New development expected to boost commerce, tourism, and entertainment

A major new convention center is officially under construction in New Caney, Texas, a fast-growing community located north of Houston. Spanning 210,000 square feet, the new venue is set to become the seventh-largest convention center in Texas, further positioning the area as a hub for business, tourism, and entertainment.

A Major Addition to Valley Ranch

The convention center will be situated near Grand Parkway 99 and Interstate 69, within Valley Ranch, a master-planned community developed by The Signorelli Company. Valley Ranch is already home to more than 2,000 single-family and multifamily residences, with additional residential and commercial growth in the pipeline.

The East Montgomery County Improvement District (EMCID), which acquired the nine-acre site, is leading the development efforts, marking a significant milestone in its long-term vision for economic expansion.

"This convention center is a game-changer for Valley Ranch and a pivotal anchor in the Entertainment District," said Danny Signorelli, CEO of The Signorelli Company. "With nearly 200 acres of active and planned development, this venue will be a major driver of foot traffic, fueling demand for more dining, retail, and entertainment offerings. It also enhances the appeal of Valley Ranch as a corporate destination, offering companies a strategic, highly connected location with unmatched live-work-play amenities."

Projected Economic Impact

According to a study by the EMCID, the new convention center is expected to generate nearly $1.73 billion in economic impact over the next 30 years. The district also estimates it will bring in approximately $35.1 million in sales, hotel, and venue taxes, further strengthening the local economy.

In an interview with Chron, Patrick Stites, vice president of commercial development at The Signorelli Company, emphasized the project's broader vision:

"We're doing placemaking retail, we're doing multifamily, we're doing residential and development of a convention center. It's a holistic approach for us. It makes it a premier place to do business in Houston, be it in a large modernized facility, the number seven in Texas and complimentary to our other uses," Stites said.

How It Stacks Up Against Other Texas Convention Centers

Once complete, the New Caney convention center will rank seventh in size among Texas' largest convention centers, sitting between the Amarillo Civic Center and Auditorium (300,000 sq. ft.) and the Dallas Market Center (200,000 sq. ft.). The largest convention center in the state is the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, which spans more than 1 million square feet.

Largest Convention Centers in Texas

1. Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas – 1,035,945 sq. ft.
2. George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston – 869,581 sq. ft.
3. NRG Center, Houston – 706,213 sq. ft.
4. Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio – 514,000 sq. ft.
5. Austin Convention Center, Austin – 370,967 sq. ft.
6. Fort Worth Convention Center, Fort Worth – 340,235 sq. ft.
7. New Caney Convention Center – 210,000 sq. ft. (estimated size)
8. Dallas Market Center, Dallas – 200,000 sq. ft.
9. McAllen Convention Center, McAllen – 174,000 sq. ft.
10. Alamodome, San Antonio – 160,000 sq. ft.

Part of a Larger Growth Strategy

The convention center is just one of several key developments underway in Valley Ranch. Signorelli recently unveiled The Marketplace at Valley Ranch, a 115-acre upscale shopping district designed to bring "the next generation of retailers," according to Stites.

In addition, the broader Entertainment District will now encompass a total of 425,000 square feet of attractions, including:

• A 40,000-square-foot Cinemark Theatre
• Lumos, a 45,000-square-foot high-tech entertainment venue opening in Spring 2025
• Randall Reed Stadium
• New Caney ISD Natatorium
• Hope Media Group's corporate headquarters and broadcast studios

"We're anticipating [the convention center] is going to drive a tremendous amount of traffic into the community, and once we get them into the community, we already have shopping, dining, entertainment, housing options for them," Stites said.

A Transformational Project for the Region

With the rapid growth of New Caney and the continued expansion of Valley Ranch, the new convention center is expected to play a vital role in shaping the future of the region. By attracting major events, conferences, and corporate gatherings, the project aims to position East Montgomery County as a key player in Texas' business and tourism landscape.

Originally reported by Janet Miranda in Chron.