Construction on the East Montgomery County Improvement District's 210,000-sq.-ft. convention center in New Caney began on Jan. 20, according to communityimpact.com.
The start of construction for the convention center at Valley Ranch Town Center in New Caney comes nearly three years after EMCID officials announced it in April 2022.
"The I-69/Grand Parkway corridor is absent of many key services that have held back our community's growth for decades. Today, retail has come a long way, as has industrial. The Grand Parkway has made us accessible for many outside our backyard. A part of our focus is expanding our impact at EMCID by helping attract major corporate relocations, employers that will bring high paying jobs, and increase our ‘day-time traffic population' which drives sales tax and success throughout our region," EMCID President and CEO Frank McCrady said at the time.
"The idea is to create the critical pieces that make the greater Porter/New Caney area a destination for many, but more importantly, a place where locally all can work, shop, play and even graduate at home. We should be at the top of the list of major employment relocations, and this investment will certainly help move the needle."
EMCID's board of directors in November 2024 approved a resolution authorizing the issuance of $159 million in sales tax revenue bonds. That covers the cost of the convention center and an attached 813-space attached parking garage.
EMCID Vice President and Chief Communications Officer Kelly Mattlage said the $159 million bonds include potential contingency costs.
EMCID officials said the construction would take approximately 18 months.
EMCID's board of directors approved construction firm SpawGlass Construction Co. to oversee the project in May 2023.
Designed by Helman Hurley Charvat Peacock Architects, the venue will feature:
• A 55,000-sq.-ft. ballroom and exhibit hall
• Roughly 20,000 sq.-ft. of meeting space
• Around 25,000 sq.-ft. of lobby space and outdoor courtyards.
A 2021 economic analysis report conducted by Hunden Strategic Partners projects the convention center to generate the following returns over 30 years:
• $1.73 billion in spending at area businesses
• $775 million in new earnings by area businesses
• $35.1 million in sales, hotel and venue taxes
• More than 500 direct and indirect full-time equivalent jobs
Officials contend that the convention center would be large enough to hold major corporate events, sporting events, trade shows and other private events that weren't feasible before.
"The board has researched the idea of a convention center for several years; EMCID's current facility, The Atrium Center, which has a combined 15,000 sq. ft. of leasable space, has turned away business on a constant basis because it's just too small for many events with over 200 people. Each time is a lost revenue opportunity for nearby restaurants and local hotels," Chairman of the Board Brenda Webb said at the time.
McCrady told communityimpact.com that he hopes the new convention center will help attract new residents and businesses to the area.
"The idea is to create the critical pieces that make the greater Porter-New Caney area a destination for many, but more importantly, a place where locally all can work, shop, play and even graduate," McCrady said in a statement. "We should be at the top of the list of major employment relocations, and this investment will certainly help move the needle."
