Tomball EDC touts restaurant recruits, 300-job phase for CSCW Industries

At its Oct. 6 special meeting, the Tomball City Council received an update from Economic Development staff on recruitment and retention efforts that included two proposed sit-down restaurants and a primary job grant tied to a multi-phase relocation for a company identified as CSCW Industries.

The update, presented to the mayor and council, said Cheddar's and Olive Garden are proposed as new sit-down dining options. Staff said the CSCW Industries proposal for phase 1 would create about 300 full-time jobs in a roughly 150,000-square-foot facility on about 72.8 acres and that the company hopes to have construction completed by February 2027 if approvals proceed.

The Economic Development presentation noted recent recognition at the International Economic Development Council conference, where staff said the Tomball EDC won three awards'two golds for its annual report and youth employment program summary, and a bronze for success stories'and that the EDC has awarded seven business improvement grants, with many downtown recipients among them. Staff also described ongoing retention visits, including a site visit with Imperial Star Solar and a second visit from a German manufacturer that has shortlisted Tomball.

Sue Kelly, speaking to council, said the EDC is working on a stakeholder group application and conflict-of-interest form that staff plans to bring forward for appointments in November, and that the EDC will move from bimonthly to monthly meetings starting in 2026. "We are developing a user/partner list that will be presented to the consultant for the start of interviews," Kelly said, noting staff expects to conduct about 50 interviews for the Tomball Legacy Square feasibility work.

The presentation also covered Tomball Legacy Square: staff said they are in discussions with Salem Lutheran Church about a short-term, roughly 12-to-18-month, location for that church's childcare while the church does improvements, and that a feasibility consultant conducted a site tour of the square and interviewed several potential partners. The EDC web page for the project is live, staff said.

Staff said other work includes coordination with Tomball Independent School District on a realtor showcase scheduled for Oct. 22, business financial seminars run with Regions Bank, and continued website updates. Staff listed several upcoming community events, including an Outlook luncheon on Oct. 21 and several speaking engagements.

Council and staff exchanged questions about the Imperial Star Solar retention visit and workforce-development follow-up; staff said they are coordinating with local college STEM programs and workforce partners to address Imperial Star's concerns. Kelly said she will coordinate dates so that city representatives can attend on-site workforce meetings.

Council did not take formal action on the items presented. Staff said specific project items such as the CSCW Industries incentive and sit-down restaurant proposals would appear on the council agenda later in the evening for consideration.

The council directed staff to bring stakeholder group materials and any appointment recommendations to the November meeting and confirmed the EDC's shift to monthly meetings beginning in 2026. The council also received the update for its information and asked staff to continue business retention outreach.

Looking ahead, the EDC indicated staff will return with specific incentive or grant requests tied to those projects once applicants complete required application materials and when development agreements or grant terms are ready for council review.