Blog entries tagged economy

Heritage Bank Opens New Pearland Headquarters

Greg Rivera — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:46:01 +0100

Heritage Bank has been serving Texas proudly since 1985 and they are glad to expand their business to serve the community as they open their second Pearland location – the new Pearland Headquarters - in December of 2010. The 7,000 sq ft facility began with a ground breaking on Saturday January 23 as the Heritage Bank Board of Directors donned gold shovels and hard hats.

Heritage bank was founded in 1985 in Detroit, Texas and in 2008 local investors and organizers acquired the assets of Community National Bank in Detroit, TX from its original founders. Over the years Heritage Bank has grown, now owned by over 140 local business owners they plan to continue expanding to better serve the community. As Texas State Representative, Heritage Bank’s Chairman and CEO Dennis Bonnen stated, “Heritage is a bank owned by local business owners, for local business owners, and is based on the belief that you shouldn’t have to sacrifice the technology of the big banks to gain the service of the small.”

This commitment to “a strong banking system and great customer service” without sacrificing technology has allowed the bank to provide a variety of services including online banking and such cutting edge services as remote deposit. “As a bank new to the Pearland market, we aren’t just changing how you bank but we are reminding the local community why banks are here in the first place,” said Bonnen.

Bonnen knows what makes good business – he has more than seven years experience in the banking industry and 12 years experience in the Texas Legislature, elected as Texas State Representative when he was only 24. He was recognized as a leader in the local community and as a business leader in the Texas banking industry when we was listed in the “40 under 40” list by The Houston Business Journal. This is the knowledge and leadership that has helped make Heritage a leading bank.

The current Pearland office located at 3322 E. Walnut in Pearland has been serving as the main banking and loan center for Heritage since 2009 and will continue to serve the community as the bank expands its local operations in Pearland and across Texas.

To learn more about Heritage Bank please visit www.bankheritage.com

Pauluhn Electric of Pearland Has a New Parent Company – But Jobs Will be Retained

Greg Rivera — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:16:26 +0100

Pauluhn Electric of Pearland will see some changes coming soon – its parent company has just changed from Federal Signal Corporation to Cooper Crouse-Hinds. Thankfully that is all that will change and it will not affect the company’s 80 person workforce.

Pauluhn, located at 1611 North Main in Pearland, has been operating since 1924, producing marine, offshore, mining and industrial lighting solutions using the latest advancements in lighting science. “Pauluhn has a strong reputation for innovative products and excellent quality,” Kirk S. Hachigian, CEO of Cooper Industries shared. “This acquisition further extends Crouse-Hinds’ access to several key end markets, including marine, mining and offshore drilling.”

Cooper Crouse-Hinds, a subsidiary of Cooper Industries PLC, bought the company for $35 million. Federal Signal was pleased with the transaction and is hopeful for the growth opportunities it will provide. “We are pleased to have completed the sale of Pauluhn to Cooper Industries,” President and chief executive officer of Federal Signal William Osborne shared. “We intend to invest the proceeds from the sale transaction in growth opportunities faced by our public safety businesses.”

And the change should be a good fit for the employees of Pauluhn and continue to be a solid business in the Pearland community. Osborne concluded, “Pauluhn is a good fit with Cooper Industries and I am confident that Pauluhn will continue to deliver the high-quality products and service their customers have come to expect from tem. We wish them continued success.”

Pearland Secures $777K in Grant Money

Greg Rivera — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:58:30 +0100

The City of Pearland has been awarded $777 thousand dollars in grant money to fund five different programs in five departments, ranging from upgrades to the recycling center to crime prevention education materials. Paulette Englund, the Budget Analyst who oversees the City’s grant function shared her excitement, “The grant process is, by nature, very competitive and even more so in this time of economic ‘belt-tightening,’ so we are very pleased to have been able to apply for and secure these monies for the citizens of Pearland.”

The money was awarded to the following departments and their prospective programs

$12,861 to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance

To fund a Laser software program for simulated weapons training
To purchase crime prevention education materials for parents and children.

$31,673 to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TECQ)

For Bulb-crusher equipment for the Recycling Center, enabling collection of fluorescent bulbs
To purchase recycling bins for placement at parks/public places
To produce recycling educational materials

$42,243 to the Texas Division of Emergency Management

To fund Emergency organizational development and long-term recovery training

$5,000 – to the National Recreation and Park Association

For a KidFish event

$685,900 to the Department of Energy

Funds for the replacement of outdoor lighting with energy efficient lights at three Centennial Park softball fields
To fund the purchase of a turbine to support the development of water-generated energy to power the Alice Street Water Plant

The funding will supply yet more opportunities for Lakes of Savannah families to enjoy the community!

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

Pearland Welcomes Another New Hotel

Cheryl Boe — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 05:00:00 +0100

The growth of the Pearland area is evident in the increase number of new businesses including another new hotel just off SH 288, minutes from Lakes of Savannah. Sleep Inn & Suites Pearland celebrated its grand opening recently with a ceremony hosted by General Manager Neil Bhakta and attended by Pearland Mayor Tom Reid and numerous representatives from area businesses and the Pearland Chamber of Commerce.

Sleep Inn & Suites Pearland, a 66-room facility located a 1908 Country Place Parkway near the Highway 288 McHard exit, offers 24-hour front desk service, complimentary breakfast, complimentary local and long distance calls, high-speed internet access (both wired and wireless) and free parking.

The facility has conference rooms, laundry facilities, a pool, spa and exercise room. A high-ceiling lobby and adjacent breakfast area were designed for the business or leisure traveler.

Sleep Inn & Suites is a three-story hotel with single and double occupancy and suites as well as handicap-access rooms or rooms with the business traveler in mind replete with multi-line phones and desks. Rooms are equipped with 32-inch flat screen televisions, MP3 alarm clocks, refrigerators and microwaves.

Sleep Inn & Suites is the latest hotel chain to open a facility in Pearland in the last six years, joining Hampton Inn, Spring Hill Suites by Marriott, Courtyard by Marriott, Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites and La Quinta Inn.

The growth along SH 288 has provided a number of added conveniences for residents of Lakes of Savannah, located off SH 288 at SH 6. Now, residents are minutes away from world class health care facilities, retail centers, restaurants and recreation.

HUD Secretary Donvan Unveils New Details on Home Buyer Tax Credit

Cheryl Boe — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0100

In a recent speech before the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Board of Directors, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan today unveiled new rules that will help spur the housing market by allowing consumers to use the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit to help cover the costs of closing on an FHA-insured home.

“We believe this is a real win for everyone,” said Donovan. “Today, the Obama Administration is taking another important step toward accelerating the recovery of the nation’s housing market. Families will now be able to apply their anticipated tax credit toward their home purchase right away.”

“With the spring home buying season in full bloom, Secretary Donovan’s move to enable buyers to access the tax credit at the time of closing could not have come at a better time,” said NAHB Chairman Joe Robson, a home builder from Tulsa, Okla. “This new rule will further encourage state housing finance agencies to develop programs to monetize the tax credit.”

source: The National Association of Home Builders

Pearland Center Hosts Job Symposium

Melissa Burnham — Tue, 26 May 2009 05:00:00 +0100

In order to make way for evolving technologies, expanding global markets and fiscal challenges within the Texas workforce development, the Texas State Technical College, in partnership with Alvin Community College, will host the Inaugural Horizon Technologies Summer Symposium on June 4th at the Pearland Center.

The purpose of this symposium is to discuss the restructuring of Texas employment trends as they relate to hiring young employees and their educational status. “Our nation’s education dropout crisis poses a significant threat to economic growth and competitiveness,” says Michael Bettersworth, the TSTC Associate Vice Chancellor for Technology Advancement. “Employers can no longer afford to hire and train dropouts and are more likely to go where skilled labor already exists,” he continued. This can be seen by the remarkable low statistic of high school and college graduates who have recently had no luck in procuring stable employment. Of the students who do actually graduate, there is as of yet an un-ideal percentage, made up of an annual 7,000 high school dropouts and only one quarter of college students returning after their sophomore year. Bettersworth believes it is necessary to “rethink and restructure our approach to education in light of this understanding, in terms of courses, awards, and the definition of student success.”

Thus, the goal of the TSTC Symposium is to “accelerate skill acquisition so that people are aligned to medium and high paying jobs quickly,” states Jim Brazell, a technology forecaster, president of VentureRamp, Inc. and featured guest speaker. According to him, there are plenty of good jobs available and are waiting to be filled. The only hold-up is that the people needing those jobs have not properly gained the skills necessary to fulfill the open positions. TSTC addresses these needs by providing individuals searching for a career with high skills training as well as industries and businesses searching for highly trained employees, specifically by adapting to the training needs of each individual to build the knowledge and experience they already possess. There is an evident gap between the needs for employers versus employees; this symposium stands to eliminate this trend.

Guest speakers at the symposium will also include District 29 Texas Representative Randy Weber, Wyle Integrated Science and Engineering Senior Scientist Kathleen M. Rosendahl-Garcia, TSTC Vice President of Innovative Solutions William Thompson, TSTC Wind Energy Technician Program Chair Dan Templeton and ACC Continuing Education Workforce Development Program & Curriculum Development Director Dr. Arthur "Pete" Linkins, III.

The Inaugural Horizon Technologies Summer Symposium will be held 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $145 per person or $75 per person if two or more register together. Lunch and snacks will be provided. For more information or to register, call (281) 756-3900. The Pearland Center is located at 2319 N. Grand Blvd.

Source: Houston Chronicle

Manvel Area Growth Reflected in City Land Purchase

Daphne Hager — Thu, 21 May 2009 05:00:00 +0100

A portion of the recent growth in the Pearland/Manvel/Alvin areas can be attributed to the flourishing of the Lakes of Savannah community. As a response to the City of Manvel's recent growth, Manvel expects to finalize a purchase of 4.64 acres of land in Old Town Manvel within the next month.

The $138,000 property is located at 6311 N. Masters Road, approved for purchase by the Manvel City Council in early 2009.

The land will be the site for a new permanent public-works facility, planned to be near a brand new City Hall and police station. Plans are to expand the current City Hall by 2,400 square feet and use it as a county library branch.

Plans to build the actual public-works facility are in the beginning stages, and there is no definite cost estimate in City Council's hands as of yet. The new facility is hoped to have space for materials, equipment, an office, and fencing to prevent theft (a current risk at the public-works facility's currently rented location).

Lakes of Savannah residents are close neighbors to Manvel, as Lakes of Savannah high school students currently attend Manvel High School, which opened in Fall of 2006. The city-community relationship is prospected to be a mutually beneficial one in years to come.

First Time Buyers Tax Credit

Greg Rivera — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 06:00:00 +0100

If you are a first time homebuyer, now is the opportunity of a lifetime! Learn how you may qualify for the new tax credit.

Hurry - this credit is good for a limited time on home sale closings after April 9, 2008 and before July 1, 2009.

For more information, visit www.FederalHousingTaxCredit.com