Houston is, and always has been, a city that builds. From the oil rigs that powered the 20th century to the rockets that carried us to the moon, this region has built its reputation on the ability to engineer, innovate and scale at every level of industry.  Tech manufacturing has always been a part of that story. Before Silicon Valley became synonymous with the tech boom, there was Compaq. In the 1980s and ’90s, the Houston-based company helped revolutionize personal computing, turning the region into a hub for high-tech production long before it became a national trend.   Hewlett-Packard and Texas Instruments also maintained a significant presence in the region during that era. But as manufacturing policies and global economic dynamics shifted production overseas, Houston’s momentum in tech manufacturing slowed.  Now, as the global manufacturing landscape shifts toward advanced technologies like AI systems, robotics, energy storage and digital infrastructure, some of the world’s most prominent names in tech are turning their attention back to Houston.  Want to learn more about Houston’s advanced manufacturing industry? Connect with the Partnership’s Sr. Director of Economic Development, Valerie Mathieu.   Strategic Investments  Earlier this year, Apple announced it would build a 250,000-square-foot AI-driven manufacturing facility in northwest Harris County, bringing advanced server production for its Apple Intelligence platform back to U.S. soil. The announcement is an expansion of a multi-building complex operated by Foxconn, which supplies high-tech components for global tech firms.  Nvidia, a global leader in AI computing, also recently announced plans to reshore production of its AI supercomputers to the U.S., with a new manufacturing facility in Houston in partnership with Foxconn. These high-performance systems are essential for powering the next generation of data centers.  “Nvidia’s announcement reinforces a growing trend—global companies are choosing Houston for advanced manufacturing," said Craig Rhodes, Greater Houston Partnership’s SVP of Economic Development, in a statement. “Our region has the key ingredients—a highly skilled and diverse workforce, robust infrastructure, and deep industry expertise—to scale complex projects. As demand for AI and digital technologies grows, Houston is where companies come to build the future.”  Why Houston, Why Now?  As global companies re-evaluate supply chains, the question isn’t just where to build – but where to build smart. Houston offers the full package: scalable infrastructure, a strong supply chain ecosystem and a skilled workforce ready for next-gen production.  With nearly 240,000 manufacturing workers, Houston has one of the most diverse and capable labor pools in the nation – strengthened by industry-aligned training programs at local collages and new outcomes-based funding under Texas House Bill 8.   Innovation hubs, like The Ion District, accelerate the pace from idea to market, while Houston’s logistics network – home to the nation’s busiest port for foreign tonnage and two international airports – ensure global connectivity.  Add pro-business policies, available land and lower costs than coastal hubs, and Houston stands out as one of the fastest, smartest places to grow.  Leading the Future  The latest wave of investments from Apple and NVIDIA aren’t just one-off wins; they’re a bold statement of confidence in Houston’s ability to deliver the talent, infrastructure and innovation needed to lead the next era of high-tech manufacturing.  

Like every city, Houston experiences setbacks. The difference is Houston doesn’t dwell on them. It adapts, rebuilds and always comes back stronger. That’s exactly what the region is doing with biotech, an emerging sector where Houston is determined to lead.  The region’s economic development strategy shifted after losing Amazon’s HQ2 in 2019. Leaders doubled down on partnerships, long-term planning and industry diversification.  In 2022, there was another missed opportunity. A leading pharmaceutical company’s decision to choose North Carolina highlighted another critical gap in Houston – the need for a biotech workforce.   Rather than retreat, Houston responded with action. San Jacinto College (SJC) and Generation Park launched a bold partnership to build a biotech talent pipeline, ensuring the region is ready for the next big opportunity.  Learn more about Houston’s life sciences industry and how local colleges and businesses are working together to build the region’s biotech workforce.  SJC & Generation Park Partnership  Ryan McCord, McCord Development President and the visionary behind Generation Park, had long believed Houston could lead in life sciences. But as biotech investments flowed to other cities, it became clear: infrastructure alone wasn’t enough.  While Houston’s life sciences sector has grown steadily over the past decade— recording the second-highest employment growth rate among major markets from 2022 to 2023, according to CBRE’s 2025 Life Sciences Outlook—the region continued to face a shortage of technicians to support critical functions such as laboratory setup, data collection and research observation.  That’s when McCord turned to SJC, a proven leader in workforce development with a track record of building industry-aligned programs. Together, they launched the Center for Biotechnology, a workforce-first solution to close the talent gap and make Houston a top destination for biotech companies.  "San Jacinto College’s Biotechnology Center at Generation Park is the catalyst our region needs to fill the gap in our existing life science ecosystem and accelerate biomanufacturing in Houston,” said McCord in a news release.  Inside the Center for Biotechnology  Opening this summer, the Center for Biotechnology offers more than just textbook knowledge, it delivers hands-on training with industry-grade equipment. At its core is a pilot-scale bioprocessing plant where students will gain real-world experience using the same tools found in commercial facilities.   Click to expand To develop the curriculum, SJC partnered with the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), a global leader in biopharma education. That partnership makes the center the exclusive provider of NIBRT-licensed training in the southern U.S., and one of just six institutions worldwide with this distinction.  “Building on San Jacinto College’s established track record of working with industry to develop need-specific training and accreditation centers, the partnership with NIBRT represents an opportunity to train the workforce that Houston's biopharma industry needs to sustain its rapid growth,” said Brenda Hellyer, Chancellor of SJC, in a statement. “We also expect to contribute to the global market by training people eager to enter this growing industry from around the United States and beyond.”  The center also offers students exposure to emerging fields like cell and gene therapy. A regional advisory board of life sciences leaders will guide the curriculum to ensure it evolves with industry needs.  Strategic Location  The center is located within Generation Park, one of Houston’s fastest-growing innovation districts, and sits just steps away from BioHub Two, a 45-acre biomanufacturing campus currently under development. Once complete, BioHub Two will feature 500,000 square feet of state-of-the-art lab, office and cGMP manufacturing space, designed to attract life sciences companies to the region.   Click to expand What makes this proximity so powerful is the built-in connection between workforce development and industry growth. Companies moving into BioHub Two won’t just gain access to premier infrastructure, they’ll have a direct pipeline to trained, job-ready talent.  Spanning 4,300 acres, Generation Park is also home to leading institutions like Lone Star College and companies such as TechnipFMC and Apache Industrial Services. Beyond businesses, the district offers a great quality of life, surrounded by restaurants, shops, green space and residential options, all just a short drive from George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Port Houston.  Positioned for the Future  The partnership between SJC and Generation Park is more than a response to a missed opportunity – it’s a bold investment in Houston’s future. The Center for Biotechnology demonstrates how aligning education with industry needs can unlock long-term growth, strengthen the region’s talent pipeline, and position Houston as a national hub for life sciences innovation and biomanufacturing.