The Greater Houston Partnership received a 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Bronze Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The award was bestowed specifically for the Partnership’s work in the regional or cross-border partnership for regions with 500,000 or more residents.  The strategy formed in partnership with regional allies, as elaborated in the regional playbook, aims to enhance regional economic development in greater Houston by fostering collaboration and coordination among stakeholders. This involved creating a framework for the Houston Regional Economic Development Alliance (HREDA) to maximize engagement and support.  Formed in 2006, HREDA is comprised of economic development organizations and municipalities interested in creating jobs and investment to maintain a positive business environment. HREDA meets monthly at Partnership Tower, and often at other locations around the region. Hosted monthly at Partnership Tower and other regional sites, HREDA meetings include members from 98 economic development organizations, representing over 160 full-time economic development professionals.  The project's uniqueness and innovation reside in member involvement at every stage, ensuring ownership of the final playbook. It addressed previous collaboration deficits noted in studies, aiming to leverage regional resources for economic growth. The scale of marketing the region is no small feat. Covering 8,838 square miles, the 12-county Greater Houston region, with its centerpiece, the 10-county Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands MSA, surpasses an area the size of New Jersey,  Despite this vast expanse, the region's stakeholders have rallied together as allies, streamlining processes to attract prospective companies. This collective effort reflects a shared commitment to securing victories for the region's economic growth. “I am proud to be a part of an organization, such as HREDA, that exemplifies how regionalism and collaboration can drive economic success and set high standards for regional development,” HREDA Chair and Chief Economic Development Officer at Partnership Lake Houston Stephanie Wiggins said. “By uniting various stakeholders under a common goal, HREDA leverages the strengths of the Houston region to create a prosperous and sustainable economic environment." Every year IEDC looks specifically for economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that have demonstrated consistent, exemplary performance in the economic development profession, leading the execution of projects that have a significant impact on revitalizing communities, and playing a major role in shaping and improving the practice of economic development. “This group understands what it means to succeed together," Greater Houston Partnership President and CEO Steve Kean said. “When we work together as one to combine the expertise, assets and capabilities of our regional partners, the Houston region is unmatched in potential. Through this mindset of regionalism, we can create a more prosperous and inclusive future for all of our citizens.” Learn more about the 12-county region the Partnership represents.  

Houston-based Axiom Space and multinational tech innovator Nokia have formed a strategic partnership to enhance the next-generation spacesuits for NASA’s upcoming Artemis III lunar mission.  The collaboration aims to incorporate Nokia’s advanced 4G/LTE communication technology into the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU), which NASA selected Axiom Space to design in 2022. This upgrade will allow crew members to capture real-time, high-definition video, exchange critical information and communicate with mission controllers on Earth while exploring the Moon.   Developed by the renowned Nokia Bell Labs, Nokia’s cutting-edge technology, known as the Lunar Surface Communications System (LSCS), emerged from its selection by NASA under the Tipping Point initiative, which supports the development of space technologies to enhance future missions. The LSCS comprises two key components: a network-in-a-box, which consolidates the radio, base station and core network elements of a terrestrial cellular network into a single unit, and device modules that will be integrated into the AxEMU spacesuits.  The LSCS will be initially deployed during Houston aerospace company Intuitive Machines' IM-2 mission, scheduled to launch later this year, establishing the first-ever cellular network on the Moon. This mission will test the technology to refine its adaptation for the AxEMU spacesuits and highlight the crucial role of cellular connectivity on the Moon and Mars.  “Just as astronauts will need life support, shelter and food, they will need advanced networks to communicate with each other and go about their crucial work,” said Thierry E. Klein, President of Bell Labs Solutions Research at Nokia, in a statement. “Bell Labs has a long history of working on space projects, and Nokia is a leader in designing and building networks that connect the world. We are taking advantage of the same standards-based technologies that connect billions of devices on Earth every day, while bringing new innovation and technologies to bear on the specific challenges encountered in space."  This announcement aligns with NASA’s increasing investments in Houston companies and institutions as the region solidifies its position as a major player in the global space economy. NASA recently signed a Space Act Agreement with bp to leverage digital technologies and expertise to advance both energy production and space exploration. Earlier this year, the space agency also awarded the University of Houston $5 million to establish an aerospace engineering research center, focused on bolstering its human space exploration efforts on the Moon and Mars.  These partnerships are set to expand further through the NASA Johnson Space Center’s new aerospace innovation hub, Exploration Park. “I think you can plan for an increased number of partnerships going forward. I anticipate that partnerships will continue to become a bigger part of Johnson Space Center strategy,” Nick Skytland, chief technologist at JSC, told the Houston Business Journal. “We recognize that this is truly humanity's collaboration to advance human space exploration. So, we want to see more people be part of that.”  Learn more about Houston’s aerospace industry.