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7 Reasons Businesses Should Move to Texas!

October 2, 2015 by ORNEDC

It’s a bit cliché but true — Texas is business-friendly. But there’s more: Jobs, parks, arts, education and affordable real estate make us family-friendly too. And for businesses, the rewards run deep.

We want you here

And we’ll show you, not tell you. We have no personal income tax, a nominal corporate tax, reasonable regulations, and just this year invested billions of dollars in new infrastructure. The state not only has a balanced budget but a $10 billion “rainy day” surplus.

We make moving easy

We will compete for your business. Moving expenses can be deducted from your corporate return. The economic development infrastructure is second-to-none and here to support you before and after your move. The governor’s office and local chambers of commerce and economic development corporations work hand-in-hand to get the data you need to evaluate and then execute your move.

We are easy to get to

Both people and goods can travel to and from Texas with ease. By air, we have 26 commercial airports totaling over 200,000 flights daily. By ship, there are 624 miles of coastline with more than 20 ports — including Houston, the nation’s largest. By land, we have over 310,000 miles of public roads and plans to invest in more. By rail too, Texas has thousands of miles of railroads carrying over 400 million tons of freight annually.

A skilled workforce

I’ve had CEOs tell me our workforce made their re-location decision easy. Of course, our large and growing population gives you choices. But the state has also made a commitment to create more tier-one universities and focus on taking research to market. Skills training is also part of the re-location package. Texas invests in people.

Booming markets

During the past year, Texas added jobs in all 11 major industries. The state remains the top energy producer in the country, but the state’s economy has diversified greatly over the past two decades. We just passed California as the nation’s top exporter; Houston is a world leader in the medical community; San Antonio has become a life science and medical device leader; Dallas is headquarters to some of the largest companies in the world across myriad sectors, and Austin — AKA Silicon Hills — has become a recognized technology powerhouse.

Affordable real estate

Texas has more land mass than every state but Alaska; we’re big with lots of affordable land. From big-city living to desert ranches, you and your company will have plenty of real estate options. Affordable housing, low cost of living and no personal income tax are a few of the reasons corporate executives are not afraid to move their employees to the Lone Star State.

The people

Have you heard of “Texas-friendly?” We will smile and wave and say hello — in College Station it’s a close cousin, “howdy.” This habit can also cause confusion. Even the state’s name derived from a Native American word meaning friendship.

A friend from San Francisco said he was perplexed the first few months because people kept waving at him and he figured he was doing something wrong. Nah, it’s just Texans being Texans.

If you’re coming from the coasts, come to Texas and double your money. My bet is you’ll stay for dessert.

Craig Casselberry is the founder of Quorum Public Affairs in Austin.

Reprinted from Austin Business Journal: http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/print-edition/2015/07/31/7-reasons-businesses-should-move-to-texas.html

Growth Continues at Port of Houston

August 17, 2015 by ORNEDC

The Port of Houston is a short 35 miles from Oak Ridge North and an important economic driver for our region. So good news at the port means good economic news for ORN!

For the first half of 2015, The Port of Houston Authority handled nearly 20 million tons of cargo, a growth of five percent over last year, Executive Director Roger Guenther reported to the Port Commission at its July meeting.  The Port Authority’s container terminals showed a 20 percent growth in loaded units compared to the same period in 2014.  Import steel through June grew by 24 percent over 2014 levels, although growth of import steel is settling back to forecast levels.  “Business has reached its highest levels across several key business lines during recent years,” Guenther reported. “And, we must continue to strategically plan for future opportunities.”

For more on the Port of Houston: http://www.portofhouston.com/

Home & Vehicle Sales Up in Region

August 17, 2015 by ORNEDC

Houston realtors set a record in July, selling 9,653 single-family homes, townhomes, condos, duplexes, county homes, high rise units and lofts, according to the Houston Association of REALTORS®. More info at Greater Houston Partnership-Homes.
Houston-area auto dealers sold 35,748 vehicles in July ’15, up 17.1 percent from the 30,527 sold in July ’14. Sales in July ’15 rank as the eighth highest monthly volume on record. Year-to-date sales volumes, down as much as 10.6 percent in March, have nearly recovered from doldrums of the first quarter. More info at Greater Houston Partnership-Vehicles.

Houston Area Economy Trends Upward

August 17, 2015 by ORNEDC

The Houston Purchasing Managers Index (PMI), a short-term leading indicator for regional production, registered 49.1 in July, up from 46.7 in June according to the latest report from the Institute for Supply Management-Houston (ISM-Houston).
The PMI has a possible range from zero to 100. Readings above the neutral point of 50 indicate likely growth in production over the next three to four months; readings below 50 suggest contraction. The PMI fell as low as 42.7 in April but has trended upward ever since, which suggests a slowly improving Houston economy.
Follow this link for more details from The Greater Houston Partnership.

100,000 sf Hotel Conference Center Announced for ORN

August 7, 2015 by ORNEDC

Community Impact News covers the announcement of a 100,000 Crowne Plaza Hotel and Oak Ridge North Conference Center to be developed at Interstate 45 and Robinson Road. Read more HERE.

Great News for Texas Businesses from the State Legislature

August 3, 2015 by ORNEDC

House Bill 32 (84(R) HB32) known as the Franchise Tax Reduction Act of 2015 was signed by Governor Abbot on June 16, 2015.  Essentially, HB32 decreases the franchise tax rate from 1 percent to 0.75 percent. The bill also decreases the franchise tax on retailers or wholesalers from 0.5 percent to 0.375 percent. A taxable entity with no more than $20 million in total revenue, up from $10 million in current law, can choose to pay the franchise tax under E-Z computation and rate provisions. The bill will decrease the tax rate under this computation from 0.575 percent to 0.331 percent. The bill takes effect January 1, 2016, and will apply only to a franchise tax report originally due on or after that date.

Doing business in Texas just gets better and better! Thank you to our friends as Karlins Ramey & Tompkins LLC for this synopsis of the bill.

Little Beakers Grand Opening in Hanna Business Park, Section II

July 29, 2015 by ORNEDC

PRESS RELEASE little beakers

July 2015

 Oak Ridge North, Texas – Hanna Business Park Section II, LP is thrilled to announce that Little Beakers Science Lab for Kids is hosting their Grand Opening on August 8, 2015 at Hanna Business Park Section II, 26803 Hanna Road, City of Oak Ridge North, Texas 77385. Little Beakers is a real science lab built just for kids, offering science learning and family fun for kids of all ages! Little Beakers will offer Open Lab, birthday parties, group events, parents’ nights out, camps and classes for your young, budding scientists.

John Tatum, Managing Partner of Hanna Business Park Section II, LP stated. “We are very excited to have Little Beakers join our list of family-friendly businesses in Hanna Business Park. Little Beakers is building out an amazing 4,500 sq. ft. lab in Building 5. Along with Texas Arts Dance Academy (TADA), Crossfit of Aces for Kids, and Allegiance Volleyball, Little Beakers is just the latest business to move into the park catering to children and offering fun and exciting activities.”

The Little Beakers facility at Hanna Business Park will be the second location to be opened by founders and owners, Cinttya and Trevor Morgan.  The very first facility, which opened in Cypress, Texas in the summer of 2012, has quickly grown from being a completely unknown and totally original concept with its self-guided “Open Lab” service, to a bustling enterprise consistently pulled up in internet searches as the must-see attraction in North-West Houston.  Co-owner Trevor Morgan adds, “When we first saw Hanna Business Park, we knew it would be a good fit for us and that there would be a great synergy between us and the other family-oriented businesses here.  We know that families in this area from The Woodlands all the way to Conroe and other surrounding areas are going to love this kid-friendly hands-on science lab we have created.”  Other major areas in and around Houston, and indeed the rest of the country, will soon see a Little Beakers coming to them as franchise opportunities will be on offer by year’s end.

About Hanna Business Park

Started in 2006 by the Hanna Investment Group, a limited partnership of professionals and executives, the original complex includes 4 multi-tenant and 2 single-tenant buildings. The additional 5.6 acres is contiguous to this development.

Hanna Business Park has been developed to meet the growing business demands of The Woodlands/South Montgomery County. It is located conveniently near the Hardy Toll Road and Interstate 45 within 2 miles of the The Woodlands Mall and the Exxon complex which is to be completed in 2015.

Section I retail space is occupied by a restaurant, barber shop and health studio. The spaces behind the retail section are occupied by typical warehouse operations as well as children’s sports, adult exercise and Olympic volleyball. Mixed in are residential design and oil and gas related businesses. Convenient access for 18 wheelers is also provided. Architectural features and attractive landscaping throughout the complex will be similar in Section I and Section II. For more information, visit www.hannabusinesspark.com.

About Little Beakers

Little Beakers is the brainchild of Cinttya Morgan, at a young age already a veteran of the materials chemistry and polymer engineering research fields with several truly innovative patents to her name.

Cinttya knew that she wanted to be a scientist early on. A chemistry set from her Mom at age 9 ensured this would happen. She eventually pursued a degree in El Paso, Texas where she was part of a small team that put on science shows for kids. She loved it.

Later, she moved to Houston to begin her post-graduate studies and she is now finally fulfilling a dream by using her expertise in science and combining it with what she loves most…teaching children.

That playful mindset, a thorough knowledge of chemistry, real-world experience and a love for educating children, makes Cinttya the perfect teacher…and she does it in her own unique way through Little Beakers.

John Tatum, Manager, Hanna Business Park

281-367-5549, [email protected]

www.hannabusinesspark.com

Trevor Morgan, Owner

Little Beakers

(281) 401-9501, [email protected]

www.littlebeakers.com

 

25,000 sf Office Warehouse New Construction Available!

June 19, 2015 by ORNEDC

27341-Spectrum-Way

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information, click HERE.

Oak Ridge North rated in the Top 10 Suburbs of Houston

May 7, 2015 by ORNEDC

Oak Ridge North is getting the recognition that residents have understood for years! Oak Ridge North is a GREAT place to live, work, and play. We really are “What a hometown should be!” But don’t just take it from us, check out what movato.com has to say: CLICK HERE.

Lone Star Executive Airport Runway Extension

March 24, 2015 by ORNEDC

LSEACongratulations Lone Star Executive Airport (LSEA) on the completion of a 7,500 foot runway extension.  Ribbon cutting took place on Monday, March 23, 2015.  Just 17 miles from the heart of Oak Ridge North, this corporate airport facility is a short 20 minute drive away and capable of handling most corporate jets at full load.

For more information on the LSEA Runway Extension read HERE for the Community Impact News story.

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Oak Ridge North EDC

Director: Sarah McClure, Director of Economic Development
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (832) 381-3306

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