The Greater Houston Partnership celebrates our members making important announcements and sharing news about their operations and impact in our region. Learn more about some of those announcements over the last month below.  Business Moves (breaking ground, expansion, business’ moving to Houston) Axiom Space is designing a commercial space station to replace the International Space Station, and North Carolina-based Red Hat Inc. will partner for Axiom Space’s Data Center Unit-1 (AxDCU-1), which is set to launch this spring to the International Space Station. Houston-based restaurant group, Goode Company, has set an opening date for the newest location of its Goode Co. Kitchen & Cantina concept this spring, which will be located in the River Oaks Shopping Center. Griffin Partners, in partnership with Peakline Real Estate Funds, expects to break ground on Griffin 288/West Airport at 2218 Airport Blvd. in May. H-E-B is breaking ground in the city of Montgomery with a 127,186-square-foot store in August. NRG has reached a deal to buy six power-generation facilities from The Woodlands-based Rockland Capital LLC for $560 million, reinforcing their position as a leading generator in Texas. Rice University is preparing to break ground on the new Moody Center Complex for Student Life this spring, offering a new facility where students and the broader community can gather for events, performances and multicultural celebrations. Weaver has opened three offices in India this year and will open its fourth location in the country this month. Education BakerRipley is expanding its “Head Start” and “Early Head Start” programs in Fort Bend County, opening two new centers in the Missouri City area within the last year. Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce partners with local community colleges to apply for a state-funded grant intended to expand workforce training programs particularly in cybersecurity and tech training. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo plans to award more than $14.7 million to a total of 644 graduating high school seniors from the region. Rice University has established the Stinebaugh Family Financial Literacy Program after receiving a $3 million gift, focusing on financial planning and investing and will be open to both undergraduate and graduate students. Energy Transition  CenterPoint has surpassed a 50 percent completion milestone of its resiliency efforts, having installed 14,200 storm-resilient poles and more than 2,000 automated reliability devices, cleared 2,200 miles of vegetation and moved more than 280 miles of power lines underground. Chevron announced it is partnering with Massachusetts-based GE Vernova (NYSE: GEV) and activist investor Engine No. 1 to develop four gigawatts of natural gas-fired power plants to directly power data centers around the country. Health Care UTHealth is preparing to open the school's new $299 million research tower. The 10-story building broke ground in 2023 and is scheduled to be complete in 2026, with students set to move in that fall. Innovation  Houston Methodist Cypress is set to open a 570,000 square feet facility, concentrating on many technological innovations that Houston Methodist has been adding to its other hospitals in the Houston area to meet local care needs and expand capacity. Transportation  Sugar Land City Council approved a contract with River North Transit LLC for a microtransit pilot program, an on-demand ride share service offering affordable transportation in a limited service area.   If you are a member and want us to help communicate news about your organization, please send a press release or information about the announcement to member.engagement@houston.org and we will share it with our content team for possible inclusion in an upcoming roundup. Learn more about Partnership membership.

The Greater Houston Partnership welcomed 12 new member companies in the month of February. The Partnership works to connect companies with resources, information and networking opportunities to help increase business while also providing a platform to influence the direction of the region.  New members who joined in the month of February include: Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation: The Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation  is a charitable organization to improve the quality of life for Houston residents through the power of literacy. Website. Bon Appetit Management Company: Bon Appetit Management Company is an on-site restaurant company offering full food-service management to corporations, universities, museums, and specialty venues. Based in Palo Alto, CA, they operate more than 1,000 cafés in 33 states for dozens of marquee clients. Website. Conte Investments, Inc.: Conte Investments, Inc. is a private corporation specializing in commercial real estate development.  Energy Tech Nexus: Energy Tech Nexus is a Houston energy and carbontech startup ecosystem builder, empowering founders to grow personally and professionally, thereby driving business growth and accelerating the transition to a decarbonized future. Website. Freese and Nichols, Inc.: Freese and Nichols, Inc. is a professional planning, consulting and engineering firm, consulting civil engineers and offering a full range of municipal engineering and water resources services. Website. Goode Company Restaurants: Goode Company Restaurants is a family-owned and operated business, curating a blend of Texas culture and cuisine since 1977. Website. Houston Trust Company: Houston Trust Company is a trust and investment management services for individuals and families, focusing on superior personal service, competitive investment performance and flexibility in responding to specific client needs. Website. Medley, Inc.: Medley, Inc. is a public relations firm based in Houston, Texas, specializing in helping clients reach diverse markets through public relations, branding, digital media, and culturally competent storytelling. Website. National Center for Urban Solutions: National Center for Urban Solutions (NCUS) is a diversified social enterprise with an interdisciplinary approach to solving the needs of urban and underrepresented communities. Website. RINA: RINA specializes in testing, inspection, certification and engineering solutions across a wide range of markets including, among others, marine, energy, real estate, infrastructure and mobility, space and defense, industry 4.0. Website. Shah Smith & Associates, Inc.: Shah Smith & Associates is a consulting mechanical (HVAC), electrical, plumbing engineering firm specializing in design, construction management, commissioning of research, healthcare, higher education, K-12, aviation, governmental and public works facilities. Website. The Village Centers: The Village Centers is a disability services and support organization dedicated to serving the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families. Website. Click here to see the Partnership's Membership Directory.   To learn more about membership with the Greater Houston Partnership click here, or contact membership@houston.org.