Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council renews Pearland Innovation Hub contract; small‑business users thank chamber and EDC
Summary
After a packed public comment period of entrepreneurs and service providers, Pearland City Council approved renewal of a three‑year contract funding the Pearland Innovation Hub, run by the Pearland Chamber of Commerce and funded by the Pearland Economic Development Corporation, at about $296,000 per year.
Pearland City Council approved on May 19 a three‑year contract for the Pearland Innovation Hub — a small‑business support program run by the Pearland Chamber of Commerce and funded through the Pearland Economic Development Corporation.
The Pearland Innovation Hub provides a navigator, free coaching hours and a back‑end platform that connects entrepreneurs to advisors, grants and training. Chamber CEO Jim Johnson and PEDC President Matt Buchanan told council the contract totals roughly $888,000 over three years (about $296,000 per year) and funds staff, programming, events and outreach.
Dozens of local business owners and advisers came to the podium to support the renewal. Noe Montoya, co‑owner of Quick Snap Events, said the hub’s “free, welcoming” services and one‑on‑one advisor time helped his business pivot and grow. Marilyn Ramirez Segundo, founder of Yellow Apron Baking Company and a pitch‑competition winner at the hub, said the hub provided “real support, real resources, and real connection.”
Ali Udawala of the Small Business Development Center described a referral partnership with the hub, where early‑stage founders are stewarded to SBDC advisers for deeper, grant‑writing and finance work. David Graham, owner of Spacious (which hosts the hub), and other participants said the hub is useful as an on‑ramp to the local and regional business ecosystem.
The chamber reported 314 members associated with the hub (294 business owners) and staff said project‑based technical assistance launched in September had produced hundreds of advisory hours and dozens of documented business outcomes, including job creation and new marketing initiatives. Council members praised the hub’s early results and the chamber’s management since taking the contract last year.
Council voted 7‑0 to approve the resolution authorizing the contract renewal. Matt Buchanan said the EDC will continue to monitor outcomes and convene an advisory board with local experts to guide the hub’s programming.
