Following the success of 2023, the Greater Houston region continued to attract global businesses. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Partnership reported a total of 540 new business announcements, with 379 companies expanding their Houston area operations and 158 establishing new operations. Of the 540 new business announcements, the Partnership and its regional allies assisted 36, creating 5,000 jobs and fueling the regional economy with $1.1 billion total capital investment. Here are a few of the major project wins: Bionova Scientific Bionova Scientific is a biologics contract development and manufacturing organization that focuses on developing and manufacturing recombinant protein products. In 2024, the company expanded its research, development and manufacturing operations in The Woodlands Innovation District, funneling 57 jobs with a $100 million capital investment. Grainger, Inc. Fortune 300 company, Grainger, Inc. is a leading broadline distributor of maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) products. In 2024, the company broke ground on its 1.2 million-square-foot distribution center. When operational it will be one of the company’s largest facilities to date, will create 300 jobs, and has a capital investment of $225 million. IC Star Solar LLC IC Star Solar LLC, a Cambodian manufacturer of PV power generation products, opened  its new manufacturing facility in Tomball in 2024 focusing on the production of solar cells and modules. The facility employs 348 people and boosted the Houston economy with a capital investment of $30 million. QYK Brands QYK Brands is the largest manufacturer of wet wipes & methyl methacrylate (MAA) and houses a bio-chemical manufacturing plant that produces 7,000 metric tons per year. The company is establishing a manufacturing facility in the Houston area with approximately 1,000 employees and $400 million in capital investment over the next three years. TMEIC Corporation Americas Japanese company, TMEIC Corporation Americas, announced the relocation of its corporate headquarters to Houston and the expansion of its manufacturing capacity in Brookshire. The state-of-the-art photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing facility will develop PV inverters for the U.S. solar market. This project will create 300 jobs and a capital investment of $300 million. Healgen Scientific LLC Chinese company, Healgen Scientific, is a leading provider of diagnostic and medical testing solutions. Healgen celebrated the grand opening of their first U.S. manufacturing facility and office headquarters location in Houston. The facility will manufacture tests for COVID-19 and influenza and serve as the central hub Healgen's distribution operations. This project will create 200 jobs and a capital investment of $27 million. The Partnership works to ensure Houston is a great city to do business and has become a key partner for companies aiming to relocate or expand in the area. Grow your business in Houston.

Governor Greg Abbott named two of the Greater Houston Partnership’s Executive Priorities as emergency items for the Texas Legislature during his State of the State address Sunday. The governor said he wants lawmakers to immediately begin working on solutions to strengthen the workforce, improve the resilience of vital infrastructure, and make a Texas-sized investment in water security. The Partnership supports significant state investments in water infrastructure to ensure reliable supply, upgrade aging systems, and sustain economic growth amid rising demand. Workforce development is another key priority, advocating for stronger collaboration between education institutions and industry to create clear pathways to high-quality jobs. In a sweeping speech covering everything from the border to breaking ground on a Texas stock market, Gov. Abbott said lawmakers should deliver policy solutions that expand the "Texas Miracle." Education, water, and resiliency are key components of that vision. After the speech, Gov. Abbott released more details about the emergency items. To reach the goal of a "Texas-sized investment" for water, lawmakers must develop a solution to invest $1 billion every year for 10 years to address water supplies and repairs to existing infrastructure. By naming these issues as emergency items, lawmakers in the Texas House can debate legislation on the House Floor before the 60-day bill-filing rule. However, policy issues not designated as emergencies cannot be considered by members of the Texas House until after March 14. Last week, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick outlined the first batch of priority bills expected to be filed in the coming days. Highlights from that list coincide with Abbott’s emergency items, including: $2.5 billion for water investment Improving the resiliency of vital infrastructure, specifically water and power Strengthening accountability measures in public education The Texas Senate is already reviewing at least one of the governor’s emergency items. Meanwhile, the Senate Finance Committee is making steady progress in hearing testimony from various state agencies about funding requests for the 2026-27 biennium.  Later this month, the Texas Education Agency is scheduled to testify in the Senate Finance Committee. That hearing will likely reveal more about funding for the governor’s emergency item related to “life-changing career training” in public schools. Sen. Charles Schwertner and Rep. Gary Gates, both representing districts within the Partnership’s footprint, are set to introduce legislation authorizing funding for programs related to welding, health care, and other industries where high school graduates can directly enter the workforce.  One final highlight from the State of the State address is the governor’s declaration to create a Texas Cyber Command. The governor stated this new agency will strengthen the state’s resilience against cyberattacks. This command will train and recruit to protect infrastructure from digital warfare and criminal actors.   Click here to read the governor’s complete State of the State address.