BY WESLEY GARDNER
Also of note
The impact
What’s next
In October, Roman Forest City Council mem- bers approved a comprehensive plan that will allow o cials to implement zoning regulations. “Development is inevitable, but we would like to control and focus the look and feel of the city to maintain its heritage and character over time,” Roman Forest Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell Davis said. While Davis said the response to the growth has been mixed, he noted it has brought younger residents to the area, which he said is great for the long-term maintenance of the city. New Caney-Porter population change The area’s population grew by nearly 30% between 2018 and 2023, U.S. Census Bureau data shows.
Kelley Mattlage, chief operating o cer for the East Montgomery County Improvement District, said the growth has given EMCID more leverage to recruit businesses into the area. “Higher tra c counts mean we can nally have substantial conversations with higher-end [businesses],” Mattlage said.
Projected new housing units by 2034
Single-family
11,554
Multifamily
5,262
Manufactured housing
392
Age-restricted
160
Major EMCID developments
Single-family built-to-rent
EMCID o ers nancial incentives to businesses and developers to recruit them to the area. Valley Ranch Town Center: a 240-acre mixed- use development in New Caney, featuring more than 1.5 million square feet of retail, dining, and entertainment space EMC Industrial Park: a roughly 900-acre industrial park that has attracted dozens of businesses, including Lowe’s, MultiSeal and YMER Technology GCP Paper: a 565,765-square-foot manufacturing facility projected to bring 250 jobs EMC Convention Center: a 210,000-square-foot space aimed at hosting trade shows, youth sporting events, expos and galas SOURCE: EAST MONTGOMERY COUNTY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT COMMUNITY IMPACT
130
While Shaw said there are still many underdeveloped areas throughout East Montgomery County, she said future development should be carefully planned. “Balanced and responsible growth is key,” Shaw said. “When development is paired with infrastructure improvements ... and long-term vision, it can create opportunity while still preserving the [area’s] values.”
60K 70K 90K 80K
77,795
66,794
84,010
70,292
64,176
SOURCES: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU 2018 AND 2023 AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY 5 YEAR ESTIMATES COMMUNITY IMPACT 2020 0
2021 2022 2023 2024
SOURCE: POPULATION AND SURVEY ANALYSTS COMMUNITY IMPACT
19
NEW CANEY PORTER EDITION
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