Mixed-use developments, company relocations and changes in public education funding were among a handful of the topics discussed March 22 during the third annual Economic Outlook Forum hosted by the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce.

Representatives from the education, healthcare, development and energy sectors across the state and northwest Harris County served as panel guests during the event, which gave guests a glimpse at development projects and relocations underway in the area.

Oil and gas company Noble Energy plans to relocate its Houston headquarters this year to the former HP headquarters off Hwy. 249 near Louetta Road, said Lee Robison, vice president for human resources and administration for Noble Energy.

"We were looking for a place where we could all fit into one building, and we didn't quite find it," she said. "But we did find a place where we could expand and that was right here in this [Hwy.] 249 location."

The area's amenities, room for future expansion and high residential growth were among the factors that drove the company to select the facility, Robison said.

To prepare for additional employee growth through 2025, Noble plans to build a 20-story tower across from the existing buildings that will be connected with a sky bridge. The new building is expected to be complete by 2015, at which time about 1,600 employees are expected to be working at the facilities, Robison said.

ExxonMobil has also had an influence on the area, following the energy company's announcement nearly two years ago to build a new campus in the upcoming Springwoods Village master-planned community, located south of The Woodlands and to the west of I-45.

"They have certainly become a critical catalyst and an engine to drive the development of Springwoods Village, which will include residential, retail, hotels and other office components," said Keith Simon, development director for Springwoods Village.

The community will feature a town center with hotels, shopping, dining and office space, about 5,000 residential units, 8 million square feet of commercial office space and 1 million square feet of retail space.

"By the fall of this year, we will have people living in Springwoods Village, and next spring ExxonMobil will begin moving people into their campus," Simon said. "By the middle of 2015, over 12,000 people will be working there."

The local and statewide public education system was also discussed, as panelists pointed out that an educated workforce goes hand-in-hand with economic development.

"If you ask any economic developer, they will tell you that number one on the list for location decisions is a trained workforce," said Ray Laughter, panel moderator and the vice chancellor for external affairs with Lone Star College. "It's what economic development is built on. When you look at our school districts in the area, people are moving here because of the schools."

Attorney David Thompson, who represented Cy-Fair ISD and dozens of other districts during the recent school finance trial, spoke about the recent ruling and the affect it might have on the future of school funding.

"If we're going to be economically well-off in Texas, we need every kid to meet these standards," Thompson said. "I think we're seeing some response in the short term here this [legislative] session, but I think the big conversation is still to come."