Skip to main content

Partnership Members Drive Powerful Impact

Published Dec 19, 2019 by Julia McGowen

Partnership Tower Networking

The Greater Houston Partnership works alongside our 1,100 members to make the greater Houston region one of the best places to live, work and build a business. When companies and organizations join the Partnership, they invest in making Houston greater. 

In January 2019, the Partnership launched Houston Next, a strategic plan to advance Houston as a great global city, one that centers around driving a strong, diverse, 21st century economy; ensuring a great quality of life; and offering opportunity for all. 

Beyond investing in the Partnership’s mission, much of the Partnership’s efforts are made possible by the active engagement of members in our work. 

Below is a snapshot of the impact made possible by our members in 2019. 

Driving a Strong, Diverse, 21st Century Economy

In 2019, the Partnership and its regional allies assisted in more than 50 economic development projects, which resulted in $1.1+ billion in capital investments and the creation of approximately 3,158 jobs.

Along with business and civic leaders including Mayor Sylvester Turner, the Partnership led four major business recruitment trips to Silicon Valley, San Francisco, New York City and London. Participants attended 33 company prospect meetings and networked with nearly 200 business leaders. The Partnership also extended global ties, welcoming 133 delegations from more than 4 countries.

Partnership Economic Development and Public Policy Committees, which are comprised of hundreds of members, also guided and assisted in the recruitment of targeted companies across key verticals and addressed policy issues carrying tax and fiscal consequences.

Ensuring a Great Quality of Life

The Partnership took tremendous strides toward improving the quality of life of Houstonians in 2019, particularly when it comes to building a more resilient Texas. During the 86th Legislative Session, the Infrastructure and Resiliency Advisory Committee helped advocate for recovery and resilience funding, which resulted in the passage of Texas' first flood planning, recovery and resilience package. That legislation secured $2 billion in state funding, which will draw down approximately $5 billion in federal funding for statewide recovery and resilience. 

The Transportation Advisory Committee also worked to improve local transportation infrastructure by advocating for voters to approve METRO’s bond referendum. The approved measure grants METRO $3.5 billion in bonding authority, which when combined with a potential match of $3.5 billion in federal funds and $500 million in other available local funds, will allow for up to $7.5 billion in transit network development. These projects will be crucial for the growth and mobility demands of the Houston region for the next several decades.

Supporting Opportunity for All

Human capital is the greatest asset our region possesses. As the Partnership works to support a strong, diverse economy, it is paramount that the growth we achieve is powered by Houstonians who are seeking opportunity to improve their own lives and that of their families. Significant achievements were made in 2019 on the forefront of improving our region’s public education system and pipeline for our future workforce. 

Prior to the 86th Legislative Session, the Public Education Advisory Committee developed five school finance reform principles that the Partnership believed were important to any school finance reform legislation this session. Guided in part by those principles, the Legislature passed the most consequential public school finance reform since 1993 with the passage of House Bill 3. The measure unlocks more than $400 million in new state funding for the Houston region, provides funding specifically for economically disadvantaged and English language learner students, increases funding aimed at improving third grade literacy rates, and significantly reduces the local burden of funding public education. It should be noted that House Bill 3 included most of the Partnership’s principles in the final reform legislation. 

The Partnership is also advancing efforts to increase the talent pipeline for the skilled workers needed to fill positions that require education and skills beyond a high school diploma but less than a bachelor’s degree. On this front, UpSkill Houston worked to engage 130 employers and more than 65 education, community, and workforce organizations over the past five years to offer effective career guidance and coaching at key decision points and to connect workers with skills-based education and hiring platforms.

Member Engagement

In addition to investing in making Houston greater, Partnership members have many opportunities to convene, learn, do business, and make an impact with other members. In 2019:

  • 10,250 business and community leaders attended 20 major events featuring high quality thought leader expertise 
  • 4,216 members were brought together for 75 Program sessions, delivering enriching conversations, educational workshops and valuable content
  • 1,460 members participated in 28 Council meetings across 10 key topic areas
  • 1,529 members convened for 83 Committee meetings making an influence in 19 areas critical to the region’s growth

Click here to read the full Partnership Impact Report. 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.

Related News

Economic Development

Houston Region Asserts Biotech Excellence at BIO International Convention

6/25/25
The Greater Houston Partnership and regional partners showcased Houston’s thriving life sciences and biotechnology ecosystem at the 2025 BIO International Convention in Boston. As the premier annual biotechnology conference in the United States, BIO 2025 drew nearly 20,000 global attendees, offering a powerful platform to highlight the region’s momentum, innovation, and growing opportunities in the sector.    BioHouston, Galveston EDP, Partnership Lake Houston, Pearland EDC, the Sugar Land Office of Economic Development and Tourism and The Woodlands EDP presented the many assets and unique benefits the region offers to biotechnology companies from startup to full-scale, including 8 million square feet of life sciences space, strategic workforce and educational initiatives, as well as an overall favorable approach to incentives and permitting.    "Working alongside the different members of our region and telling the story of the amazing product that Greater Houston has to offer is invigorating," Galveston EDP Executive Director Joshua Owens said. "Being able to showcase our ecosystem to a worldwide audience is an exceptional step toward creating opportunities for the people of Houston."    Recent wins, such as Bionova Scientific's move to The Woodlands and United Therapeutics’ move to Generation Park, serve as testaments to the variety of options for life science businesses in our region. With pronounced capabilities in research and development, manufacturing and innovation, life sciences companies of all kinds can find a welcoming home in the Houston region.    To learn more about our life sciences and biotechnology ecosystem, visit our life sciences page. 
Read More
Education

Texas Lawmakers Continue Reforming Small Colleges to Add More ‘Credentials of Value’

6/23/25
Houston is one of the nation’s biggest hubs for young professionals, thanks to strong job growth and an affordable cost of living. Between 2020 and 2024, the region added an estimated 240,000 new jobs, part of a broader economic boom across Texas. Now, a new law aims to build on that momentum by expanding access to workforce training and education programs. Senate Bill 1786 (SB 1786) was signed into law on May 27 and takes immediate effect to remove barriers for Texans seeking to enroll in local community and junior college programs. Additional provisions, including regional job demand studies and data analysis, will take effect on September 1. Free Courses for Disadvantaged StudentsSB 1786 expands free dual credit courses for economically disadvantaged students in grades 9–12, helping more Texans earn college credit before graduation. The law also addresses delays in the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s rulemaking for financial aid, speeding up access to grants and loans. It improves coordination across state and federal programs, including Jobs and Education for Texans (JET), P-TECH early college high schools, and TRUE reskilling programs. These changes will begin with the 2025–26 school year. Aligning Funding with Workforce Needs SB 1786 builds on the 2023 overhaul of the state’s community college finance system by tying funding to student outcomes, specifically: Earning degrees or industry-recognized credentials that lead to well-paying jobs Successfully transferring to four-year universities Completing targeted dual credit coursework Supporting  Business Growth and Regional Competitiveness By strengthening access to high-value credentials and aligning education funding with workforce outcomes, SB 1786 reinforces the region’s position as a destination for business investment and expansion. These reforms help ensure Houston has a pipeline of skilled talent ready to meet the needs of employers in high-growth sectors such as energy, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and technology. As the Partnership works to attract companies and jobs to the region, these policies send a strong signal that Houston is preparing its people for the careers of tomorrow. The law also strengthens the definition of a “credential of value” as one that helps a student earn more than a high school graduate and justifies the cost of their education. Credentials in high-demand sectors, such as healthcare and education, may also qualify. These updates will take effect in the 2027–28 school year. Workforce-Driven Reform The goal of SB 1786 is to reduce redundancy, maximize impact, and ensure postsecondary programs are aligned with the needs of Texas employers. By supporting this legislation, Houston’s business community is helping to sustain a robust talent pipeline for years to come.  
Read More

Related Events

Membership

Future of Texas | Texas Lawmakers Reflect on the 89th Texas Legislature

The Partnership invites Houston-area lawmakers for a panel discussion on the 89th Texas Legislature. Join us as we explore the topics tackled during the most recent legislative session in Austin. Water, workforce,…

Learn More
Learn More
Executive Partners