Management districts in Spring Branch and East Aldine are the only two in the state to receive 2022 Economic Recognition Awards from the Texas Economic Development Council.

The awards were presented Feb. 24 at the TEDC’s 2023 Legislative Conference in Austin.

The Spring Branch Management District and East Aldine Management District and now won the award for the second year in row. They are clients of Houston-based Hawes Hill and Associates LLP, whose employee Lance Dean serves as economic development director for both districts.

The Spring Branch District’s recent initiatives include providing grants to qualified businesses for improvement to their facility exteriors or teardown of their subpar properties.

With public safety serving as a bedrock of economic development, both districts fund exclusive patrol services and graffiti and litter abatement in their services areas, among other things.

Management districts are economic development government agencies formed under state law.

The non-profit TEDC said the awards provide “recognition to economic development organizations that meet a desired threshold of professionalism.”

“Recipients qualify for recognition based on training taken by their governing board/council as well as the economic development director and  professional staff,” the TEDC said. “Certifications, professional memberships and activities, and organizational effectiveness of  the economic development staff also contribute to the standards for qualification.
“The Spring Branch Manage District is grateful for this award from the TEDC,” district board chair Pat Maddox said. “It reaffirms our commitment to our service plan to provide the necessary tools to encourage and facilitate economic development in our community. We recognize it takes the dedication and expertise of our team, staff and board, to ensure the success of our plan.”

The other 52 award recipients included the City of League City and economic development corporations in municipalities such as Sugar Land, New Braunfels and Amarillo.

The Texas Economic Development Council, established in 1961, is an Austin-based, statewide, non-profit  professional association dedicated to the development of economic and employment opportunities in Texas. The TEDC provides information, educational and legislative services to more than 950 members. The  organization’s objective is to support the economic growth of Texas and develop strategies that promote a positive business climate in the state.