley Ranch Parkway, New Caney. 713-452-1700. www.thehillvalleyranch.com (Courtesy The Hill at Valley Ranch)
COMPILED BY SHAHERYAR KHAN
JUNE 26 LISTEN TO BLUES MUSIC Blues and roots star Kenny Neal will come to Humble for his 2023 tour. The concert will be his third show of the summer tour, before Neal ies o to Cazorla, Spain. 7 p.m. $25. Charles Bender Performing Arts Center, 611 Higgins St., Humble. 281-446-4140. www.kennyneal.net JULY 04 WATCH A LASER SHOW Town Center Park Kingwood will celebrate Independence Day with its annual July 4th Family Games Festival. The event will have 48 craft vendors, 19 food vendors, a bounce house, games for kids, live music and a laser show to end the night. 3-9 p.m. Free (admission). Kingwood Town Center, 8 N. Main St., Kingwood. 346-600-2366. www.towncenterevents.com 05 THROUGH 07 ENJOY THE OUTDOORS Visit a nature center for family- friendly activities the week following Independence Day. Attendees will learn about reptiles, hike the terrain and paint around nature. All ages are welcome, and park sta suggests participants wear closed-toe shoes and bring reusable water bottles. 9-11 a.m. (Guided Redbud Hill Homestead Tour), 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (All About Reptiles), 10-11 a.m. (Art in the Park). Free. Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center, 20634 Kenswick Drive, Humble. 281-446-8588. www.pct3.com/jjp 11 LEARN TO MAKE PIZZA Ocials with Domino’s Pizza will teach kids all about making and selling pizza. Kids will practice kneading dough
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JULY 09
PAY TRIBUTE TO ELVIS CHARLES BENDER PAC
and get to enjoy fresh pizza. 3-4 p.m. Free. Atascocita Branch Library, 19520 Pinehurst Trail Drive, Humble. 832-927-5560. www.hcpl.net 14 THROUGH 15 SPEND A NIGHT AT THE OPERA Enjoy Opera Leggera’s musical performance of hits from the 1950s-1980s. Relive or discover the timeless classics of the 20th century in this engaging musical experience. 7 p.m. $25-$27. The Nathaniel Center, 804 Russell Palmer Road, Kingwood. 713-992-1696. www.operaleggera.com Elvis comes to life in a performance by multi-award-winning artist Travis Powell. Indulge in an unforgettable evening as Powell delivers the timeless hits of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. The concert will commence with the acclaimed all-female group Shake Rattle & Roll, known for their award- winning talent. 4 p.m. $40. Charles Bender Performing Arts Center, 611 Higgins St., Humble. 832-312-0074. www.humblepac.com (Courtesy Steve Fountain)
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Find more or submit Lake Houston-area events at communityimpact.com/event- calendar. Event organizers can submit local events online to be considered for the print edition. Submitting details for consideration does not guarantee publication.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
TRANSPORTATION UPDATES United Airlines unveils Terminal B redevelopment plan to enhance IAH
COMPILED BY SHAHERYAR KHAN & EMILY LINCKE
ONGOING PROJECTS
United Airlines announced plans to modernize and expand Terminal B at George Bush Intercontinental Airport during a May 31 meeting of Houston City Council’s Economic Development Committee. United Airlines o cials cited the company’s signi cant eet expansion—which entails replacing smaller aircraft with larger ones to improve e ciency—as one of the main factors driving the project. To accommodate larger aircraft, o cials said Terminal B will need modi cations, and Terminal B North will need to be rebuilt. According to the presentation, arriving travelers will be greeted by a new and visually appealing processor area located on the ground level. The roads and curbs will also be redesigned to optimize customer ow with clear and informative way nding signage. For departing travelers, the rede- signed departure core will provide convenient access to the ticketing hallway, which will be spacious and
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ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF JUNE 8. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT LHKNEWSCOMMUNITYIMPACT.COM. according to a June 7 email from Bambi Hall, a public information ocer with the Texas Department of Transportation. Timeline: July 2019-third quarter 2023 Cost: $17.6 million Funding sources: federal and state funding Loop 494 widening Construction is nearing completion on a project to widen a 7.6-mile section of Loop 494 into a four-lane divided roadway. The project begins 0.5 miles north of the intersection of Loop 494 and Kingwood Drive, and ends north of Sorters McClellan Road. The $17.6 million project is 99% complete and is expected to nish in the third quarter of this year,
This concept rendering shows what Terminal B’s curbside approach could look like after redevelopment. Design is subject to change. (Rendering courtesy United Airlines)
well lit, oering ample capacity for customer check-in and bag drop. The next phase of the project will include the addition of a new security checkpoint, leading passengers to the modern B North concourses, which will feature expansive hold rooms with plenty of natural sunlight. Additionally, o cials noted travelers will have access to a variety of amenities, including concessions,
Terminal B baggage claim area will also undergo a signi cant expansion, tripling its capacity. United Airlines o cials said the goal is to have one of the new concourses open by mid-2026. The project is in the design process, and soon, projects for employee parking, stormwater detention and utilities will commence. The construction of B North, B South and the processor area will be the primary focus starting in July.
retail and restroom facilities. Upon returning to IAH, the
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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • JUNE 2023
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ENVIRONMENT
Houston City Council vote nets $29M for Lake Houston-area dredging, sand traps
DREDGING 101 Roughly $29 million in state grant funds will provide for the mechanical and/or hydraulic dredging of sand and sediment from Lake Houston and its surrounding canals, as well as the proper disposal of the debris. The work will consist of:
BY HANNAH BROL
May 10 newsletter from Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin—who represents Houston City Council District E— more than 4 million cubic yards of silt and sediment has been dredged from Lake Houston and its tributaries since 2018 at a total cost of $222 million. These e orts were paid for through federal, state and local funding sources, including: • Federal Emergency Management Agency • Texas Water Development Board • Harris County • City of Houston What’s next?: According to Martin’s newsletter, the additional funding will allow dredging activities to start on the east side of Lake Houston and its various canals and channels. The funds will also go toward the imple- mentation of a pilot program testing the ecacy of sand traps upstream of Lake Houston.
An additional $29 million in state grant funds will be going toward ongoing dredging e orts in Lake Houston and its surrounding canals, following unanimous approval by the Houston City Council on May 10. Term to know: Dredging is the removal of sediments and debris from the bottom of lakes, rivers, harbors and other bodies of water. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, dredging is a routine necessity in waterways worldwide because sedimentation—the natural process of sand and silt washing downstream— gradually lls channels and harbors. The background: Following Hurri- cane Harvey in 2017, ood mitigation e orts ramped up in the Greater Houston area and particularly in the Lake Houston area. According to a
Loading and hauling from
The removal of tree stumps
Cutting and removing partially uprooted or split trees
The collection of debris laden sand
public waterways to disposal sites
SOURCE: STATE REP. CHARLES CUNNINGHAM, R HUMBLE COMMUNITY IMPACT
Per the newsletter, building sand traps is a proactive approach to capturing much of the silt and sediment coming down the various tributaries feeding into Lake Houston well before it ever reaches. The details: According to a May 10 news release from state Rep. Charles Cunningham, RHumble, the grant will provide for the mechanical and/ or hydraulic dredging of sand and sediment from public property, as well as the proper disposal of the debris. The work will consist of:
• Loading and hauling from public waterways to disposal sites • The removal of tree stumps • Cutting and removing partially uprooted or split trees • The collection of debris laden sand Quote of note: “Consecutive disasters have negatively impacted our Lake Houston communities, particularly in the last two decades,” Cunningham said. “This project will help divert ood water away from homes and strengthen the ability of residents to respond to future disasters.”
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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • JUNE 2023
SOMETHING New! INTO ive
FM 1960
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Exciting NEW things are happening in our Balmoral master-planned community in 2023–a new phase, new builders and new model homes to tour! Homebuyers say “yes” to a Balmoral address because of our location, many housing choices by leading builders, and world-class amenities — including the award-winning Amenity Village that is anchored by the state’s first Crystal Lagoons® amenity. With so much to offer, it’s easy to see why happy homebuyers are eagerly choosing Balmoral.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
DEVELOPMENT Businesses flock to east Montgomery County’s growing industrial park in New Caney
BY HANNAH BROL
will include a new 190,000-square- foot warehouse facility, additional packaging capabilities to be operational within two years and a new conversion facility to be operational within three years. McCrady noted GCP Paper USA Inc.’s packaging operations take place in Houston, while its existing conversion facility is in Mexico. The agreement with GCP Paper USA Inc., is just one of several notable businesses, McCrady said have recently joined the EMCID Industrial Park. In February, Titan Environmental—a company that supplies, installs and manufactures geosynthetics and engineering construction projects—opened in a 40,800-square-foot building within the park. On April 4, MultiSeal—which manufactures tire sealants for industrial, agriculture and o-road vehicles—opened in a 42,000-square- foot building. Shortly after, Elevation Land Solutions, a rm that provides land development resources, opened in mid-April as part of a 30,000-square-foot oce building. “The park provides jobs for nearly 2,000 people and has an ad valorem value in the county of about $300 million,” McCrady said. McCrady also noted retail is planned along Gene Campbell Boulevard. “Currently under construction are a Mexican food restaurant, a day care facility and a convenience store,” he said. Room to grow More than 20 years after the EMCID began work on its Industrial Park,
A BOOMING BUSINESS PARK Frank McCrady, president and CEO of the East Montgomery County Improvement District, listed the following businesses as notable recent additions to the EMCID Industrial Park.
In March, ocials with the East Montgomery County Improvement District announced an agreement with private-label tissue product producer GCP Paper USA Inc., which EMCID President and CEO Frank McCrady said will greatly bene t the New Caney community. “This project will create over 200 additional jobs for our local community, and it will be one of the highest ad valorem-value projects to ever come,” McCrady said. “This exciting project will result in an additional $200 million investment and an increase in revenues for Lone Star College, local schools, [Emergency Services District] No. 7, law enforcement and other entities, which rely on higher taxable values within their boundaries.”
3 MultiSeal (opened April 4) 4 Titan Environmental (opened in February)
1 Elevation Land Solutions (opened in mid-April) 2 GCP Paper USA Inc. (agreement announced in March; coming soon)
EMCID Industrial Park Drainage and detention
2
4
CEILA WAY
CALL I
CHRISTOPHER WAY
CAROLINE WAY
NICHOLS WAY
MEGAN WAY
3
1
GENE CAMPBELL BLVD.
W. INDUSTRIAL PKWY.
E. INDUSTRIAL PKWY.
N
THE PARK PROVIDES JOBS FOR NEARLY 2,000 PEOPLE AND HAS AN AD VALOREM VALUE IN THE COUNTY OF ABOUT
SOURCE: EAST MONTGOMERY COUNTY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTCOMMUNITY IMPACT
McCrady said the development is far from being completed. Development on the industrial park began when the Walmart Distribution Center opened in 2002, McCrady said. While the company originally said it needed 200 acres for the project, it ended up requiring only 135 acres. With the remaining 65 acres, work began on the park. “The industrial park is currently about 800 acres, but it will never be ‘completed,’” he said. “As we sell land to businesses to build on, we buy more as demand permits.” McCrady noted about half of the park’s tenants are energy-based
companies, while the other half are made up of food and beverage, transportation-related, distribution, furniture, and engineering services. While supply chain issues have aected development nationwide, McCrady said the ongoing challenge has also shed light on Texas’ pro- business climate. “Texas was lucky to remain open [during the pandemic], and companies noticed,” McCrady said. “Now, domestic and international companies are seeking out land or buildings to move their products and services here and to places like our industrial park.”
$300 MILLION. FRANK MCCRADY, EAST MONTGOMERY COUNTY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT PRESIDENT AND CEO
As part of the agreement, McCrady said GCP Paper USA Inc. purchased 32 acres within the EMCID Industrial Park for a $200 million expansion project. The three-phase expansion
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13
LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • JUNE 2023
HEALTH CARE EDITION 2023
COMMUNITY IMPACT IS PROUD TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
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HCA Houston Healthcare is the leading provider of healthcare in the Houston area. Our comprehensive network includes hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, freestanding emergency centers, and freestanding diagnostic imaging facilities in the greater Houston area. It also includes a regional transfer center that provides one- phone- call access and support for patient transfers into and out of HCA-aated facilities as well as access to ground and air transportation within a 150-mile radius. Proudly serving a large and diverse region, the HCA Houston Healthcare network, including The Woman’s Hospital of Texas and Texas Orthopedic Hospital, oers a range of programs to meet the needs of people of all ages with conditions ranging from acute to chronic illnesses. We are also nationally recognized in orthopedics, women's care, weight loss surgery, breast imaging and more. From your annual checkup to specialized care, we’re here for you.
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Kingwood Emergency Hospital delivers emergency health care the way it was meant to be. We are a licensed and accredited hospital that provides the full scope of emergency services and medical inpatient care. We excel at treating adult and pediatric emergencies that were previously handled at a traditional emergency room. While our services do not dier from a traditional ER, our level of service does. We provide each patient with the highest quality emergency care as quickly and eciently as possible. Our average wait times are less than 30 minutes. From broken bones to cardiac arrest, Kingwood Emergency Hospital is here for every emergency, every time—24/7, 365 days a year.
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Memorial Urgent Clinic is a privately owned, fully functioning facility set to celebrate our grand opening on June 30. Complete with an on-site lab as well as MRI, CT and x-ray, we will also oer on-site drug screening and testing for the u, strep and COVID. Local middle and high school student athletes will also be able to complete their physicals here before returning back to school. Boasting a friendly sta, little-to-no wait times, and the lowest prices in town, this is a clinic that cares about its patients. Come take advantage of this full-scope urgent clinic that cares for its community. Walk-ins are welcome.
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
HEALTH CARE SNAPSHOT
Local health care data and information
COMPILED BY DANICA LLOYD
WORKFORCE BY COUNTY
PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS, 2022
Profession count
Per 100,000 residents
County rank statewide
Although Harris County is the largest of Texas’ 254 counties, it ranks 31st in terms of primary care physicians available per 100,000 residents, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. However, it ranks No. 14 in psychiatrists working compared to the overall population.
31 23
4,607
89.2
609
93.4
155
28
32.1
HARRIS COUNTY MONTGOMERY
PSYCHIATRISTS, 2022
59
45
COUNTY LIBERTY COUNTY
Profession count
Per 100,000 residents
County rank statewide
290
99 TOLL
14 29 82
594
11.5
10
43
6.6
1
1.1
59
45
288
N
SOURCES: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES, HEALTH PROFESSIONS RESOURCE CENTER¡ COMMUNITY IMPACT
HOW HEALTHY IS YOUR COUNTY?
These rankings of all counties statewide are updated annually but include data from previous years. The factors listed are not comprehensive.
HEALTH OUTCOMES INCLUDE: HEALTH FACTORS INCLUDE: Length of life
2023 STATEWIDE HEALTH CARE RANKINGS OUT OF 244 RANKED COUNTIES
Quality of life • Poor mental and physical health days reported
HEALTH OUTCOMES
14 10 13
215 228 214 225 230 181 203 208
28 31 66
Length of life Overall Quality of life
Health behaviors
Socioeconomic factors
• Smoking and excessive drinking • Obesity • Physical activity • Alcohol-impaired driving deaths • Sexually transmitted infections • Teen births
• Educational attainment levels • Children in poverty • Income inequality • Violent crimes
HEALTH FACTORS
11 20
43 86
Health behaviors Overall
32 36 222
127 62 241
Socioeconomic Physical environment Clinical care
Clinical care
Physical environment factors
• Health insurance coverage • Number of physicians, dentists, mental health providers • Preventable hospital stays • Flu vaccinations
• Air pollution • Drinking water violations • Housing problems • Long commutes
SOURCES: ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN POPULATION HEALTH INSTITUTE, COUNTYHEALTHRANKINGS.ORG¡ COMMUNITY IMPACT
EMPLOYMENT TRENDS The Houston metro’s health care sector has continued to grow since the COVID-19 pandemic. Employment in this industry exceeded 300,000 in Harris County last fall.
HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE INDUSTRY EMPLOYMENT
HOUSTON METRO MAY 2022 OCCUPATION ESTIMATES
Sept. 2020 Sept. 2021
Sept. 2022
Annual mean wage
Employment
$38,050 $284,520 $384,720 $133,260 $88,880 $400,020 $179,490 $108,580
380
Anesthesiologists
2-year change +6.72% 2-year change +12.35%
281,535
2,570 6,230
Emergency medical technicians
291,440 300,449
Pharmacists
170 110
Obstetricians and gynecologists
23,440 24,065 26,336
Cardiologists
SOURCE: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS¡ COMMUNITY IMPACT
58,620
Registered nurses Physical therapists
1,927
2-year change -1.4%
3,320
1,064
270
Psychiatrists
1,900
15
LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • JUNE 2023
COUNTY Harris Health pitches $2.5B bond for new hospital, service boosts in underserved areas
DEVELOPMENT Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital to add 30 inpatient beds, renovate lab space
BY SHAWN ARRAJJ
INVESTING IN HARRIS COUNTY’S HEALTH A total of $2.9 billion worth of projects have been proposed for the Harris Health System, $2.5 billion of which may be covered by an upcoming bond. HHS ocials noted the $400 million not covered by the bond would be raised either through internal operational savings, cost savings or philanthropy. Proposed projects include:
expand, making the new LBJ Hospital critical as demand for health care services continues to rise. The system has been “chronically underfunded,” Porsa said, and the hospitals are nearing their end of useful life if improvements aren’t made. The details: If passed, work on the new LBJ Hospital would begin rst, located adjacent to the existing one. It would open in 2028. After that, work would begin on refurbishing the existing LBJ Hospital to provide other services, such as inpatient psychiatric care. During this timeframe, HHS would also invest $500 million in community clinics, including opening clinics in east, northwest and southwest Harris County. Quote of note: “Harris County is home to the largest number and highest rate of uninsured in the country. The need for our services is only going to grow,” Porsa said. “Do we address that in a timely, thoughtful fashion, or do we
O cials with the Harris Health System pitched a $2.5 billion bond proposal to Harris County commissioners at a June 6 meeting. The background: HHS owns and operates Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital and Ben Taub Hospital; it also operates 17 community-based clinics, a dental center, a chronic dialysis center and three outpatient specialty clinics countywide. The big picture: HHS President and CEO Dr. Esmaeil Porsa said under the proposed bond, a new 390-bed LBJ Hospital would open with the capacity to expand to 450 beds as needed. Porsa said plans also include earning a Level I trauma center designation for the new LBJ Hospital, which would bolster heart and stroke capabilities, and feature a helipad. The need: Porsa said HHS’s existing hospitals don’t have any capacity to
BY HANNAH BROL
number of inpatients that we had admitted to the hospital on a daily basis was much lower than it is right now,” Roux said. “After the pandemic, we just stayed high; we never went down, and it’s not because we have a lot of COVID[-19] patients because we have very few, if any, of those on a day-to-day basis. It’s more that while we were in the middle of the pandemic, the community grew up around us.” Set to be completed by February, the $18.5 million project will result in the addition of 30 private inpatient rooms, bringing the hospital’s total bed count to 257. “[This expansion] means that patients won’t have to wait so long for beds [because] we’ll have some readily available, and there will be less time between admission ... and the time that you actually get to a bed,” Roux said. The 25,000-square-foot space will
In the coming months, Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital o cials will embark on two projects that will result in 30 new inpatient beds and a fully renovated, state-of-the-art lab. In July, Nikki Roux, vice president of operations for Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital, said renovations will begin on 25,000 square feet of unused space located in the hospital’s West Tower, which opened in 2018. At the time, Roux said hospital o cials were already anticipating future growth. “This is a very high-growth area,” Roux said. “So when we built [the West Tower], we took that in mind, just making sure we had space to expand into.” Roux also cited the area’s growing senior population—which typically means more hospital admissions—as another reason for the expansion. “Before the pandemic ... the
1960
59
$1.6 billion toward the creation of the new LBJ Hospital $500 million toward improvements at existing community clinics and the opening of three new community clinics in underserved parts of the county $400 million toward improvements at the existing LBJ Hospital $400 million toward improvements at Ben Taub Hospital
MEMORIAL BLVD.
N
Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital is set to add 30 private inpatient rooms by February. (Courtesy Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital)
also feature a therapy gym where patients can go to complete physical and occupational therapy. Roux noted the gym will be a rst for the Humble campus. “[The therapy gym] will give us an opportunity to bring patients ... to a location where they can take advantage of therapy adjunct devices that we would normally have to bring to their room, so this allows us more exibility,” Roux said. Further enhancing the campus, Roux said the hospital received approval in May for a full lab
renovation. While an exact timeline had not been identied for the $3.8 million project as of press time, Roux said construction is expected to take anywhere from six to 12 months. “Our lab is still in the same footprint as it was when the original hospital was built in 1977, and so, as we’ve gotten busier and added beds and buildings, we’ve kept the same [lab] footprint, and we’ve just added more equipment,” Roux said. “So we’re going to expand it by 40%, and it’ll be all state-of-the-art and [have] lots more usable space.”
SOURCE: HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEMCOMMUNITY IMPACT
wait for the bottom to fall out?”
Over that time, the owner of a $300,000 house in Harris County would see their property taxes increase by less than $6 per month. Next steps: HHS o cials said if the commissioners court approves the bond to be placed on the ballot in August, Harris County voters will get a chance to either support or reject the referendum in November.
The takeaway: The total cost of the projects is estimated at $2.9 billion. The $400 million not covered by the bond would be raised either through internal operational savings, cost savings or philanthropy, Porsa said. If approved, the tax rate for the HHS would increase by an estimated 2 cents over the course of the bond.
PORTER 23611 Hwy 59 (281) 354-0733 HUMBLE 19322 US-59 (281) 540-7202
KINGWOOD 1420 Kingwood Dr (281) 359-7115 ATASCOCITA 7034 FM 1960 E (281) 812-3100
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HCA Houston Healthcare delivers expert, compassionate care to help you stay strong, healthy, and there for everyone you love. From your annual checkup to specialized care, we’re here for you. Because taking care of your own health means you can be there for others.
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18
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
HOSPITALS
News and information on local hospitals in the Lake Houston area
2023 HEALTH CARE EDITION
3 SE Texas ER & Hospital Trauma level: N/A NICU level: N/A Number of beds: 44 Number of physicians: 17 Number of nurses: 20
COMPILED BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF
MOST ADVANCED TRAUMA VS. NICU LEVELS
5
HUMBLE 1 Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital Trauma level: N/A NICU level: II Number of beds: 227 Number of physicians: 842 Number of nurses: 682
Highest level of care, more specialist physicians available, can treat more serious conditions
One unique program or procedure: The hospital’s Medical Detox Program is tailored for each patient using a variety of therapies. This helps patients detox from drugs and alcohol and starts the healing from addiction. Call 8338627236 to learn more. 19211 McKay Drive, Humble 281 883 5500 • www.setexaser.com 4 Townsend Memorial Hospital Trauma level: Data not provided NICU level: Data not provided Number of beds: Data not provided Number of physicians: Data not provided Number of nurses: Data not provided One unique program or procedure: Information not provided 1475 FM 1960 Bypass Road E., Humble 281 369 9001 www.townsenmemorial.com KINGWOOD 5 HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood Trauma level: II NICU level: III Number of beds: 457 Number of physicians: Data not provided Number of nurses: Data not provided
HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood
Trauma level
NICU level
HANNAH BROLCOMMUNITY IMPACT
One unique program or procedure: The hospital features an on-site community courtyard where employee volunteers cultivate produce for donation to the Community Resource Center’s food pantry. 18951 N. Memorial Drive, Humble 281 540 7700 www.memorialhermann.org/locations/ northeast 2 PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Humble Trauma level: N/A NICU level: N/A Number of beds: 46 Number of physicians: 75 Number of nurses: 70 One unique program or procedure: The hospital oers acute inpatient rehabilitation with a strong neuro focus and state-of-the-art robotics. 18839 McKay Drive, Humble 281 964 6600 • www.pamhealth.com
LEVEL I
LEVEL IV
One unique program or procedure: The hospital is accredited by DNVHealthcare as the only Comprehensive Stroke Center in Northeast Houston. 22999 Hwy. 59 N., Kingwood 281 348 8000 www.hcahoustonhealthcare.com/locations/ kingwood 6 Kingwood Emergency Hospital Trauma level: N/A NICU level: N/A Number of beds: 19 Number of physicians: 23 Number of nurses: 30 One unique program or procedure: The hospital excels at treating adult and pediatric emergencies that were previously handled at a traditional ER. While the hospital’s services do not dier from larger facilities, its elite level of service does. 23330 Hwy. 59 N., Kingwood 832 777 6165 www.kingwood247er.com
LEVEL II
LEVEL III
LEVEL III
LEVEL II
LEVEL IV
LEVEL I
LEAST ADVANCED
Lowest level of care, more likely to have to transfer to higher level for serious conditions
SOURCES: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES, TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE COMMUNITY IMPACT
512-232-5000 EdServices@austin.utexas.edu highschool.utexas.edu
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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • JUNE 2023
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