Economic Development

East End Industry

Houston’s East End, the original birthplace of business is a hybrid of retail and manufacturing businesses ready to be of service. The economic engine driving the East End economy is the Port of Houston. The economic effect of the Port of Houston results in a spin-off of related service companies from logistics/warehousing companies to marine related industries supporting the Port.

Food manufacturing giants call the East End home with several companies employing over 3,000 employees with an economic impact of 12,000+ additional indirect jobs in the area.

Look no further than the East End to find a business that can meet your business needs.

East End Calling Card

Small Business Resources
East End Chamber of Commerce - (713) 926-3305 
University of Houston SBDC - (713) 752-8444 
SCORE Houston - (713) 773-6565 
POH Small Business Development - (713) 670-2400 
METRO Transit Authority - (713) 739-4000 
City of Houston - (713) 247-2982 
Houston Minority Supplier Development Council - (713) 271-7805 
Houston Business Development Inc. - (713) 845-2400 
Urban Business Initiative - (713) 845-2472 

Economic. Dev. Resources
Office of the Governor - Economic Development & Tourism 
Office of the Governor – Starting a business
Greater Houston Partnership - (713) 844-3600
City of Houston Economic Development programs

Special Grants Programs
City of Houston Brownfield Program - (832) 394-9005
EPA Brownfields - (202) 566-2777

Additional Resources
Preservation Houston - (713) 510-3990
Economic Alliance Houston Port Region - (281) 476-9176)
Texas Historical Commission - (512) 463-6100
Vanpooling - STAR
Greater East End Management District - (713) 928-9916
Green Building Initiative - Harris County

Demographics

Population 234,128

Household
Estimated Households - 104,619
Average Household Income - $40,156
Median Household Income - $32,082
Median Disposable Income -$28,590

Race & Ethnicity
70% Hispanic or Latino Population

Education Attainment
High School Graduate - 25.9%
Any College - 27.5%
College Degree or Higher - 10.6%

Business
Total Number of Businesses - 9,844
Total # of Employees - 102,667
Unemployment Rate - 6.5%

Home Values (2000)
Owner Median Home Value - $53,746
Renter Occupied Median Rent - $245

Consumer Expenditure Annual Total
Total Household Expenditures - $2.58 bill.
Total Non-Retail Expenditures - $1.44 bill.

Consumer Expenditure Per Month
Total Retail Expenditures - $1.15 bill.
Total Household Expenditures - $3,150
Total Non-Retail Expenditures $1,760
Total Retail Expenditures - $1,401

Economic Incentives

Leading the way for Business!

The Houston East End Chamber of Commerce offers bottom-line advantages for long-term business growth. We understand the importance of entrepreneurs needing access to capital as well as corporations needing assistance with navigating through city, county and statewide incentive guidelines.

Part of our mission is to nurture long-term business profitability for all types of businesses, from corporate headquarters to manufacturing plants to service firms.

As a right-to-work state with no personal income tax, Texas excels at creating an environment for working and playing.

The Houston East End Chamber of Commerce and the State of Texas have assembled several options for business location incentives.

Appropriateness is not eligible for a tax exemption. The exemption applies for five (5) years when granted by the City. If combined with other tax entities, the exemption period may apply for up to ten (10) years.

Below, in alphabetical order, is a list of the programs offered by the State of Texas that qualify in the East End region. If you have questions or concerns about these programs please contact Frances Castaneda Dyess, President at (713) 926-3305 or by email to frances@eecoc.org.

• Bonds
• Capital Access Fund
• Chapter 380
• Development Corporation Act
• Economic Development Act
• Emerging Technology Program
• Enterprise Fund
• Enterprise Zone Program
• Foreign Trade Zone
• Franchise Tax Credits for Economic Development
• Freeport Tax Exemption
• In-State Tuition for Employees
• Leverage Funds
• Municipal & County Business Incentive Programs
• Renewal Energy Incentives
• Skills Development Fund
• Small Business Industrial Revenue Bond Program
• State Sales Tax and Use Tax Exemptions
• Tax Relief for Pollution Control Property

How does it work?

Your Economic Development team will work closely with city, county and state economic development teams to customize an incentive package that will make your relocation/expansion in the area competitive and stream-lined. It is a one stop shopping center to help your business recognize the opportunities available to help you expand or relocate your business!

• Companies with new, expanding, and relocating operations may be eligible for Property Tax Abatements if 25 or more jobs are retained/created, investment is $1.0 million or more and the project is competitively sited.
• Harris County Commercial Green Building Tax Abatement— designed to increase the potential to go more “green”. Incentive for companies that choose to build according to LEED standards established by the U. S. Green Building Council.
• Skills Development Fund grants are available to train employees through the state’s community colleges.
• The Texas Enterprise Fund allows the Governor, with approval of the Lt. Governor and Speaker of the House, to award cash grants for economic development, infrastructure development, community development, job training programs and to provide business incentives to companies relocating or expanding in the state.
• Employers relocating or expanding into one of the region’s Enterprise Zones may qualify for refunds of state and local sales taxes and state franchise taxes and have a priority call on state-funded programs, including job-training funds.
• Houston’s federally designated Enhanced Enterprise Community provides eligible employers with federal tax credits and access to low-interest loans.
• Research & Development Abatements are available to firms developing technologies in biomedicine, electronics and other emerging industries. The criteria are a minimum investment of $500,000 and creation of five or more jobs.
• Pollution Control Property Tax Abatements are available to companies with facilities, devices and equipment used to control air, water or land pollution.
• Many Houston area cities, counties and school districts exempt ad valorem property taxes for any inventory exported outside the state within 175 days have adopted the Freeport Tax Exemption. The City of Houston, several school districts and numerous other jurisdictions in the region offer the exemption.
• Some manufacturing businesses that invest up to $10 million in a project may qualify for low-interest bond financing through the state’s Industrial Revenue Bond program.
• Businesses that have established, expanded or modernized their operations in the state may be eligible for a State Sales and Franchise Tax Refund.
• Businesses engaged in manufacturing, processing, fabricating or repairing tangible equipment enjoy a Manufacturing Sales Tax Exemption on the purchase of machinery or equipment used in their businesses.
• Locating in Houston’s Malcolm Baldridge Foreign Trade Zone allows companies dealing in foreign trade to delay payment of U.S. Custom duties until their goods and merchandise actually enter U.S. commerce.

Historic Structures Tax Exemption

The City of Houston may grant a tax exemption to qualified property owners who improve designated historic properties. A property owner who has been denied a Certificate of Appropriateness is not eligible for a tax exemption. The exemption applies for five (5) years when granted by the City. If combined with other tax entities, the exemption period may apply for up to ten (10) years.