HOUSTON (January 31, 2025) – The Greater Houston Partnership announced the launch of its new five-year strategic framework, Houston Next: Advancing Opportunity, during its Annual Meeting. This comprehensive plan builds upon the organization’s work to position Houston as a world-class hub for economic growth, innovation, and quality of life.

"Our region is on a remarkable trajectory, and rapid economic and workforce changes demand bold action to ensure Houston leads in talent, innovation, and resilience,” said Partnership President and CEO Steve Kean. “By fostering collaboration and creating opportunities for all, we are paving the way for a brighter future. Our new strategic plan will drive growth, create opportunity, and strengthen our community."

Over the past six years, the Partnership has made significant progress through its core economic development and public policy work, along with key initiatives such as UpSkill Houston, Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI) and One Houston Together. These efforts have laid a strong foundation for the new strategic framework, which focuses on three core pillars: Prosperity, People, and Place, with a particular focus on two strategic imperatives: Talent & Economic Mobility and Resilience.

Three Core Pillars

• Prosperity: This pillar focuses on advancing a strong, diverse economy through proactive economic development that attracts global investment and drives growth across key industries including energy, life sciences, aerospace, advanced manufacturing and digital technology. 
• People: The focus here is on creating inclusive opportunity and driving economic growth for Houstonians through integrated education and workforce training for high-demand careers. 
• Place: This pillar aims to build a resilient and vibrant region that supports quality of life and economic growth. 

New Strategic Imperatives

1. Talent & Economic Mobility: This imperative focuses on creating a strong, skilled workforce that meets the demands of the future, and creates economic opportunity for more Houstonians. The Partnership will work with employers, education providers, and community organizations to align talent supply with demand, foster inclusivity, and expand apprenticeship programs.
2. Resilience: The goal is to make greater Houston the most resilient coastal city in the world. This involves enhancing critical systems' resilience by convening leading stakeholders who own, operate, and use these systems; advocating for policy solutions that improve infrastructure; and telling Houston's resilience story to attract investment and talent. 

"In Houston and at the Partnership, we face the future with optimism and the spirit that together, we can do anything,” Kean said. “Collaboration is Houston’s superpower. And the Partnership’s superpower is our ability to convene, connect, and develop plans with the people, the organizations, and the institutions to get things done."

The Partnership is launching a $35 million fundraising campaign to help fund the Houston Next strategic plan.  Lead investors include CenterPoint Energy and Quanta Services, along with Camden Property Trust, Chevron, H-E-B, Houston Methodist, Memorial Hermann Health System, Mustang Cat, Shell, and Steve Kean.

The strategic framework was unveiled during the Partnership’s Annual Meeting. The event also introduced Gretchen Watkins, President of Shell USA, as the Partnership’s 2025 Board Chair. Additionally, the prestigious 2025 Robert C. McNair Award for Civic Leadership was presented to the Love family, recognizing their profound contributions to the greater Houston community.

Learn more about Houston Next. Read our 2024 Annual Report.

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MEDIA CONTACT:    

Brina Morales                
Sr. Director, Communications        
bmorales@houston.org