Community Profile

Infrastructure

The Woodlands Area is rapidly developing and the growing population is well served by sophisticated public works and transportation services. The EDP and the Chamber of Commerce are very active in efforts to improve transportation, which is critical for the business and residential communities of The Woodlands Area. Due to such close proximity to Houston, The Woodlands Area is home to all major modes of transportation.

Airports

George Bush Intercontinental Airport is the 10^th busiest airport in the US, located just 15 miles south of The Woodlands Area.

Lone Star Executive Airport in Conroe, Texas just opened a luxurious FBO terminal to accommodate the large influx of business travelers to Montgomery County. The 45,000 square foot Galaxy FBO terminal is an impressive gateway to north Houston, boasting the impressive Black Walnut Café and 100,000 square feet of hangar space.

Highways

Montgomery County rests upon two main north/south arteries: I-45 and the Hardy Toll Road. The new East/West Grand Parkway is underway now, with a phased completion beginning in early 2015 until 2020.

Shipping Port

The Port of Houston is consistently ranked first in the United States in foreign waterborne commerce, U.S. imports and export tonnage. It is also the nation's leading break-bulk post, handling 65% of all major U.S. project cargo.

Heliport

The Woodlands Heliport is located in Oak Ridge North, just 3 miles from The Woodlands Town Center. The FAA-approved heliport is serviced by Galaxy FBO and features a 80 feet by 80 feet concrete pad and hangar space for helicopter storage.

Public Transportation

Metro Park & Ride, also known as The Woodlands Express, offers parking and a shuttle to all major Houston bus routes. The Brazos Transit District operates three $12 round trip Park & Ride options in The Woodlands Area:

Research Park & Ride- 3900 Marisco Place
Sawdust Park & Ride- 701 Westridge
Sterling Ridge Park & Ride- 8001 McBeth Way

The Woodlands Waterway Trolley service connects The Woodlands Mall, Market Street, businesses and residences along The Woodlands Waterway. Transit users include employees, residents and visitors to the numerous retail and office locations throughout the Town Center area.

Public Safety

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Department provides crime prevention services for The Woodlands, while the Shenandoah Police Department and the Oak Ridge North Police Department service their respective areas.

Within The Woodlands Town Center, the Alpha & Omega Mounted Patrol are a welcome presence that augments security patrols. In addition to an enhanced level of security, they are excellent goodwill ambassadors.

Fire and EMS

The Woodlands Fire Department has the highest ISO rating possible, which lowers insurance rates for residents and businesses. Their eight stations serve fire and EMS needs in The Woodlands Area.

The Montgomery County Hospital District services the entire county with over 22 ambulances strategically placed throughout the county.

Communications

The Montgomery County Communication Center serves the entire county with emergency response, dispatches for more than 30 law enforcement agencies and houses the Texas Crime and Information Center / National Crime and Information Center (TCIC/NCIC ) computer system.

Within commutable distance (20 mile radius) of The Woodlands Area, there is a civilian labor force of more than half a million people. This abundance of educated, motivated and productive people – many of whom would prefer to work in the same community in which they live – provides local employers with excellent workforce opportunities.

Lone Star Corporate College partners with global corporations to provide customized training, open enrollment courses and professional seminars. Lone Star Corporate College is committed to building tomorrow's workforce by analyzing goals and developing training to advance a business's most important asset: human capital.

LABOR MARKET STATISTICS

Lone Star College - Montgomery

Part of the Lone Star College System, Lone Star College - Montgomery offers two-year associate degrees and academic transfer courses as well as certificates in career programs.

Lone Star College - University Center

Located adjacent to the Lone Star College - Montgomery campus, the Lone Star College - University Center is a partnership of four Texas universities and the Lone Star College System that offers area students the opportunity to receive bachelor's and master's degrees without leaving the area. The participating universities are Our Lady of the Lake University, University of Houston-Victoria, Sam Houston State University and University of St. Thomas.

Sam Houston State University - The Woodlands Center

With a state-of-the-art facility opened in 2012, Sam Houston State University – The Woodlands Center offers a location that is accessible, convenient and provides a high quality education close to home, while you pursue your upper-division bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree.