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La Marque Economic Development Corp. highlights new businesses, steady sales tax run amid I‑45 construction
Summary
Economic Development Director Alex Geddy told council that La Marque has seen steady residential growth and eight consecutive record years for sales tax, detailed a slate of new and upcoming businesses, and promoted local programs including Lemonade Day and small‑business training.
La Marque — Alex Geddy, director of the La Marque Economic Development Corporation, presented an update to the city council on commercial activity, marketing and workforce programs, and urged continued local support for small businesses.
Geddy told council the city has experienced roughly a 45% population increase over the last 12–13 years and credited both new development on the city’s west side and infill on the historic east side for economic growth. "We've had more than a dozen steady years of residential growth," Geddy said. He noted the city has recorded eight straight years of record sales tax collections despite a pandemic and extended I‑45 construction.
The presentation named existing businesses and recent openings — including ARs entertainment at Gulfway Plaza, Sid’s Grooming, a second McDonald's location, Salon Centric, Raising Cane’s, Chipotle, Dream Teams (custom apparel), and Fidelity National Title — and listed upcoming projects: Valvoline, Quick Quack, Big City Wings, Tropical Smoothie Café, PJ’s Coffee, and a large fueling and convenience development (referred to as the “Texan store”) on roughly 10½ acres that the presenter said is expected to create about 80 jobs and include about 40 pumps. Geddy also described marketing work (social ads, Houston Business Journal outreach, trade shows) and small‑business programming, including a monthly small‑business series that averages about 15 businesses per session and a social‑media video program for local shops.
Why it matters: steady retail and restaurant openings expand sales tax base at a time when the city faces infrastructure pressures from major highway construction nearby. Geddy said the EDC partners with Resimplify to maintain a local property listing feed, supports the annual Lemonade Day youth entrepreneurship event (May 3), and runs business videos and a small‑business series to help local employers expand.
What council asked for: follow‑up on sales‑tax audit status from HDL, and staff said they will circulate details about neighborhood mail distribution of city newsletters.
