Real estate developer The Signorelli Company is now leasing retail and office space at its planned 20-acre social hub located in the upcoming Marketplace district at Valley Ranch in New Caney, officials announced in a Feb. 16 news release.

The details: Dubbed “The Village Green,” the development will consist of 190,000 square feet of retail space and 40,000 square feet of office space that officials from The Signorelli Company said they envision as a mix of regional and national retailers, alongside "aspirational brands," according to the release.

Officials noted that The Village Green features will be connected by walkable pathways and bike-friendly lanes, allowing visitors to move about easily, per the release.

What’s next: Construction on The Marketplace at Valley Ranch is scheduled to begin this summer, with the first buildings expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2027.

Check out what's happening in New Caney and Porter from Feb. 19-24. This list is not comprehensive. Events are subject to change.

Valley Ranch Round Up: Valley Ranch invites families for an afternoon of Western-themed excitement with an event featuring live music, a Western photo-op, a petting zoo, face painting, a balloon twister and a mechanical bull.

• Feb. 20, 3-6 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• 11985 N. Grand Parkway E., New Caney

• Feb. 20, 6-11 p.m.
• $150 (individual admission)
• The Atrium Center, 21575 Hwy 59 N., New Caney

• Feb. 23, 6-9 p.m.
• $25 (individual ticket), $200 (table of eight)
• The Nathaniel Center, 804 Russell Palmer, Kingwood

Lone Star College System will be opening applications later this spring for a new bachelor’s degree in education.

The big picture: The Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education and Teaching will be available this fall at the LSC-Atascocita Center in northeast Houston and the LSC-Creekside Center in Tomball. Students can graduate from the two-year program as teachers certified in early childhood education-third grade or early childhood education-sixth grade.

What they're saying: “We want our local schools to be staffed by highly qualified, compassionate teachers who are prepared to meet their students’ unique learning needs,” said Rebecca Saiz, LSCS executive director of the Educator Preparation Program.

Community members and leaders gathered Feb. 6 to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Habitat for Humanity MCTX ReStore off Hwy. 242. 

The details: The ReStore sells donated furniture, appliances and home improvement items, with proceeds helping fund local homebuilding and repair efforts.  Executive Director Rhonda Darby told attendees that “every time you shop, donate or volunteer,” those dollars are turned into “real impact” for local families needing stable housing.

Board leaders also pointed to Habitat’s neighborhood footprint in Conroe, including the Cedar Creek neighborhood—described as 37 acres with 129 Habitat-built homes—and the Marble Creek project in Magnolia, an 81-acre development planned for more than 200 homes.

• 9407 Hwy. 242, Conroe

Thousands of students who apply for Texas’ education savings accounts will likely not be accepted into the first year of the program, application data from the state comptroller’s office shows.

What's happening: Over 101,000 students had applied for Texas Education Freedom Accounts as of Feb. 15. Applications close at 11:59 p.m. March 17.

Program funding is capped at $1 billion for the 2026-27 school year, meaning between 90,000 and 100,000 students will likely be accepted. With demand expected to outpace available funding, applications will be prioritized through a need- and income-based lottery system.

Zooming in: Over 70% of program applicants were from low- or middle-income households, according to data from the comptroller’s office. Under Senate Bill 2, the 2025 law that created the program:

• “Low-income” is defined as families with annual household incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty line, or about $66,000 for a family of four.
• “Middle-income” is defined as families with incomes at or below 500% of the federal poverty line, or about $165,000 for a family of four.