TEDC Annual Conference
LA MARQUE – Several members of the La Marque City Council, including Council member
Kimberly Yancy and Mayor Pro-Tem Joe Compian, along with members of the Economic
Development Corporation Board, attended the Texas Economic Development Council’s Annual
Conference in San Antonio on October 19 through 21, 2022. This three-day event featured
industry experts discussing important economic development topics and trends. The conference
included discussion panels of economic development professionals sharing their knowledge and
experience. Speakers included Pablos Holman, an inventor and tech entrepreneur, and futurist;
Aaron Farmer, President of The Retail Coach; Evan Smith, Co-Founder, and CEO of The Texas
Tribune, and others. The conference included topics like “Resources to Catapult Economic
Development Organizations, Manufacturers and Businesses,” “Strategic Opportunities for the
use of Grants,” and “Boosting Your Business Retention & Expansion.”
“We learned a lot about what is happening and what’s coming to Texas, and La Marque is
making some good progressive moves,” says Council member Kimberly Yancy. “Some of the
things we’re doing are right on track with what our state is trying to do to help their cities.”
Economic Development Corporation Board Members who attended the conference included
Bobby Hocking, Tracie Steans, and Cleveland Lane. Those also in attendance included
Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Alex Getty and Public Relations
Specialist Mandy Woodburn.
“I hear other small communities say, we wish we had a Walmart, a Sam’s Club, an Amazon,
and I think, we’re lucky we have all these,” says Mayor Pro-Tem Joe Compian. “I’m glad to
come back and communicate with our community the value of these things.”
The Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) is an Austin-based, statewide, 501(c)(6)
non-profit professional association dedicated to the development of economic and employment
opportunities in Texas. They are the largest state association of economic development
professionals, volunteers, and elected officials. Their diverse members share a common goal —
bringing new investment and jobs to Texas. They provide information, educational and
legislative services to more than 850 members representing more than 500 public and private
economic development organizations, including more than 350 cities. Their objective is to
support the economic growth of Texas and develop strategies that promote a positive business
climate in our state.
About the City of La Marque
The city of La Marque is strategically situated in Galveston County, 15 miles south of Houston and four
miles north of Galveston Island. La Marque is the second-fastest-growing city in the county. In 2018, the
city was named the second-fastest-growing city in the county, with an estimated population of 19,000, an
area of 14.25 square miles, and boasting 14.3 miles of I-45 frontage—more than any other city in
Galveston County. Citizens enjoy easy, breezy coastal living, abundant housing options, and the security
of a hurricane protection levee system. La Marque is a sportsman’s paradise and offers access to world-
class medical, travel, and entertainment options. Citizens and visitors enjoy Bayou Fest, an early fall
concert series and BBQ Cook-Off offering free family fun, and Crawfish Bash, an annual crawfish cook-off
that earned a Guinness World Record in 2017.
EDC Website: https://www.ci.la-marque.tx.us/543/Community-Profile
City of La Marque Website: https://www.ci.la-marque.tx.us/
La Marque EDC Facebook Page: https://m.facebook.com/LaMarqueEDC
City Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/cityoflamarque
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CityofLaMarqueTexas
TEDC Website: https://texasedc.org/
