Business & Economic Development
The purposes of the Southwest Management District are to enhance the physical, social and economic well being of the community. In February 2007, the board adopted a four-point Service and Action Plan to address mobility and transportation planning, environmental and urban design, public safety, and business and economic development. The mission of the District is to attract public and private capital investment, provide professional management of the area’s needs, and promote the District as a premier place to invest, work and live.
If you are a commercial developer or broker, the Southwest Management District can assist you in the following ways:
- Answering requests for maps and summary population and demographic data obtained from the U.S. Census or ESRI.
- Market demand and economic feasibility studies for proposed new retail, office or industrial projects utilizing quantitative and/or qualitative primary research methods as appropriate, as well as available secondary data. 70% of the costs of such studies may be rebated if the projects proceed.
- Assistance in obtaining Texas Workforce Solutions’ subsidies and tax credits in conjunction with the Texas Back to Work, Work Opportunity Tax Credit and HIRE Act Tax Benefit programs.
- Information and contacts related to HCC education and training programs that benefit District employers and their employees.
- Basic information about the Federal EB-5 Program administered by the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services agency which enables foreign business investors meeting certain minimum requirements to obtain permanent residence visas over time.
- Assistance in obtaining State of Texas incentives including sales tax refunds, state and use tax exemptions, job training grants, and on-the-job training assistance related to particular projects and workforce requirements.
- Assistance in obtaining City of Houston and Harris County property tax abatements on industrial building investments of $1 million or more, based on the creation of 25 or more jobs by Year 3 of any project.
- Assistance in negotiating Chapter 380/381 agreements with the City of Houston to fund infrastructure for high priority commercial or residential projects.
Workforce Report Card
A Measure of Progress comparing the Gulf Coast’s economy and labor market against those of similar metropolitan regions in the United States.
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New Development in Houston Airports
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Highest Ranked Industries Report
for the Southwest Management District
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District Profile and Demographics
The Southwest District Business Summary, Community Profile, and Traffic Counts will give our viewers a good sense of the community. We can also provide specialized reports to area businesses looking to expand for investors/developers looking to locate in the District. Please contact Executive Director, Josh Hawes to learn more and discuss reports we may be able to provide. [email protected]
SBA Resources
The Southwest Management District, in conjunction with other area districts, hosted a SBA Workshop in 2018 at the HBU campus at McNair Hall, 7502 Fondren. The U.S. Small Business Administration makes “the American dream of business ownership a reality by empowering entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand, and recover.”
The SBA helps these small businesses in 4 main areas:
- Providing free business advising and mentoring, plus low cost workshops through SBA resource partners SCORE, Small Business Development Centers, and the Women’s Business Center.
- Helping small businesses gain access to federal contracts in a variety of ways, including the 8(a) Business Development Program.
- Helping small businesses find the capital that is needed to start or grow.
- Assisting business as well as homeowners, renters, and non-profits to recover after a declared natural disaster through direct low interest loans.
Review the presentation from the event to learn more.
