Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen went from the “big office” to the big screen on April 25, presenting his “State of the City” address to nearly 300 people who gathered at the Star Cinema Grill on Highway 6.
“If you came to see pie charts, and you came to see graphs, then you came to the wrong show because I think you want to see what Missouri City is about,” Mayor Owen said about the momentous event hosted by the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce.
The video highlighted projects such as the new Community Center and Golf Pro Shop, which has been named the City Centre at Quail Valley. Both that multi-million dollar project and the new Recreation and Tennis Center on Cypress Point Drive should be completed in mid-Summer. City Centre will offer residents, businesses and visitors an elegant venue for family and business events.
“Missouri City State of the City: The Movie” also focused on business development, featuring Ben E. Keith, a renowned food distribution company that is constructing a LEED-certified facility along the Gessner Road Corridor, bringing hundreds of jobs to the City.
Mayor Owen discussed business development prior to the start of the movie, saying that $500 million worth of businesses and companies came to Missouri City in 2011, creating hundreds of new jobs. He added that there will be an announcement soon about a $65 million major business establishing roots in the City.
“Economic development is very important for this part of Fort Bend County and I think under the leadership of the Mayor and the City Council, they’ve really opened up a lot of opportunities for businesses to come out here to start a business and expand,” said Gary Pearson, a Government Relations Consultant in Houston who has business ties in Missouri City.
To continue moving the City forward economically, Mayor Owen explained to guests that improving the infrastructure will require citizens to consider a bond referendum next year to pay for projects citywide.
Missouri City’s fiscal stability, public safety partnerships, citizen collaborations and dynamic diversity were all highlighted on the big screen and drew applause from supporters and guests. Many guests complimented the City and the Chamber on the success of the event and reflected on the area’s strong growth and development:
“I thought it was unique and fun…interesting and informative. Usually they’re banquet-style; so, obviously the setting was different. I enjoyed myself.”
—Doug Earle, Executive Director of First Colony Community Association
“It was very unique and entertaining. As Mayor Owen said, it wasn’t a bunch of graphs. It gave me ideas on how to do mine. I have to figure out how to top it.”
—Vincent Morales Jr., Mayor of Rosenberg
“It was intriguing and it was something that I think the staff should be commended for being able to put together. Creativity is the key.”
—Derrick M. Mitchell, Partner, Bracewell & Giuliani
"I loved the format; it was different but fun. It seemed like more of a fun, happy hour event; it was casual, exciting, and I paid more attention to the overall details because it wasn’t just pie charts and graphs. This was much better.”
—Bill Odle, Principal Board of Directors for TBG
Moving forward, City Council’s focus will continue to be business gains, the diversification of the tax base and an increase in jobs for residents. Next year, Mayor Owen said he looks forward to welcoming guests to his State of the City address at City Centre.
To view the 2012 State of the City movie in its entirety, click on www.missouricitytx.gov or watch it on Missouri City Television (Ch. 16 on Comcast and Ch. 99 on AT&T U-verse).