Connecting West Houston to the World

The Katy Area Economic Development Council, in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), AECOM, and industry leaders across the Fort Bend, Harris, and Waller tri-county region, is leading an initiative to establish a premier inland port along the West Houston I-10 Corridor.

What Is an Inland Port?

An inland port is a master-planned logistics and distribution hub located away from the coastline that connects rail, highways, warehousing, manufacturing, and intermodal transportation into a single, efficient freight network. Successful inland ports — like the Dallas-Fort Worth model — combine strategic transportation access, strong public-private partnerships, and long-term regional planning to attract major employers and drive economic growth.

West Houston?

The West Houston I-10 Corridor is uniquely positioned to become one of the most strategically
important inland logistics and industrial growth corridors in Texas, thanks to:
• Direct access to Port Houston and its container and cargo network
• Proximity to Mexico trade corridors and growing nearshoring activity
• Major interstate connectivity via I-10, I-45, I-69, and the Grand Parkway
• Established Union Pacific rail infrastructure with room to grow
• A strong petrochemical, energy, and advanced manufacturing base
• A growing regional workforce and population base

Our Vision

By aligning infrastructure investment, workforce development, transportation planning, and
regional collaboration, this initiative aims to position the Katy area and the broader West
Houston region as a premier inland logistics gateway — drawing distribution and logistics
companies, advanced manufacturers, e-commerce fulfillment operations, and international trade
partners to our region for decades to come.

What This Means for Our Region

 Create thousands of new jobs
• Expand the regional tax base
• Attract major industrial and logistics investment
• Strengthen regional supply chains
• Drive critical improvements to local roads, rail, and mobility infrastructure

Get Involved

This is a regional effort, and it depends on collaboration among counties, cities, transportation agencies, workforce partners, and private industry. Contact us to learn how your organization can be part of shaping West Houston's future as a logistics and manufacturing hub.