Community Chamber of Commerce

Close proximity to the cultural and social amenities of the City of Houston, as well as the recreational opportunities of Lake Conoe, Lake Houston and Lake Livingston, provide area residents with a wide range of opportunities.

Health Care

The area has strong medical services. Kingwood Medical Center and its associated operations comprise the largest medical entity in the area. Northeast Medical Center in Humble, and Cleveland Regional Medical Center in Cleveland also serve area citizens. The East Montgomery County Community Clinic in Splendora sees patients seven days a week.

Education

Three highly respected independent school districts provide public school education – New Caney ISD, Splendora ISD, and the Caney Creek feeder zone of Conroe ISD. Higher education opportunities are available through Kingwood College, Montgomery College, North Harris College, and the University Center, all part of the Lone Star College System (formally North Harris Montgomery Community College District (NHMCCD)). All four of these higher education campuses are within easy driving distance of the area. Each of the educational institutions are growing and responding to the needs of that growth by expanding their facilities. The campuses of  the Lone Star College System are continuing to grow, with record enrollment experienced during fall 2005.

New Caney voters passed a $48 million bond referendum in 2004 to meet their increased student capacities. Splendora ISD is also planning for the future, with a facilities study committee determining the direction the district should take for the next several years. Conroe ISD voters passed a $280 million bond referendum in 2004 to keep up with its growth. All area public schools are conscious of the challenges and future demands that come with growth and are planning today to meet those demands.

Students in the area can also attend private schools as well as home schooling.

As the East Montgomery County area continues to grow, the need for additional school facilities will need to be addressed once again. Each of the three school districts recognize both the need for the highest quality curriculum, as well as providing an environment conducive to learning. The Chamber has consistently supported these initiatives.

The Academy of Lifelong Learning, associated with Kingwood College and housed at the EMCID complex, is open to adults age 50 and older. An annual membership fee of $10 allows members to attend unlimited classes and programs. ALL membership continues to increase and stands at over 600 today.

The Mission, a local community non-profit agency, offers GED classes as well as English as a Second Language classes to area citizens.

We are very proud of each of our educational institutions.

Recreation

In August 2006, ownership of the 4,919.5 acre Lake Houston State Park was transferred to the City of Houston and is now operated as one of its city parks in cooperation with Montgomery County Precinct 4. A master plan is currently being written to develop the park as a major tourist attraction, as well as a park local and regional citizens enjoy.

The area has several health clubs and exercise facilities to help citizens maintain a healthy lifestyle. The proximity to Houston affords citizens easy access to additional opportunities within the city and surrounding region. There are several recreational vehicle parks that accommodate RV’s and travel trailers.

Montgomery County actively supports youth sports programs and provides numerous fields for their leagues. Additional fields have been built at the Splendora complex, and a complete new baseball/softball park is being built in New Caney. The existing baseball fields at Sallas Park will be converted to football and soccer fields.

Market Access   |   Transporation   |   Labor and Employment   |   Development
Utilities   |   Governance   |   Major Employers   |  Demographics  |    Retail Sales Tax   |   Property Tax

Eight distinct communities make up what is often called East County. The communities of Porter, New Caney, Splendora, Roman Forest, Woodbranch Village, Patton Village, Grangerland, and a portion of Kingwood are located in the area.

Market Access

• More than 60,000 people live in the trade area.
• The major markets of Houston, Conroe, and The Woodlands are less than 30 minutes away.

Transportation

U.S. Highway 59 is the main north/south roadway running through the area with state highways 242 and 105 along with FM roads 1314, 1485, and 2090 traversing the area east and west. Highway 59 has often been called the busiest non-interstate roadway in the country and it brings East County within close proximity to downtown Houston, Bush Intercontinental Airport, and to the Port of Houston. The final environmental impact statements for the proposed Grand Parkway (Highway 99) around Houston have been developed with construction schedules still to be determined. Major rail line service runs through the area as well.

Over 70,000 cars per day pass through the intersection of Highway 59 and FM 1314 each day, with 51,000 per day at Highway 59 and FM 1485. Approximately 142,000 cars cross the Harris/Montgomery County line area.

Improvements to Highway 59, FM 1314 and FM 1485 are underway, with Highway 59 being built to interstate standards. Highway 59 will include four traffic lanes in each direction, with three lane feeder roads along each side. FM 1314 in Porter is being widened to four lanes from Loop 494 to Highway 242. FM 1485 is being widened to four lanes from Loop 494 to Kidd-Cemetery Road in New Caney.

The Montgomery County Toll Road Authority was formed in 2007 to establish and build additional toll roads in the county. Four initial projects have been identified, including a direct connector at Highway 242 and Interstate 45, a north/south connector to the Grand Parkway (two phases), and establishing toll lanes adjacent to the lanes of Highway 242.
 

Labor and Employment

The area’s labor force is one of its primary assets, with an abundance of workers with strong work ethics in a broad range of professions. A Wal-Mart Distribution Center is located in the area, as is Administaff.

Development

Close proximity to Houston is a prime reason for a number of new residential and commercial projects currently underway. These projects will have a significant impact on the area and its future. Prime sites for future development are still available along major corridors.

Utilities

Resident and industrial customers receive reliable, dependable electric and natural gas service with attractive rates. The county’s future water resources are under study, with conservation and management of those resources being key factors.
The area is served by the following utilities –

Electricity........Entergy Texas
 
Natural gas.......Center Point Energy
 
Telephone.......AT&T, EMBARQ, and Consolidated Communications
 
Water and sewer ....... various municipal utility districts, Porter Special Utility District

Governance & Public Safety

The cities of Patton Village, Roman Forest, Splendora and Woodbranch Village are incorporated cities with their own police departments that provide patrol and response within their respective jurisdictions. All other areas are unincorporated and under the governance of Montgomery County. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s office and Constable Precinct 4 provide public safety resources. Ambulance service is provided by the Montgomery County Hospital District. Fire safety is provided by Montgomery County Emergency Services Districts 6 and 7, as well as the Splendora Fire District. Permitting is through Montgomery County, with some areas falling under the jurisdiction of the City of Houston.

Major Employers

Retail Sales Tax

City of Splendora*                                                1.00% 
 East Montgomery County  Improvement District*     1.00%
 State of Texas                                                    6.25%
   
 Montgomery County   
      Emergency Services Districts 6 and 7                 0.50%
      Total for most of area                                     7.75%

*EMCID rate does not apply within the city limits of Splendora

Property Taxes

All rates are per $100 valuation 

 Conroe ISD...........$1.76
 New Caney ISD...........     $1.79
 Splendora ISD ...........    $1.69
 Montgomery County ........... $0.4963
 North Harris Montgomery
       Community College District ........... $0.1207
 City of Patton Village...........  $0.5000
 City of Roman Forest........... $0.5198
 City of Woodbranch Village........... $0.4919
 Montgomery County Hospital District........... $0.0850
 New Caney MUD ...........   $0.5376
 Porter MUD ...........    $0.5150

Demographics