Rosenberg Development Corporation (TX) – Economic Development Strategic Plan 2024-2033
Challenge
From its inception, Rosenberg has enjoyed a unique position in the Texas Gulf Coast region. Located just 30 miles from Houston, the city’s notable infrastructure—which includes three major railways, an interstate highway, and Port Freeport—contributes to its historic reputation as a hub for industrial production and distribution. Coupled with consistently strong population growth and an abundance of land, Rosenberg competes successfully with its neighbors in Fort Bend County and other suburban communities in the region and state. However, without a strong focus on industrial development, retail development, and redevelopment, Rosenberg could easily be overrun with large master-planned residential developments, straining the tax base and limiting the community’s ability to capture business expansion from Houston.
Response
To address these challenges and continue to improve the city’s competitive position in the Houston metro area, the Rosenberg Development Corporation (RDC) selected TIP Strategies to prepare a 10-year economic development strategic plan. After amassing a wealth of stakeholder input; examining Rosenberg’s demographics, workforce, and real estate assets; and generating an analysis of its strengths, weakness, opportunities, and threats, TIP identified seven goals. These goals, and the associated strategies and actions, were organized in two groups. Development-related goals (Goals 1 through 3) outlined how the RDC can drive growth in ways that translate into increased revenue and that maximize opportunities in three areas: industrial, retail, and redevelopment. The remaining goals (Goals 4 through 7) identified organizational recommendations that will require expanded resources, whether in the form of full-time employees or ad hoc independent contractors. These goals were designed to position the RDC to meet the needs of a growing community and include expanded capacity in the following areas: compliance and market data, public communications and transparency, workforce development, and small business and entrepreneurship. Through this expanded approach, the RDC can help support Rosenberg’s essential manufacturing and distribution sectors, strengthen the local retail sector to increase sales tax revenue, and bring new vibrancy to the community by revitalizing key corridors.