Katie Britt
VP of Marketing & Economic Development
The Economic Development Alliance for Brazoria County
Angleton, TX

How long have you worked in economic development?

4.5 years

How did you enter the economic development profession?

I joined the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce and the 4a EDC contracted us to do economic development for the city. My job was marketing toward that need. Through years of training, I discovered a passion for building stronger communities and the processes involved in making that happen.

What is your favorite thing about working in economic development?

My favorite thing about this profession is watching the dial move in a community. The first groundbreaking, ribbon cutting, announcement, etc. They all have an exciting way of sparking a flame. It's up to us to turn it into a blaze.

Tell us about the community or organization you represent.

The Alliance is a non-profit membership organization. Our members are the industry leaders, educators, and developers in Brazoria County (southwest of Houston). We represent the county as a whole and connect tax abatements and other incentives to prospective businesses and work with existing businesses on opportunity areas as they arise.

What makes your community a great place for business and people to thrive? If you don’t represent a community, how do you help economic development organizations succeed?

Brazoria County is well suited for growth from Houston. The petrochemical plants (and others) at the Gulf coast (Freeport) already attract workers from the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land MSAs and housing is catching up. There are 2 colleges in the county and both work closely with our industry to fuel the talent pipeline and upskill workers. Families will thrive here with safety, outdoor activities, top-notch schools, and the coastal way of life next to the big city.

Tell us about your favorite place/thing to do in your community.

I'm new in this community - but so far - the FOOD! It's a good thing seafood is my favorite kind - and there are plenty of sushi places and the fish selections are amazing. There is a fun little restaurant on the intercoastal highway in Freeport called Dorado's. It's multi-tiered and sits right on the water. Some people drop a line in the water, some watch the intercoastal Loopers make their way to the plants, and others dock their boats and stop in for a quick lunch. The last time I went, they were cooking crawfish in the parking lot and it just felt like home.

If you had a message to those considering a career in economic development, what would it be and why should they enter the field?

When it comes to advice - the only piece I have is this...patience. Deals don't happen overnight. You're always playing the long game and you'll always be engaged in the "what came first, the chicken or the egg" debate when it comes to growth. Take a deep breath, keep educating your communities on what this elusive "economic development" is all about, and smile.