Alex Getty, Executive Director, La Marque Economic Development Corporation

In an interview with Invest:, Alex Getty, executive director of La Marque Economic Development Corporation, discussed the city’s strategic position between Houston and Galveston, its industrial expansion strategy, and the infrastructure investments supporting growth. “La Marque’s best days are ahead, and we are focused on making sure we are ready to handle what comes next,” Getty said.

How would you describe the economic outlook for La Marque right now?

The outlook is strong. La Marque is not completely built out, which differentiates us from many communities in our region. We still have significant greenfield sites available for development, and that creates opportunity.

The broader region is experiencing sustained growth. People want to move to Texas, and they want to live on the Texas Gulf Coast. That demand is one reason the Texas Department of Transportation is expanding I-45, widening it from six lanes to eight. We are several years into that decade-long project, and once completed, it will create meaningful development opportunities for La Marque.

La Marque has more I-45 frontage than any other city in Galveston County, approximately 14.3 miles. We are about 18 miles south of Houston and just 4 miles north of Galveston. We also have access to Class I rail lines and deepwater ports. We are positioned in the middle of regional growth that has been steadily moving south from Houston for years, and that momentum has now reached us.

From a financial standpoint, La Marque has experienced record sales tax revenues for nine consecutive years, with each year surpassing the previous one. In Texas, sales tax is critical to municipal funding. Roughly half of the city’s revenue comes from sales tax, with the other half coming from property taxes. As sales tax grows, the city can reduce the tax burden on residents and businesses while still maintaining strong public services.

What are your main priorities this year for attracting and supporting business growth?

One of the most significant developments has been the creation of a new I-3 zoning designation, which allows for heavy industrial uses. Historically, La Marque has supported industrial-related businesses, but we did not have a zoning category to attract larger industrial operations directly. That changed last year when the City Council created the I-3 zone and later approved a rezone for approximately 410 acres on the east side of La Marque.

This opens a new chapter for the city. We are now positioned to recruit industrial users that can diversify and expand our tax base. Our focus is on thoughtful land planning and site preparation so that we are ready when those opportunities arise. Industrial recruitment is a major priority moving forward.

At the same time, we are continuing to see retail and residential growth. We identified numerous projects over the past year, and there are additional developments in progress that will be announced soon. This balanced growth strengthens the overall economic ecosystem.

How are you balancing new business attraction with retaining and supporting existing businesses?

Business retention and expansion are central to our strategy. Recruitment is important, but supporting the businesses that have already chosen La Marque is equally critical.

We launched a program called “Shine on La Marque,” which produces professionally shot and edited promotional videos for local businesses at no cost to them. We have created roughly 100 videos so far. These two-minute videos are optimized for social media and can be used by businesses to recruit customers or talent. It is a practical way to amplify their visibility and demonstrate that the city is invested in their success.

We also publish a quarterly newsletter highlighting new businesses and community developments. In addition, we conduct regular site visits to stay connected with business owners and understand their needs.

Another initiative is our partnership with the Texas City–La Marque Chamber of Commerce. We created a grant program that helps cover the first year of chamber membership for qualifying businesses. It supports networking, relationship-building, and long-term growth. Our neighboring city adopted a similar model shortly after we implemented ours, which reinforces the value of the approach.

How are you working with partners to support infrastructure and long-term development?

As our population has grown, infrastructure investment has become essential. Over the past decade, La Marque’s population has increased significantly, and that requires expansion of critical systems such as wastewater treatment. Recent upgrades have required tens of millions of dollars in investment.

Some infrastructure components fall under state or county authority. For example, the I-45 expansion is a state project led by TxDOT. Drainage systems are overseen by Galveston County Drainage District No. 2. That means coordination is key. We work closely with state and county partners, elected officials, and commissioners to ensure alignment.

When planning for growth projected through 2050, conversations around drainage, flood mitigation, and long-term resiliency are ongoing. We must ensure that infrastructure planning keeps pace with residential and industrial development.

What is your approach to workforce and talent development?

Workforce is fundamental to attracting industrial employers. Companies need assurance that skilled labor is available.

The Greater Houston region provides access to a large labor pool, but local partnerships are equally important. We work with Texas Workforce Solutions and leverage resources from the Office of the Governor. Educational institutions such as College of the Mainland play a critical role in developing certification programs aligned with employer needs.

La Marque is served by four school districts, including Texas City ISD, which operates an industrial trade center. Students can receive training in welding, maritime professions, and other skilled trades that are directly relevant to our regional economy. These pipelines strengthen our competitiveness.

We are also seeing efforts to address national skilled trade shortages. For example, College of the Mainland has invested in expanding plumbing certification programs in response to workforce gaps. We recognize that sustained growth depends on building and maintaining these talent pathways.

What should regional leaders and investors understand about La Marque’s direction?

La Marque offers a unique combination of access, resilience, and opportunity.

I-45 carries between 65,000 and 75,000 vehicles per day through our community. That level of exposure supports both retail and industrial investment. At the same time, we benefit from a hurricane protection levee system originally built to protect nearby industrial assets. During Hurricane Ike in 2008, the levee effectively stopped storm surge. During Hurricane Harvey, it enabled floodwaters to be pumped away efficiently. Compared with other communities in the county, La Marque experienced relatively limited structural damage.

For investors, resiliency matters. Being positioned near the Gulf Coast while mitigating risk through protective infrastructure adds value.

We are also preparing to announce a 200,000-square-foot retail development anchored by a major tenant and supported by several junior anchors and additional businesses. That project will generate significant sales tax revenue and further strengthen our commercial base.

When you combine location, available land, infrastructure investment, workforce partnerships, and resiliency, La Marque is positioned for its next phase of growth. La Marque’s best days are ahead, and we are focused on making sure we are ready to handle what comes next.