Rob Tobias
Rob Tobias, a former Greater Houston Partnership official, has joined the management team of the City of Richmond as the Director of Economic Development. According to the City Manager Terri Vela, “Tobias will work to attract new capital investments and jobs, which will lay the foundation for increased prosperity and growth for the City of Richmond.”
Tobias brings over 20 years of economic development experience that started at the Partnership, plus some Corporate America experience with Southwestern Bell and Conoco. He has worked for both large and small cities and has a strong track record of success at attracting industry, commercial and retail to each of the communities in which he has worked. Tobias noted that recent changes in the City’s governance structure has opened the door to begin to more effectively plan and prepare for the attraction of higher quality investment and higher-skilled jobs to Richmond’s ETJ and Historic Downtown. “Richmond and other Fort Bend County communities and Economic Development organizations are already working in close collaboration, and if we do our job right, the City will realize significantly more property and sales taxes, as well as more tourism revenues over the next five years. After all, Richmond is the county seat of Fort Bend County, and the Brazos River is in its back yard. With these unique advantages, coupled with I-69, SH-99 and other public and private infrastructure at its doorstep, Richmond has many opportunities to explore.”
Richmond officials are excited about having Tobias on the staff, as he has relationships from throughout the state that could add significant value to the City’s emerging economic development program. The 4B Corporation created by the City in 1995 has also been frugal and has reserves that will be leveraged to partner in the attraction of new investments and high quality, higher-paying jobs.
Tobias noted that Richmond is blessed by its strategic location in Fort Bend County, having two local foundations in the City, and an emerging vision to build upon the City’s historic background, balanced with quality growth. Richmond is truly “where history meets opportunity.”