HTX-SLM: Impact 10/29/2025

Missouri City and Fort Bend County officials are partnering to enhance two roads in the city.

Zooming in: At an Oct. 20 meeting, Missouri City City Council unanimously approved two interlocal agreements with the county— totaling $4.5 million—for design and construction improvements on Glenn Lakes Lane and Knights Court.

According to agenda documents, improvements will include:
1. Glenn Lakes Lane improvements

• Project scope: rehabilitation and construction from Ridgeview Drive to Community Park Drive as needed until full reconstruction is funded
• County contribution: $3 million

• Project scope: create a middle turn lane from Hwy. 6 to Thompson Ferry Road, add a left-turn lane at Hwy. 6 and a mast arm signal at Hwy. 6
• County contribution: $1.5 million

The Sam’s Club in Stafford reopened Oct. 24 following a series of upgrades aimed at enhancing the shopping experience, officials confirmed.

The details: The Stafford location was one of six locations—including Denton, Fort Worth and Plano—that received remodels, according to the company's website. The stores remained opened during the remodeling process, which featured several upgrades including faster checkout lanes.

What they offer: The location offers a pharmacy, a café, fuel station, auto and tire center, wireless mobile center, hearing aid center and optical center, per the website.

• 12300 Southwest Freeway, Stafford

TDECU—Houston’s largest credit union—and Smart Financial Credit Union—one of the city’s oldest—announced plans to merge, according to an Oct. 22 news release, combining their legacies under a shared mission to strengthen communities and expand member opportunities.

Marking a milestone: Pending regulatory approval and a member vote by Smart Financial, the merger is expected to be finalized in early 2026. The combined credit union will hold nearly $6 billion in assets and serve more than 460,000 members across Texas through a network of 48 branches, per the release.

TDECU President and CEO Isaac Johnson will lead the merged organization, while Smart Financial CEO LeAnn Kaczynski will serve as chief integration officer for one year to oversee the transition.

Also of note: TDECU’s ties with the University of Houston, Houston Texans and Buc-ee’s will join Smart Financial’s work with Smart Financial Centre and local charities through the Smart Financial Foundation.

Members of both institutions will see no immediate changes to accounts or services during the transition, according to the release.

YES Prep Public Schools has launched a new four-year, $80 million campaign dubbed “The Power of YES," officials announced in an Oct. 23 news release.

The gist: The campaign will allow the Houston charter school system to invest in technology and facilities while working toward becoming an "A"-rated district. Per the release, the initiative will:

• Add 5,000 new school seats
• Complete YES Prep’s full pre-K-12 feeder pattern
• Fund the construction of six new schools
• Rebuild three of YES Prep’s oldest campuses
• Invest in innovative programs, bilingual education and tools that prepare students for college, careers and leadership