Progress To Date
Focus Area 1.0: Business Development
1. Business Development
1.1 Engage in a targeted approach to business and attraction marketing
PEDC continually markets to contacts in our target industries, both through implementation of our marketing campaigns and other marketing activities. Recent announcements include Syzygy Plasmonics’ section of Pearland for its headquarters, R&D and manufacturing, Millar’s selection of Pearland for its new headquarters and manufacturing facility, HCA Healthcare Houston’s new Center for Clinical Advancement training facility in Pearland Town Center and Interim Healthcare’s relocation of its regional headquarters facility to the Trinity Professional Building. In addition, Endress+Hauser has moved into its 112,000 square-foot Gulf Coast Regional Campus in Pearland’s Lower Kirby District.
The 2020, 2021 and 2022 PEDC marketing campaign implementation plans utilized a mix of paid and earned media to bring a focus to Pearland as a unique community that offers a talented workforce, an outstanding quality of life and where both small businesses and growing industry leaders can find success. In August 2022, the PEDC Board approved the 2023 marketing plan that will continue our campaign to communicate that Pearland is an educated, diverse, safe, pro-business community that offers an outstanding quality of life for its residents.
1.2 Help existing businesses grow and thrive through a collaborative, action-oriented approach to business retention and expansion (BRE)
PEDC and the Chamber’s BizConnect program utilized virtual and onsite meetings, including industry luncheons, throughout 2021 and 2022 to meet with primary employers. A new BizConnect contract was approved by the PEDC Board and Chamber in August 2022.
Recent expansion projects include Lonza’s addition of 10,000 square feet of laboratory space, and the construction of additional clean rooms. Dover Energy constructed a 12,000 square foot Innovation Laboratory. In addition, Cobb Fendley expanded its Pearland offices, moving into an 11,000 square-foot office space at 1920 County Place. In addition, Code Ninjas has completed a new 8,500 square-foot office and will occupy the new building this spring.
PEDC partnered with Polco, the company that conducts the bi-annual resident survey for the City, to conduct a survey of all businesses in Pearland in 2021. 3,300 businesses were contacted and asked to participate in the survey. Survey results show that Pearland is a great place to live, work and operate a business.
1.3 Support a vibrant retail sector in Pearland
A retail analysis was completed in May 2022 that focused on four sub areas, including Lower Kirby, SH 288/Broadway, Pearland Parkway/Broadway and Old Town. The analysis looked at the various trends that are impacting retail in Pearland with potential recommendations for the various sub areas.
1.4 Proactively communicate the economic development value proposition to the Pearland community
Marketing efforts to showcase the Pearland community utilizing the “Prepare to Love It” branding are currently underway, utilizing various marketing campaigns targeted at both internal stakeholders and throughout the Houston region. In addition, PEDC continually highlights community economic development successes through press releases, social media and digital advertising, website updates and a quarterly newsletter.
To commemorate PEDC’s 25th Anniversary, a collateral piece showcasing various employer attraction and retention, infrastructure, corridor redevelopment, and quality of life projects was developed in 2020. PEDC promoted the piece and highlighted economic development successes over the past 25 years with a press release, newsletter story, social media and digital display advertising and a dedicated web page on the PEDC website.