EMCID’s board of directors approved the selection of construction firm SpawGlass Construction Company to oversee the project in May 2023. Designed by Helman Hurley Charvat Peacock Architects, the venue will feature:
- A 55,000-square-foot ballroom and exhibit hall
- Roughly 20,000 square feet of meeting space
- Around 25,000 square feet of lobby space and outdoor courtyards.
According to a 2021 economic analysis report conducted by Hunden Strategic Partners, the project is expected to generate the following returns within the district over a 30-year period:
- $1.73 billion in spending at area businesses
- $775 million in new earnings by area businesses
- $35.1 million in sales, hotel and venue taxes
- More than 500 direct and indirect full-time equivalent jobs
Additionally, officials said the convention center would be large enough to hold major corporate events, sporting events, trade shows and other private events.
EMCID President and CEO Frank McCrady said he hopes the new convention center will help attract new residents and businesses to the area.
“The idea is to create the critical pieces that make the greater Porter-New Caney area a destination for many, but more importantly, a place where locally all can work, shop, play and even graduate,” McCrady said in a statement. “We should be at the top of the list of major employment relocations, and this investment will certainly help move the needle.”
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