Pearland Economic Development Corporation

The Pearland Economic Development Corporation (PEDC) is a 4B Corporation that promotes, assists and enhances the economic development activities and quality of life within the City of Pearland, Texas. It was established in 1995 by the city’s voters. By attracting new businesses to the area and expanding existing ones, the PEDC attracts capital investment to add to Pearland’s tax base and helps to increase the number of better-paying jobs for residents.

The fastest growing suburb of Houston (Forbes.com, July 2007), Pearland is eight miles from the world-renowned Texas Medical Center and 10 miles from downtown Houston on State Highway 288.

PEDC Business Resources

To help cultivate an attractive business environment, the PEDC and the City of Pearland offer a variety of business resources to business owners interested in locating or expanding their businesses in Pearland:

  • BizConnect – A business retention and expansion program that focuses on “connecting” Pearland businesses with the resources they need to grow and prosper within the city. The BizConnect team consists of representatives from the PEDC, the Pearland Area Chamber of Commerce, Alvin Community College-Pearland Center, Northern Brazoria County Education Alliance and the Greater Houston Partnership. They work to establish relationships with local business owners by visiting them, sharing information about available resources and addressing any issues or needs of the business.
  • Pearland Prospector – An online resource to help developers, brokers and site selectors. It identifies the optimum location for a business expansion or relocation based on specifications in the Greater Houston region. This GIS-powered Web site includes custom property searches, interactive demographic analysis, site specific industry cluster reports and dynamic mapping of local data.
  • Economic Incentives – The PEDC offers grants and tax abatements to qualified businesses. Other incentives include:
    • Texas Enterprise Zone Program – Qualified businesses can get a refund on all state sales and use taxes.
    • Freeport Tax Exemption – Exempts taxes on eligible inventory that is transported out of the state of Texas within 175 days of acquisition. The goods must first be in Texas only for a limited purpose, such as for storage or factory processing.
    • Foreign Trade Zone – Pearland’s location within a Foreign Trade Zone area helps companies save money via various duty exemptions and deferrals, as well as relief of local ad valorem taxes and inverted tariffs.
    • Other incentives – Skills Development Fund Program, In-State Tuition for Employees, Pollution Control Property Tax Exemption and the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center.
  • Workforce Training – Two local colleges offer outstanding programs in professional and workforce development. Alvin Community College offers customized training and services through its Continuing Education Department. The Small Business Development Center at San Jacinto College provides free private counseling and low-cost workshops to help small business owners start and grow their companies.

    The PEDC is also involved in the Northern Brazoria County Education Alliance. NBCEA is a regional workforce training initiative to assist in developing a skilled workforce through high-quality education and training programs.
  • Pre-Development Meetings – Weekly, one-hour time slots to meet with individuals or parties planning to develop property in the Pearland area. This meeting successfully speeds up the timeframe of projects by linking company officials, developers, property owners, engineers, architects, etc. with the local officials responsible for all aspects of the permitting process.
  • Permits – The PEDC can serve as a liaison to help expedite the permitting process.

Leadership

Board of Directors:
George Sandars, Chairman
Ed Thompson, Vice Chairman
Lucy Stevener, Secretary

Boardmembers:
Virgil Gant
Katheleen Hartin
Gary Idoux
David Stedman

Executive Staff:
Fred Welch, Executive Director
Ramon Lozano, Assistant Director
Kyler Cole, Director of Redevelopment
Jenny Brannon, Economic Development Specialist
Janice Vega, Office Coordinator