Blog entries - October 2009

Pearland Economic Development Corporation Awarded $10,000 “Think Green” Grant

Greg Rivera — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Pearland is one of 15 cities in the United States, and the only city in Texas, that received a $10,000 “Think Green” grant from Keep America Beautiful (KAB) to support the ‘Old Townsite Beautification Project.’ The “Think Green” grant was sponsored by Waste Management (WM), and encouraged communities to work together to find local solutions for improvement in areas such as stewardship, community outreach and educational programs.

The Pearland Economic Development Corporation (PEDC) decided to answer the challenge that went out to more than 580 local affiliates, calling them to present ambitious projects they were undertaking to improve their communities. The PEDC submitted a proposal through Keep Pearland Beautiful that detailed their plans to improve Pearland’s historical district, Old Townsite. In the proposal they detailed how the grant would be used to build a signature entryway into Old Townsite, and construct a monument sign adorned with establishment date plaques, special lighting, irrigation ducts and beautiful landscaping.

Efforts aren’t just for the PEDC or organizations, as Fred Welch, executive director of the PEDC points out, “As we implement the Old Townsite beautification project we encourage everyone in the city to expand the efforts of Keep Pearland Beautiful by investing in their own ‘green’ projects. We would love to see all of our community members participate in our ‘Yard of the Month’ contest, the Arbor Day tree give away, or the Annual Environmental Fair, just to name a few.”

For more information on the project, or how to get involved in other opportunities, please contact the PEDC Old Townsite project manager, Kyler Cole, at kscole@ci.pearland.tx.us or by phone at 281-652-1818.

Source: www.hcnonline.com/pearland_journal

Cardiovascular Systems Inc. Brings Jobs to Pearland Area

Cheryl Boe — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0100

New businesses are continuing to make their way to the Pearland area, home to Lakes of Savannah. The Pearland Journal reports that through financial incentives offered by the Pearland Economic Development Corporation and the State of Texas, Cardiovascular Systems Inc, a publicly traded medical device company based in St. Paul, Minn. has a new 10 year lease for large manufacturing facility to be located in Pearland.

The Journal also cited city leaders’ hopes that the new plant will create more than 100 jobs in the near future and possibly as many as 500 jobs over the next five years.

Texas’ business climate has been key in attracting new business to the state and the Houston area and Texas Governor Rick Perry was quote in the Journal article as stating that the CSI expansion is further proof that Texas remains the best state in the nation for business.

According to the Journal, the governor assisted Pearland in the process by offering , Inc. $600,000 from the Texas Enterprise Fund in business incentives for the 46,000 sq. ft. facility and the Pearland Economic Development Corporation owned the facility land and has already made a significant financial investment in the construction of the plant’s outer shell. The manufacturing plant is located south of Beltway 8 and west of Highway 288. The PEDC has also agreed to offer additional financial incentives to Cardiovascular Systems Inc. in the future based on the successful creation of new jobs and other collaborative business goals.

The Pearland facility represents the second operations plant for the company. The first is located in St. Paul, where it currently employs 100 workers. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.csi360.com.

Keep Pearland Beautiful Celebrates its Sixth Annual Fall Fundraiser

Greg Rivera — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Keep Pearland Beautiful, a non-profit organization founded in August of 1982 and certified as an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, seeks to enable Pearland citizens, through education and opportunities, to take responsibility for enhancing their community environment.

This year the organization celebrated their sixth annual fundraiser in the company of more than 160 guests at their ‘Plant Thyme Fall Luncheon’ held at the Pearland Community Center on October 9.

The catered luncheon served as a fundraiser through a plant and herb sale, a silent auction featuring 75 different baskets and gift items, and a raffle for a new patio furniture set. The Event raised approximately $14,000, according to Fund Development Committee Chairman JoAnne Knodel. Half of the money raised will fund ongoing Keep Pearland Beautiful projects and the remaining portion will be held to fund the construction of the Delores Fenwick Nature Center which will go up at 5800 Magnolia Road in the future.

“Considering the current economy, we were blessed,” said Linda Cowles, Executive Director of KPB. They were able to raise slightly more money than last year. “We were really fortunate to have help from local business sponsors, members of the community and board members who worked as volunteers and support from the people who bought tickets and attended.”

For more information on how you can help Keep Pearland Beautiful, please visit keeppearlandbeautiful.com

Source: www.hcnonline.com/pearland_journal

Alvin ISD Bond Election

Cheryl Boe — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Residents in Lakes of Savannah will have the opportunity to vote on bond elections benefiting Alvin I.S.D. on November 3, 2009. Early voting is open from October 19 through October 30, 2009.

The bonds, if passed, will help to purchase new school locations, build new campuses and update older schools.

General facts and information are provided below to help voters make an educated decision regarding this election.

click here to download Facts and Figures information

click here to download information on What's Included in the bond

click here to download information on regular and early voting

Pearland’s Growth Expected to Bring in a New Hospital and Businesses in the Coming Years

Greg Rivera — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Mayor Tom Reid of Pearland, TX describes his town as “A city of orange cones.” It is constantly growing and being upgraded. This is a positive move for the city as Pearland’s population is expected to expand by 175,000-200,000 residents in the next 25 years. With this rate it is important for the city to meet the growing needs of its residents. Some hopeful projects planned over the next few years are a hospital, and complexes to hold retail and office buildings. These additions could accelerate the growth curve by bringing in jobs and business.

Local developer and CEO of Signature Companies of Houston, Mike Pollak, has developed Pearland business properties for more than 20 years. Pollak buys land to develop, and uses it to bring in business and help the community. He only builds when there is a demand, ensuring that his properties are filled with businesses and do not sit vacant.

Pollak’s current plans for Pearland include two medical/professional office complexes on a pair of 10-acre parcels on Fite as well as a senior living facility on a third property. He has also been awarded zoning for his biggest project, a $100 million hospital complex on 45-acres at the corner of Magnolia and FM1128.

The Magnolia Road project will connect the city from SH 288 on the west to Pearland Parkway and on the east via a four-lane roadway. Phase I was completed last summer, Phase 2 is estimated to be completed in June of 2010, and the final segment from Cullen was approved last week. If all goes according to schedule, the third segment of Magnolia Road will be completed in the Spring of 2011.

Pollak believes Pearland will continue to grow, “This city has grown from a bedroom community to a lifestyle community. You now have all the amenities that you could ask for here.” But he believes that Pearland will continue to grow to the south and the need for medical offices hasn’t been met. Mayor Reid is also excited about the prospect of having another hospital in Pearland, “I think it’s a great idea, that area is not un-served, but it’s probably under served,” he said.

Pearland may be “a city of orange cones” for a while, but the finished project will be well worth it. As Mayor Reid said, “something the citizens of Pearland are hopefully going to love for a long time.”

Source: www.hcnonline.com

Toys For Tots Golf Tournament Coming Soon

Greg Rivera — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Help a good cause this fall with a day of friendly competition, food and music! Toys for Tots is having its first annual Toy Run Golf Tournament on Monday, October 5th at the Golfcrest Country Club in Pearland.

The golfing tournament begins at 12:45, preceded by the sixth annual Sundown Band Reunion presented by the Toy Run Committee. Attendees will also be treated with a buffet served from 6-8 pm and a live concert afterwards.

Those interested in the buffet and concert can purchase tickets at $75 per person. Sponsorship for the event range from $200 for single players to $3,000 for 8 player teams with a promotional table and tee signage. All sponsors will receive special recognition on the Toys for Tots Run website, banners and programs during the tournament.

The funds raised at this event go to purchasing and distributing toys for needy children during Christmas within the Pearland community.

For more information on the tournament please visit their website at www.toysfortotstoyrun.com/Golf_Tournament.php.