Corporate headquarters are nerve centers for local and global economies. As the executive director at the Sugar Land Office of Economic Development & Tourism, I view corporate headquarters not merely as physical structures but as catalysts for growth, innovation and community prosperity and longevity. Attracting corporate headquarters is a hallmark achievement for any economic development initiative. They validate the region’s business environment, infrastructure and workforce quality, generate jobs, stimulate demand for goods and services and drive innovation in their respective industries. Furthermore, strategically locating a company headquarters can optimize supply chain efficiency, reduce costs and enhance market responsiveness.
Sugar Land, located just outside of Houston, Texas, is home to 19 company headquarters. It’s a hub for several growing industries, including life sciences and manufacturing, and has a small-town vibe, big-city amenities and access to global markets. The region has the University of Houston, Rice University and Texas Southern University, as well as the University of Houston Sugar Land, Wharton County Junior College and Texas State Technical College.
This environment has created a pool of highly educated individuals, including researchers, scientists, engineers and nurses. In turn, this has made recruiting top talent for life science companies easier. The result is an all-encompassing ecosystem of innovative companies and the educational resources needed for success.
The City of Sugar Land enables an environment that attracts and retains prospects, leveraging the region’s competitive advantages while addressing potential constraints. This entails strategic investment in infrastructure, workforce development and business-friendly policies that enhance the region’s attractiveness to corporate decision-makers. Additionally, Sugar Land’s Community Planning & Redevelopment team assists in strategic public-private partnerships and redevelopment strategies to support the city’s long-term fiscal health. These include the $1 billion remodel of Imperial Char House, Sugar Land’s namesake, and Lake Pointe, which will be redeveloped into modern, mixed-use properties.
Sugar Land serves as a model for other regions when it comes to business attraction initiatives, including:
• Workforce: Between 2015 and mid-2020, employment growth in Sugar Land rose by more than 14 percent, twice the national average and more than three times the regional average. All employment in Sugar Land is projected to grow 1.9 percent annually over the next 10 years. Nearly 60 percent of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree or higher and local employers also have access to more than half a million college graduates within a 30-minute drive of Sugar Land.
• Infrastructure: Sugar Land has a robust transportation infrastructure, and its proximity to the fourth largest city in the United States makes it a prime location for the manufacturing and distribution of goods. Interstate 69/U.S. Highway 59 runs diagonally from Sugar Land to Houston, connecting with multiple major interstates and highways and allowing businesses to transport goods quickly and efficiently to the region’s airports, ports and rail lines. Sugar Land is also home to the Sugar Land Regional Airport (SGR), a leader in corporate aviation that manages 75,000 operations annually. The airport has been designated as a reliever airport for George Bush Intercontinental and Hobby Airport in Houston. Amenities include a luxurious terminal, concierge services from the highly rated FBO, GlobalSelect and on-site U.S. customs. In addition, the airport recently announced a partnership between Sugar Land and Wisk – an autonomous air taxi and advanced mobility company.
• Pro-business policies/resources/incentives: Texas has no corporate or personal income tax, which allows businesses to invest in workforce training, improve facilities and boost their bottom line. Texas also offers one of the largest deal-closing funds in the U.S. and keeps employers strong through the Skills Development Fund. Sugar Land adds to this by having the second lowest property tax rate in Texas among cities of comparable size, meaning companies based in Sugar Land have access to a broad range of incentives and financing options. Our economic development team works closely with businesses to find the right state and local financial incentives, including corporate tax incentives, office retention incentives, tax abatements, real estate property taxes and certain tax exemptions.
For example, the office retention incentive program was utilized for SouthWest Water Company to expand its headquarters to a 41,114-square-foot facility at Sugar Land Town Square after receiving a $1 million incentive payable over two fiscal years.
As stewards of economic development, we recognize the pivotal role that corporate headquarters play in shaping the economic landscape and proactively engage with these entities to maximize their positive impact on the region. Such partnerships not only enhance the quality of life for residents but also contribute to an area’s long-term viability and attractiveness. T&ID
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