Christian Brothers Automotive Breaks Ground on $12M Katy Training Center as Skilled Trades Demand Continues to Grow
A major workforce development project officially moved from vision to construction this week in Katy, as Christian Brothers Automotive broke ground on its new $12 million Mark A. Carr Technology & Training Center near Katy Mills.
For Katy-area residents, the project represents more than another corporate expansion. It signals continued investment in skilled trades education, technician development, and long-term job growth in one of the fastest-growing regions in Greater Houston.
The Houston-based automotive repair franchise announced Tuesday that construction is now underway on the nearly 14,000-square-foot facility at 25801 Nelson Way in Katy. The center is projected to open in early 2027 and will serve as the company’s national hub for technical instruction, leadership development, and customer service training.
As workforce shortages continue to challenge the automotive repair industry nationwide, the new Katy campus places Greater Houston at the center of a broader conversation about how companies are preparing the next generation of technicians for increasingly advanced vehicle technologies.
A Long-Term Investment in Automotive Workforce Development
Christian Brothers Automotive first announced plans for the training center in 2025. Tuesday’s groundbreaking ceremony marks the next major milestone in bringing the project to life.
The facility, named after founder Mark A. Carr, is designed to support technicians at every stage of their careers — from apprenticeship-level learning to advanced training in electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid systems, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).
“This training center is about far more than a building – it's about investing in the long-term success of our team members and franchisees,” said Michael Suttle, Chief Development Officer of Christian Brothers Automotive. “Breaking ground is an exciting moment because it reflects years of listening, planning and commitment to creating meaningful career paths and elevating the skilled trades.”
According to the company, the training center will feature multiple classrooms, vehicle-accessible learning environments, and a fully equipped advanced automotive shop outfitted with original equipment-level diagnostic tools and technology.
For an industry navigating rapid technological change, the investment reflects how automotive repair businesses are adapting to evolving vehicles that increasingly rely on software, sensors, battery systems, and digital diagnostics.
Why This Matters for Katy and Greater Houston
The groundbreaking also reinforces Katy’s growing role as a regional center for business expansion and workforce training.
Over the past decade, the Katy area has attracted a steady stream of corporate relocations, industrial development, and educational investment. Christian Brothers Automotive’s decision to establish a centralized national training hub in the area adds another layer to that economic evolution.
Beyond construction activity and future employment opportunities, the project may also strengthen local workforce pipelines already developing through area schools and technical education programs.
Katy ISD’s Miller Career & Technology Center currently offers automotive technology pathways that prepare students for industry certifications and careers in vehicle diagnostics and repair. Facilities like the new CBA training center could further expand opportunities for graduates seeking hands-on advancement within the skilled trades sector.
The automotive technician shortage remains a significant national issue. Industry workforce studies have repeatedly shown demand outpacing supply as experienced technicians retire and modern vehicles require increasingly specialized expertise.
By expanding its internal training capabilities, Christian Brothers Automotive says it hopes to improve technician readiness, shop performance, and consistency across its growing national network.
Honoring a Founder’s Legacy
Company leaders also framed the project as a continuation of the culture established by founder Mark Carr, who launched Christian Brothers Automotive in Mission Bend in 1982.
“This center is deeply personal for our family and our brand. My dad, Mark Carr, built Christian Brothers Automotive on a simple but powerful belief to invest in people and do the right thing, always,” said Donnie Carr, President and CEO of CBA. “Naming this facility in his honor is a reflection of that legacy, and this investment ensures his vision continues to guide how we develop our technicians, support our franchisees and serve our communities for generations to come.”
Today, Christian Brothers Automotive operates more than 335 locations across 31 states and has become one of the nation’s largest faith-based automotive service franchises.
The company has also received repeated recognition from J.D. Power in its Aftermarket Service Index studies for customer satisfaction among full-service maintenance and repair providers.
Corporate Relocation Plans Could Further Expand Katy Presence
The training center may also become the foundation for a larger long-term corporate presence in Katy.
Christian Brothers Automotive stated that the Nelson Way campus represents only the first phase of a broader vision that could eventually bring the company’s corporate Support Center from Houston’s Energy Corridor to the same site.
If completed, the move would consolidate operations into a unified headquarters designed to support future franchise growth and collaboration.
That potential expansion could further strengthen Katy’s reputation as a destination for corporate investment while adding additional professional employment opportunities to the area.
What Happens Next
Construction on the Mark A. Carr Technology & Training Center is now underway, with completion expected in early 2027.
As the project progresses, local residents may begin seeing increased development activity around the Nelson Way corridor near Katy Mills. The facility is expected to become a central training destination for Christian Brothers Automotive employees and franchisees from across the country.
For Katy, the project reflects a broader trend shaping much of West Houston: the intersection of business growth, workforce development, and investment in career pathways outside traditional four-year degree models.
And as industries continue searching for skilled labor solutions, projects like this may increasingly influence how communities prepare residents for the next generation of technical careers.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for continued coverage of Katy business development, workforce initiatives, and community growth across Greater Houston.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.