The Fort Bend Economic Development Council could dissolve. If it does, new committee would reflect community, officials say

The council has functioned similarly to an economic development department for the county for nearly 40 years. It will meet Wednesday to decide its future.

Fort Bend Economic Development Council chairman Jared Jameson addresses the commissioners court Tuesday.
Natalie Weber

Houston Public Media
NATALIE WEBER, FORT BEND COUNTY BUREAU
POSTED ONJANUARY 9, 2024, 3:51 PM

Fort Bend County plans to work with developers, major employers and others to create a committee re-imagining the Fort Bend Economic Development Council if it dissolves.

The council's staff has already been offered severance and their last day will be January 31st.

Fort Bend Commissioners held a public hearing Tuesday to discuss the future of economic development in the county, if the council dissolves.

The council, which is a public-private partnership, has functioned similarly to an economic development department for the county for nearly 40 years. It will meet Wednesday to decide its future.

The council and the county hired Austin-based consulting firm TIP Strategies last year to prepare an economic development plan after the county created its own economic development department.

The firm recommended that the council fully replace its staff and board.

"We were told that many had issues with our staff," Jared Jameson, the council's chairman, said at the public hearing.

He said the council was also told that their board needs to better reflect the community.

During the public hearing, TIP Strategies president Tracye McDaniel discussed the makeup of the committee that would reimagine the council if it votes to disband.

"Representatives from the county, from the private sector, large employers, chambers of commerce, economic development — that representation is identified clearly in our recommendation," she said.

Jameson said that the council will continue to exist in some format as a public-private partnership, even if the current organization disbands, though the new organization will take a different direction.

"We're committed to economic development in Fort Bend County," he said. "We're committed to working with the county, with the city, with the private sector to build a new organization."