Skip to main content

Submarket Spotlight: Katy Area

Published Aug 20, 2019 by A.J. Mistretta

La Centerra Katy
La Centerra mixed-use development in Katy

Located about 30 miles west of Downtown Houston, Katy sits at the nexus of Harris, Fort Bend and Waller Counties. The city, which had an estimated population of just over 18,000 in 2017, is known for its picturesque residential communities that serve as home to employees working along the Energy Corridor and beyond. The one-time railroad town and the area surrounding it is today a hub of retail and industrial development thanks in part to ongoing highway and infrastructure improvements. 

We discussed Katy’s evolution with Lance LaCour, president and CEO of the Katy Area Economic Development Council (EDC)

What has been the biggest recent change that has helped propel the Katy Area EDC’s efforts? 

The completion of the Grand Parkway segment between I-10 and 290 has been a tremendous boon to development north of I-10 along this newly opened transit corridor in the Katy area and beyond. Due to completion of the Grand Parkway, land which was previously not developed due lack of highway access, has now become a hub of activity. A variety of projects ranging from large industrial to residential are currently taking place in this area. 

The expansion of Westpark Tollway west of the Grand Parkway has also been a tremendous project for our area and has contributed to a great deal of growth both residential and retail. 

How has the focus of Katy’s development effort changed through the years?

Initially when I came to Katy Area EDC, we had a strong focus on the energy industry. While the energy industry remains a vital part of the Katy area economy and the Houston region as a whole, we have now placed an emphasis on continued diversification of our local economy. This focus has helped us experience tremendous growth in the medical, industrial and high-tech sectors. We look forward to seeing our economy continue to welcome new types of business while continuing our commitment to supporting the energy industry.

Katy has long been recognized as a residential hub for the region but increasingly it’s become a center of business activity with millions of square feet of office space, industrial etc. What should Katy be recognized for today? 

The Katy area is a great place to live and work. We offer a variety of outstanding housing options, acclaimed Katy ISD Schools, and a great deal of dining and retail options, including LaCenterra

Additionally, with the continued expansion of businesses in our community, we are a community which allows people to live close to work while still enjoying the luxuries of a family-centered suburban lifestyle. 

What do you see as a few of the key advantages that Katy offers? 

The Katy area offers an affordable cost of living with access to one of the best school districts in the State of Texas. The area also has an excellent business environment with affordable office and industrial options, and access to an expansive talent pool.

What are you most excited about in Katy right now?

As an economic development professional, I am incredibly excited to see the continued diversification of business in our community. In recent years, we have seen a variety of businesses choose to locate in the Katy area ranging from large distribution centers to world-class data centers and fin-tech companies. 

What are one or two major changes on the horizon that might help shape the future of Katy?

Leaders throughout the Katy area, including within our organization, continue to focus on infrastructure project advocacy. The advocacy includes flood mitigation as well as mobility projects.  

In both areas, we continue to see a great deal of progress and I am excited to see what the next few years have in store as some of the projects begin to come to fruition. One such example is the Texas Heritage Parkway spanning from Westpark Tollway to I-10 at the Pederson Road. This road will assist in reducing congestion in the area and improving access between two main transit arteries in Westpark Tollway and I-10. 

What do you see as the Katy’s role in the broader economic development efforts of the Greater Houston region?

The Katy area continues to feature an expansive amount of available land. As the Houston region continues to grow, I think the availability of land in our area will continue to be an attractive option for both commercial and residential developers.

Of course, we also believe the industry which made our area what is it today, the energy industry, will continue to serve as a driver for growth in the Houston region with the Katy area at the epicenter of this growth.

Learn more about Katy and the Katy Area EDC. And find out about the region's other submarkets and communities through the Partnership's Regions and Neighborhoods program. 

Related News

Economic Development

Houston Region Asserts Biotech Excellence at BIO International Convention

6/25/25
The Greater Houston Partnership and regional partners showcased Houston’s thriving life sciences and biotechnology ecosystem at the 2025 BIO International Convention in Boston. As the premier annual biotechnology conference in the United States, BIO 2025 drew nearly 20,000 global attendees, offering a powerful platform to highlight the region’s momentum, innovation, and growing opportunities in the sector.    BioHouston, Galveston EDP, Partnership Lake Houston, Pearland EDC, the Sugar Land Office of Economic Development and Tourism and The Woodlands EDP presented the many assets and unique benefits the region offers to biotechnology companies from startup to full-scale, including 8 million square feet of life sciences space, strategic workforce and educational initiatives, as well as an overall favorable approach to incentives and permitting.    "Working alongside the different members of our region and telling the story of the amazing product that Greater Houston has to offer is invigorating," Galveston EDP Executive Director Joshua Owens said. "Being able to showcase our ecosystem to a worldwide audience is an exceptional step toward creating opportunities for the people of Houston."    Recent wins, such as Bionova Scientific's move to The Woodlands and United Therapeutics’ move to Generation Park, serve as testaments to the variety of options for life science businesses in our region. With pronounced capabilities in research and development, manufacturing and innovation, life sciences companies of all kinds can find a welcoming home in the Houston region.    To learn more about our life sciences and biotechnology ecosystem, visit our life sciences page. 
Read More
Digital Technology

Houston Advances Global Growth Strategy at VivaTech 2025

6/17/25
As Houston continues to expand its role as a global center for innovation and investment, the Greater Houston Partnership and Rice University led a strategic trade mission to Paris, France, to elevate the region’s presence at Viva Technology (VivaTech) 2025, the largest technology and innovation summit in Europe.  With 180,000 international attendees, VivaTech offered direct access to global business leaders, policymakers and investors exploring high-growth markets. Houston’s activation sparked opportunities for potential partnerships and drew attention from notable leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Vanessa Wyche, Acting Administrator of NASA.   “They see Houston as one of the cities of the future, and they’re backing that up with their resources and attention,” stated John Cypher, the Partnership’s Vice President of International Investment and Trade. “We saw a lot of potential for partnerships that could bring more international startups to Houston and connect founders to new European markets.”  Beyond VivaTech, the delegation met with key players in France’s innovation and finance sectors, including Banque Publique d’Investissement France, Mouvement des Entreprises de France, and Station F.   The week-long trade mission also highlighted Houston’s global academic leadership with a guided visit to Rice University’s Global Paris Center, the university’s first international campus. “It’s a remarkable moment where Rice shows the world that we are an entrepreneurial-, science- and engineering-based tech accelerator,” said Caroline Levander, Rice’s Vice President for Global Strategy. The center represents a broader vision to connect Houston’s educational and entrepreneurial resources to Europe’s innovation ecosystem. The mission culminated with a reception at the former embassy of the Republic of Texas, celebrating the enduring ties between Texas and France and reinforcing a shared commitment to innovation and growth.   Houston’s role at VivaTech 2025 highlights the city’s innovation and role as a major hub for foreign direct investment. Strengthening international business ties remains a significant part of our growing economy and a way to spur further investment and advance innovation for our region.   Learn more about Houston’s growing role in the global economy.  
Read More

Related Events

Demography

2025 Houston Facts

The Greater Houston Partnership invites you to Houston Facts on Wednesday, August 6 to unveil the highly anticipated 2025 Houston Facts publication and dive deeper into…

Learn More
Learn More
Executive Partners