Houston’s economic development head outlined a plan Monday to spark growth in the community that he said would improve education, create jobs and bring other opportunities.
Rob Harrington, who assumed the position last fall, gave the Houston City Council a detailed blueprint he planned to tackle in the coming year. Harrington told the six-member council and mayor that the plan includes several elements:
•Workforce development: Creation of an educated, well-prepared workforce. A labor study, working with an outside firm, will be conducted on the Houston area. Harrington said he continues to work on technical education opportunities, including with Cox College, to offer health occupations classes as early as fall 2020, and also developing welding classes. He said he is working with the South Central Council of Governments and the federal Delta Regional Authority to find funding sources. A focus for the project is Houston Development Co. property on Spruce Street. Drury College uses a portion of the building for classes.
•Housing assessment: He plans to work with consulting firms to assess the condition of housing, including desirable price points for needed single-family housing. Harrington said he’ll also look at builder incentives. He noted housing is a crucial component when jobs arrive.
•Building codes: He said he’ll examine policies that would assure construction standards for work in the community, which would make it inviting to newcomers. He suggested using the 2006 International Existing Building Code.
•Business attraction: He said a community assessment is planned to grade the town’s readiness for attracting new investment. The report will give the city input on what improvements are required. The council also needs to determine what would trigger incentives to attract investment.
•Marketing plan: Launching of a new city website and development of marketing videos for use on social media and other platforms.
•Fiber to home: Giving the city an advantage over other communities with a fast Internet system for businesses and residents. A consulting firm has held meetings with the city to develop a municipal-owned system. A plan is expected soon.
•Business retention: He’ll work closely with existing employers to help them advance. The plan also includes recognizing businesses and developing quarterly mayor roundtables with employers. The city also would work toward providing support ranging from better sidewalks to required training, such as education on using software or other needs. A focus also will continue on enhancing the downtown business district.
Harrington said he’ll also work to incorporate a Drury University comprehensive study on Houston conducted in 2014 that was developed by a broad cross-section of the community during work sessions over several months. It contains many suggestions to improve the community.