Missouri City has double digit commercial growth, says Mayor city will “have a significant bond issue on the ballot for necessary improvements throughout the city.” He said the bond exploratory committee made up of residents from all over the community is deciding what the bonds will pay for. “There are now $27 million authorized in bonds that will be used for drainage projects citywide. The bond issue next year will build on previous referendums and benefit the city over the next decade,” he said.
He then thanked Bob Graf, the economic development director of Missouri City who got the ball rolling and who is retiring at the end of June. “You’ve worked with half of the people in this room and the school district, the water district, the county. It was your leadership that has directed us and guided us through all that growth,” Owen told Graf. The mayor noted that the city’s $50 million wastewater and fresh water treatment plant is up
and running. “This program started 12 years ago and we now have it in place and it holds 100 million gallons of water. There were 40 different partners in this. “We have so many MUDS (municipal utility districts) that I jokingly call Missouri City the MUD capital of the world but it took all the MUDs, the county and FBISD working together” to make the plan a reality. He then went on to talk about mobility and how he will continue
to work to get a commuter rail line to his town, how the esplanades along Hwy. 6 may not be liked by motorists but are necessary for safety, how much the public likes the blinking yellow lights that are turn signals and noted that Missouri City and Stafford now share a new and larger animal shelter. “Our main priority are our citizens and our community partnership,” Owen said.
Niagara Bottling Company Holds Grand Opening and Open House at New Plant in Missouri City Niagara Bottling Company, the second largest private label bottling company in the United States and officials with the City of Missouri City hosted an invitation-only Grand Opening and Open House at the 356,000 square foot manufacturing and distribution center in Missouri City, located at 14810 Fairway Pines in Lakeview Business Park. The event was held on Friday, July 12, as Niagara officially “opened for
business” in the “Show Me City.” The high-stepping Mighty Eagle Band from Willowridge High School performed at the Grand Opening, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the new facility by area dignitaries and Niagara Bottling Company representatives. About 125 people attended the Grand Opening and Open House, held under large tents outside the facility and were served a
Willowridge High School Marching Band provided entertainment for the grand opening at Niagara Bottling Co. 16
Houston Business Connections
delicious lunch of steak wrapped in bacon, chicken, sausage, rice, mashed potatoes and dessert. Attendees were invited to tour the plant and see the latest technology inside its walls. According to Niagara officials, the plant has a capacity to make 1350 water bottles a minute, 81,000 bottles an hour and 2.3 to 2.5 million bottles each day. The company makes its own water bottles, which are distributed nationwide under several brand names and Niagara’s private label bottled water. Mayor Allen Owen stated that Missouri City is proud to be chosen as the location for the new state-ofthe art bottling company that has been in operation for 50 years, with Missouri City as the location for the company’s 12th plant. Mayor Owen also praised members of Missouri City’s team responsible for bringing the plant to the “Show Me City,” including City Manager Ed Broussard, Assistant City Manager Scott Elmer and Economic Development Coordinator Bob Graf. “We’re behind you 100 per-
cent,” said Owen, “We had to compete against different states and cities to get you here and we wanted to show you what the “Show Me City” can do. For many years Missouri City was a bedroom community. Your business is something we’ve wanted for a long time, and provides a workplace and jobs for our residents.” He continued, “I love seeing Missouri City on your water bottles. When Costco opens its new store in Sugar Land, it will be selling Niagara water, so the people in Sugar Land can drink Missouri City water.” Niagara Bottling Company President Andrew Peykoff the Second spoke about his father, who founded the company. “My father, Andy Peykoff, Senior, came to the United States from Macedonia in 1963 when he was 25 years old and settled in California. He began his career as a milkman and later became a water man. After the business got off the ground, one of his sons went doorto-door selling water, and the company has grown from those humble beginnings.”