As East Montgomery County continues to grow, local officials are working to maintain the existing community while preparing for future development through a variety of tactics.

The overview: Locally, the East Montgomery County Improvement District launched a program to help business owners fund exterior improvement projects, while the Greater East Montgomery County Chamber’s new initiative awards property owners who already maintain exceptional curb appeal.

At the county level, Precinct 4 Commissioner Matt Gray said he has taken the lead on updating countywide development and drainage regulations in hopes of holding developers accountable while also protecting the investments and livelihoods of local residents.

Quote of note: “We’re head and shoulders growing faster than the other areas [of Montgomery County],” Gray said. “You can’t stop the growth and you can’t stop people from moving here, but what we can do is steer it and manage it and that’s the goal: to manage how we develop.”

Officials said each of these initiatives are working in tandem for the future of East Montgomery County.

Castle Hill Partners has broken ground on a new 5-acre amenity campus at The Trails, officials with the community developer announced in a Dec. 17 news release.

The overview: Per the release, the new amenity campus is expected to open in late 2026 and will be exclusively for residents of The Trails, a master-planned community located near the intersection of the Grand Parkway and Plum Grove Road in New Caney.

The details: The amenity campus will feature:

• The Landing, an indoor venue with seating areas, a kitchenette, restrooms, a dedicated space for the community's homeowners association offices and a spacious patio with seating and scenic views
• A resort-style pool with a connected lap pool
• A playground and a splash pad
• An outdoor event space that can host concerts and community gatherings
• Outdoor seating

Mike Holley began serving as Montgomery County’s new district attorney in late October, after being appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott on Oct. 29.

The background: Holley succeeds former DA Brett Ligon, who resigned from the position in early October to run for Texas Senate District 4—Brandon Crighton’s seat, which he vacated due to being named chancellor and CEO at Texas Tech University.

More details: In an interview with Community Impact, Holley discussed his career journey, his top priorities as the county’s new DA and the crime challenges he sees in Montgomery County. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Area residents ages 50 and older can explore everything from history and creative writing to hands-on hobbies through Lone Star College System’s Academy for Lifelong Learning, a low-cost program offering classes, activities and social connections across the system’s campuses, as stated in a Lone Star College Dec. 19 news release. 

Quote of note: "I have enjoyed the ALL courses tremendously, especially those that I have been able to attend remotely. I enjoy meeting other people and sharing ideas as well as learning new things,” LSC-Montgomery ALL member Frank Imburgio said. 

The details: The Academy for Lifelong Learning offers short, interest-based courses designed for older adults, with topics that range from Intro to Birding and History of Ancient Rome to Basics of Home Repair and Backyard Chicken Farming, according to the release. Other options include classes and activities such as Tai Chi for Beginners, Competitive Chair Volleyball, intermediate ceramics, French cooking and practical sessions like Travel on a Budget and Smart AI Skills for Seniors.