Sugar Land Biz Round-Up

Sugar Land, TX -- Unemployment remained stable in May while the state sales tax payment to the city dropped slightly, according to statements from the Texas Workforce Commission and Texas Comptroller, respectively.

Sugar Land's unemployment rate was 3.7 percent last month, it's been hovering around 3.5 percent for the last 12 months. Although the unemployment rate did see the annual summer spikes in June and July of last year and the seasonal drop in December.

Sugar Land received a monthly sales tax payment of $4.3 million from the state comptroller's office, the payment was down about 2 percent from the same time last year. Sugar Land's sales tax payments are up about 3 percent, totaling $27.09 million, for the year.

Two large employers also announced major real estate developments recently. Dishaka, a full service food manufacturer and distributor, broke ground on a new facility in Stafford.

When complete, the facility will be 185,000 square-feet and represent a $20 million capital investment. The new building is expected to generate 300 new jobs in the area by the end of 2019.

Heavy Construction Systems Specialists (HCSS) has finished moving into its new headquarters on West Airport boulevard.

Although the 15,400 square-foot building features a contemporary pod design with the various pods connected to an open lounge, most visitors will focus on the climbing rope net in the lobby and the adult-size slide in the hall.