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New retail center still awaiting permits in Porter

Construction has been delayed while permits are pending on a retail shopping center in Porter, a spokesperson for the project confirmed Aug. 18.

How we got here: The retail center is expected to bring fast food options, a fitness center and medical clinics to Porter, as previously reported by Community Impact. Construction was originally estimated to begin this summer, but is now expected to begin in the spring of 2027.

What else? The retail center, tentatively dubbed FM 1314 Mills Road Retail, will include three buildings ranging from 14,000-21,200 square feet, for a combined total space of about 55,600 square feet, according to Jan. 30 filings with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Work is slated to wrap up on the retail center by June 2027.

  • Opening date TBD
  • 23221 FM 1314, Porter; 23227 FM 1314, Porter; 23233 FM 1314, Porter
 
Latest Education News
Check out these 7 New Caney ISD bond project updates

Multiple New Caney ISD projects funded by the district's $695 million bond package, which was approved by voters in May 2023, have recent updates. 

New Caney Elementary School replacement campus
Project: The new 110,000-square-foot facility replaced New Caney Elementary School’s old campus, which was located at 20501 FM 1485, New Caney.
Update: The project was completed in June, before Aug. 6, when students returned for the 2026-27 school year, said Scott Powers, NCISD’s executive director of public relations, via email Aug. 17.

Pine Valley Middle School renovations
Project: New paint, flooring and vestibules were added to the campus, Superintendent Matt Calvert said during NCISD board of trustees’ July 20 regular meeting. Updates for the administration spaces and new heating, ventilation and air conditioning units were also included in the remodel, as previously reported by Community Impact.
Update: Most of the project was completed by Aug. 3, before students returned for the 2026-27 school year Aug. 6, Powers said.

 

Beyond the classroom: How policy shifts, budget strains are reshaping Houston-area public schools

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On The Transportation Beat
Disney-built subway at George Bush Intercontinental Airport celebrates 45 years of service

The subway at George Bush Intercontinental Airport—designed by Disney engineers using the same technology used in Disneyland—recently celebrated 45 years of service, per an Aug. 3 news release from the Houston Airport System.

How it happened: The airport was expanding heavily in the 1970s, as was Disney’s linear induction motor technology for transportation across the Disneyland theme park. Per the release, the company was looking into expanding the use of its technologies at other facilities, which is when they set eyes on IAH.

Disney eventually put a successful bid in for the project in 1979, with construction ending and the subway opening in 1981. Per the release, Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck attended the grand opening, marking the occasion with a Disney touch.

The bottom line: IAH saw 12.4 million international passengers in 2025, with the Disney transit system serving over 3.3 million passengers. Houston Airport System officials said the foundation of that travel around the terminals can be attributed to Disney’s technology and some "Disney magic."
 

Your Weekend To-Do List

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

Dueling Pianos Night

High Caliber Gun Show

Aug. 21, 7 p.m.
8502 Rio Grande St., Jersey Village

Aug. 22-23, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
9055 Airport Road, Conroe

See more

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100-year celebration

Matcha and Pilates Market

Aug. 22, 12-4 p.m.
550 McKinney St., Houston

Aug. 22, 2-8 p.m.
2711 Plaza Drive, Sugar Land

See more

See more

 
To submit your own event, click here.

Statewide News
Live updates: ERCOT will complete data center audit in late 2026, officials say

The Texas House State Affairs Committee heard from power grid officials; data center developers and industry representatives; local government officials; cybersecurity experts; and utility companies during an Aug. 19 hearing on the growth of data centers in the state. Dozens of Texas residents also testified about the impact of data centers in their communities.

The details: Pablo Vegas, CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, said it will take the grid operator several months to audit about 200 gigawatts of data center proposals. ERCOT will request information from all large and medium-sized data centers that are expected to use at least 25 megawatts of electricity.

ERCOT and the Public Utility Commission were ordered on Aug. 3 to audit all data centers seeking to connect to Texas’ power grid. They anticipate completing that audit in late November or early December, Vegas said.

 

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Hannah Brol
Senior Editor

Kim Sommers
General Manager

Email [email protected] for story ideas, tips or questions.

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