BUSINESS BRIEFS Fall 2020

BUSINESS BRIEFS V O L U M E F A L L

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Business Assistance Programs

1

Marketing

6

Public Relations & Media Communications

7

Special Initiatives

7

Storm Surge Protection

7

Preserve NASA Funding Levels

8

Bay Area Houston Advanced Technology Consortium

8

Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program

9

Membership

9

Our Partners

12

1 3 ,

N U M B E R

3

2 0 2 0

President’s Letter

Bob Mitchell

We’re now more than six months into the COVID-19 pandemic. I don’t believe that the word challenging even comes close to describing what 2020 has been for most of us. The bottom literally dropped out of the world’s way of interacting, and we are all working hard to create and maintain stability in every sector of our lives.

region which has always been resilient no matter what. The Herculean efforts of our ISDs and healthcare partners have been highlighted in our virtual General Membership Meetings as well. I hope that you have had the opportunity to participate in these very informative sessions. If not, all are available for viewing on YouTube.

Troubled times often bring out the best in people and in the communities in which they live and work. I strongly believe that economic development organizations like the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership and our important chamber of commerce partners provide vital resources which offer expertise, continuity, stability, and the sense of community that we all need — pandemic or no pandemic.

Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base continues its important mission of not only protecting our country but also of providing assistance during natural disasters as you will read on page 3. BAHEP, along with other stakeholders, is also working to recruit the U.S. Space Command headquarters and its 1,400 military and civilian employees to Harris County and Ellington Field (page 5).

As you read through this newsletter, you will find that BAHEP’s initiatives on behalf of small business, education, workforce development, retention and expansion of industry that includes aerospace and aviation, specialty chemicals, maritime, and healthcare are the ties that help to bind Bay Area Houston together as a

Please stay safe and do not hesitate to contact BAHEP should you need assistance.

Business Assistance Programs

Independent School Districts (ISDs) on the reopening of K-12 schools for the 2020/2021 school year. The BAHEP members heard how local ISDs are facing incredibly complicated and far-reaching challenges. The guest panelists were Carla Voelkel, superintendent, Dickinson ISD; Dr. Walter Jackson, superintendent, La Porte ISD; Dr. DeeAnn Powell, superin-

BAHEP Hosts Virtual Meeting with ISD Superintendents BAHEP hosted a virtual General Membership Meeting on Aug. 12, 2020, to hear from the superintendents of the region’s

Kind regards,

PAGE

2

Dr. Greg Smith

Carla Voelkel

Thad Roher

tendent, Pasadena ISD; Thad Roher, superintendent, Friendswood ISD; and Dr. Greg Smith, superintendent, Clear Creek ISD. More than 200 BAHEP members attended the meeting to hear how each of the ISDs is reopening amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

BAHEP Assists EDGE Center Develop Grant Proposal for Texas Workforce Commission BAHEP continues to participate in San Jacinto College’s EDGE Center development of courses and curricula for the aerospace, aviation, and technology programs. The EDGE Center is important to the Houston Spaceport as it works to recruit a variety of companies. Companies considering locating at the Houston Spaceport need training facilities for its employees as well as a source of newly-trained employees.

Executive Director for Economic Development Dan Seal and Aerospace Marketing Manager Jimmy Spence met on June 16, 2020, with Dr. Sarah Janes of San Jacinto College (SJC) and industry members of the SJC Aerospace and Aviation Committee to begin development of a proposal to the Texas Workforce Commission for a grant to expand EDGE Center’s training of students in aerospace and aviation technology.

BAHEP Partners with San Jacinto College for COVID-19 Special Initiative Training BAHEP is working with San Jacinto College to support and encourage participation in the Texas Workforce Commission’s Skills Development Fund for COVID-19 Response Training. This initiative awards grants to companies responding to the training needs of businesses adversely affected by COVID-19.

Businesses that are awarded grants will work with college partners to develop curricula and training

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Dr. Walter Jackson

Dr. DeeAnn Powell

based on the individual company’s needs. The Skills Development Fund pays for the training, the college administers the grant, and businesses can improve the skills of existing, new, and furloughed employees.

BAHEP Briefs Secretary of Commerce Ross on COVID-19 Impacts to Bay Area Houston BAHEP Executive Director for Economic Development Dan Seal gave a briefing on July 9, 2020, to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross regarding the COVID-19 economic impact to Bay Area Houston. Seal’s briefing was one of several briefings by economic development professionals in the greater Houston region.

Seal explained to Secretary Ross that BAHEP tracks five key industries in Bay Area Houston: Aerospace, Specialty Chemicals, Maritime, Healthcare, and Tourism. He provided a report card, which is summarized below, on how each of these industries has been faring during this recovery.  First – Aerospace gets a grade of “A”.

NASA’s budget is as well-funded as at any point going all the way back to the Apollo days.  The Specialty Chemicals industry gets a solid “B”. While the local petrochemical refineries are down because of the slower demand for gasoline, the region’s specialty chemical companies are holding their own at 90-95% capacity levels.  The Maritime industry also gets a grade of “B”. While almost all US ports are down significantly in imports and exports, Port Houston remains active.  On healthcare – we must grade it at a “C+”.

While our doctors and nurses have been doing yeoman’s work fighting the COVID pan-

VOLUME



13,

NUMBER

3

demic – they are true healthcare heroes – hospital revenues have been suffering.

On tourism – we have to grade this industry down at the lowest grade. However, we are starting to see some signs of life.

Finally, Seal thanked Secretary Ross for his great op-ed last year detailing his 5-point plan to ‘Launch Toward a $1 Trillion Space Economy,’ by saying, “Your leadership is helping to advance the commercial space industry, and Houston commercial space companies are positioned to lead the way forward.”

Roundtable of Local, State, and Federal Officials Discuss Impact of COVID-19 BAHEP President Bob Mitchell and Membership Director Harriet Pilgrim participated in a Mayoral Roundtable on Aug. 7, 2020, hosted by the City of League City’s Mayor Pat Hallisey at the Johnnie Arolfo Civic Center in League City. The purpose of the meeting was to bring everyone together to see how they are doing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The mayors reported on development projects in their respective city, the status of COVID-19 cases for city employees and in the community, how social distancing guidelines are working in the community, and the continued need to drive drainage projects.

Rep. Greg Bonnen, M.D., reported that many students in the State of Texas were unaccounted for following school closures in the spring and that education will be a top priority in the upcoming session. Jed Webb and Jared Bargas with the office of U.S. Congressman Randy Weber stated that much of their time has been devoted to helping constituents apply for the Paycheck Protection Program Loan (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). Mark Williams with Sen. Larry Taylor’s office discussed his work in the Senate to get our students back to school and back on track educationally.

Mitchell reported on BAHEP’s membership during the COVID-19 pandemic, a major BAHEP project planned for the Houston Spaceport, and the status of the design study for the Coastal Barrier along the Upper Texas Coast.

BAHEP Helps Harris County Roll Out Small Business Recovery Grant Program BAHEP announced the new Harris County Small Business Recovery Grant Program to its members through social media channels following a meeting held by Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia with stakeholders.

PAGE

3

BAHEP Marketing Manager Jimmy Spence attended the virtual meeting held by Commissioner Garcia on July 10, 2020, and organized the social media outreach to BAHEP members.

Ellington’s Col. Barker Speaks of Current Missions, Future Adrian Garcia Possibilities Harris County BAHEP hosted Col. Matthew Precinct 2 Barker, 147th Attack Wing Commissioner Commander, Texas Air National Guard, Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base (JRB), for its virtual General Membership Meeting on July 30, 2020.

Barker spoke of current operations of Ellington’s 147th Attack Wing, the exciting MQ-9 Remotely Piloted Aircraft program, and future possibilities.

Ellington Field JRB is home to all branches of the Department of Defense as well as the Coast Guard and NASA, which includes approximately 7,000 full-time and part-time personnel. Barker explained, “We are the only major military presence in the third largest city in the nation – a city of over 80,000 veterans.”

Barker then spoke of Ellington’s MQ-9, a remotely piloted aircraft or RPA. He said, “From the operational side, it is flying local training missions and also has the capability to do combat operations anywhere in the world from Ellington Field. The MQ-9 is about the size of an F-16, a regular fighter airplane, and can carry about the same amount of bombs and missiles.

Ellington Field is also the home of another flying asset – RC-26, a reconnaissance Col. Matthew Barker aircraft. The colonel related that during Hurricane Harvey in 2017 that the RC-26 handled about 600 infrastructure requests from the city engineers to go to Barker Addicks Reservoir to look for areas that might be problematic.

Barker detailed plans to improve the quality of life and infrastructure at Ellington. He said, “The real excitement of Ellington Field JRB’s installation development plan shows that senior leaders outside of Texas in the Air Na-

PAGE

4

tional Guard and the Air Force think that Ellington and its missions have great longevity.”

Following the colonel’s presentation, he answered several questions submitted by the virtual attendees.

Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance — Update on National Flood Insurance Program BAHEP continues to partner with the Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance (CSFI) to help ensure that Bay Area Houston residents and businesses retain affordable flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The CSFI, led by Greater New Orleans, Inc., provided updates on the reauthorization legislation, the extension of the grace period for renewals, and deferment of the risk rating program to stakeholders across the nation.

Lower Clear Creek & Dickinson Bayou Watershed Stakeholders Meet BAHEP participated in a stakeholder meeting on July 24, 2020, hosted by the City of League City that gave updates on the progress of a study being conducted to mitigate flooding in the Clear Creek and Dickinson Bayou watersheds. The effort, led by League City, is being supported by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Harris County Flood Control District.

The meeting covered new technical modeling that is helping to identify vulnerabilities along the tributaries and certain concepts that could be used to control or manage flooding between the two watersheds. Some of the concepts include constructing bypass or diversion channels, additional retention/detention areas, and improvements that would enhance existing channels to increase the volume of outflow.

BAHEP Co-hosts UTMB Medical Experts for COVID-19 Update On July 14, 2020, BAHEP and the Galveston Economic Development Partnership hosted a joint membership meeting focused on the coronavirus research in progress at UTMB. Experts Dr. Scott C. Weaver, scientific director of the Galveston National Laboratory, and infectious disease physi-

Dr. Scott C. Weaver

BUSINESS BRIEFS

cian Dr. Susan McLellan, medical director of the Biocontainment Patient Care Unit at UTMB, shared information on UTMB’s initiatives with COVID-19 research and the development of antiviral and antibody therapies as well as current vaccine Dr. Susan McLellan development efforts. They also discussed patient care and public health strategies that are critical to leading our communities out of this pandemic. Approximately 200 people joined the update through the virtual meeting.

Before the close of the meeting, Drs. Weaver and McLellan answered questions from the virtual attendees.

BAHEP Assists Nassau Bay’s Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee BAHEP Marketing Manager Barbara Cutsinger participated in Nassau Bay’s Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC) meetings on June 30 and July 27, 2020. CPAC is designed to provide guidance to the overall process of updating the Comprehensive Plan – how a city will develop and/or redevelop over time. The plan will guide growth and development for the next 20 years with a review every five years.

During the June 30 meeting, the committee discussed the “neighborhood of dreams” focus area, short-term priorities within this focus area, and reviewed a draft of future land use and character map. Agenda items for the July 27 meeting included a presentation of the highlights of the Future City portion of the Comprehensive Plan, near-term implementation priorities, and a recap of next activities which is another open house and consideration by the Planning Commission.

Small Business Committee Forums Focus on Achieving Success BAHEP’s Small Business Committee (SBC) hosted a

Brad Freyer

VOLUME

13,

NUMBER

3

virtual meeting on June 17, 2020, "How to Succeed in Uncertain Times,” facilitated by new BAHEP member Brad Freyer with Sandler Training. Freyer discussed some attitudes, behaviors, and techniques that have proven to be difference makers such as proactively handling difficult conversations with customers and staff; a systematic process for using the phone and technology to communicate; how to maintain a positive mindset that will lead to sales success; and how to keep sales flowing and the sales funnel full during uncertain times.

On June 30, 2020, the SBC and the San Jacinto College Small Business Development Center co -hosted a live webinar, Roy Salas “Insurance for Small Business,” facilitated by BAHEP member Roy Salas, financial advisor at Edward Jones. Salas presented information regarding common issues within businesses such as limited time to focus on finances, employees, and taxes; establishing business goals; and retirement plan options for businesses.

Briefing Held on Social Media Challenges During COVID-19 Pandemic BAHEP and San Jacinto College SBDC co-hosted a live webinar on Aug. 13, 2020, “Legal Pitfalls of Social Media,” presented by BAHEP member Carol Keough of the Keough Law Firm, PLLC. Keough briefed the attendees on the many social media challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the topics she covered included defamation and business disparagement; social media and hiring during COVID19; National Labor Relations Act – discipline for online comments; cyberbullying; and emCarol P. Keough ployee right of privacy.

Harris County Office of Economic Opportunity and Equity Working Group Meet BAHEP Executive Director for Economic Development Dan Seal and Marketing Manager C.A. Shields participated in a July 8, 2020, meeting of the Harris County Office of Economic Opportunity and Equity Working Group led by TIP Strategies. BAHEP, along with other meeting attendees, provided feedback on the proposed

PAGE

5

structure of the office, which is comprised of Business Development, Economic Development, Monitoring and Compliance, Engagement and Communications, and Policy.

The next steps for the working group are to have an all hands Working Group organizational presentation in September followed by a presentation of the organizational structure and implementation timeline to the Commissioners’ Court in the fall of 2020.

BAHEP Participates in Houston City Council District E Initiative to Help Black-owned Businesses BAHEP Executive Director for Economic Development Dan Seal and Marketing Manager C.A. Shields participated in a July 15, 2020, meeting of a ‘collaboration’ between Houston Mayor Pro-Tem Dave Martin’s Council District E office and economic development organizations (EDOs) located in District E to address how the collaboration might help black-owned businesses in this district succeed and grow. This effort may be expanded to include other multi-cultural and minority-owned businesses in the future, but for now the focus will be on black-owned businesses. EDOs participating, along with the District E staff and BAHEP, are the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, Lake Houston Economic Development Partnership, and Lake Houston Chamber of Commerce.

Galveston County Economic Development Partnership, BAHEP Collaborate BAHEP President Bob Mitchell and Galveston County Economic Development Partnership President Jeff Sjostrom met on July 13, 2020, to discuss potential collaborations on regional projects, including projects in eastern Harris County. The discussions included the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) approval process for the design, funding, and construction of the Coastal Barrier, COVID-19 impacts to businesses and residents, the Grand Parkway completion, and projects at the Houston Spaceport.

BAHEP Works to Facilitate Neuropsychiatric Services for Local Hospitals BAHEP Membership Director Harriet Pilgrim and Marketing Manager Barbara Cutsinger met with Neuropsychiatric Hospital representatives on July 8, 2020, to work on setting up meetings with some of the local hospital case workers and discharge planners so they can hear how the Neuropsychiatric Hospital can help them. The Neuropsychiatric Hospital is a new hospital under construction in Bay Area Houston, and it is planned to open later this year.

PAGE

6

Marketing BAHEP Participates in Recruitment of U.S. Space Command Headquarters to Harris County BAHEP, along with other stakeholders, participated in the development of a response to a U.S. Air Force request for information (RFI) regarding the recruitment of the U.S. Space Command and its 1,400 military and civilian employees to Harris County. BAHEP facilitated the development of the self-nomination letter from City of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, endorsed by Governor Greg Abbott, that was sent to the Secretary of the United States Air Force. BAHEP collaborated with the City of Houston, the Houston Airport System, and other stakeholders to develop the self-nomination letter for Mayor Turner.

The Space Command headquarters currently is in Colorado Springs, Colo. Other organizations participating in the development of the response included the State of Texas Governor’s Office, City of Houston, Ellington Field military units, Greater Houston Partnership, and NASA Johnson Space Center.

Project 3D (Texas Injection Molding) is Win for Bay Area Houston Project 3D, a retention and expansion project, is a win for BAHEP. Project 3D is the code name for Texas Injection Molding, which is building a new and larger facility, 65,000 SF, at Gulf Point Business Park in Houston on the Gulf Freeway at Scarsdale.

BAHEP started working with the company in 2017 to find a site for a new location. The company was unable to secure additional land for expansion at its current location in the Hobby Airport vicinity and needed to find a new location close to the existing facility for employee convenience. Its business is custom plastic injection molding services for OEM manufacturing and consumer products. The company has 95 employees and will invest $6.5 million on this project.

Project Axle (Axiom Space) is Win for Bay Area Houston Project Axle is a win for BAHEP. Project Axle is the

BUSINESS BRIEFS

code name for Axiom Space. BAHEP started working with Axiom Space in 2017 to assist Axiom Space in finding office space for the company’s expanding business.

The company leased 31,327 SF at 1290 Hercules Avenue, the Hercules II building. Axiom Space is currently in the process of hiring 200 aerospace workers for research, design, and development of cutting-edge, low-earth orbit technology.

Prospect Review Meeting Hosts Local Bankers BAHEP conducted its virtual Prospect Review meeting on Aug. 12, 2020. Following a review of BAHEP’s newest projects, attendees heard from bankers Kenny Koncaba, Texan Bank; Michael Lerner, Moody Bank; and Jamie Ballard, Veritex Bank; about the trends they are seeing now, bank lending at this time, and the kind of projects they are working on. More than 30 attendees joined the meeting.

Due Diligence Provided for Potential Project for City of Houston BAHEP Marketing Manager Barbara Cutsinger provided contact information to Mark Nicholas, Jones Lang La Salle, who needed to discuss the building restrictions on land near Ellington Airport. Cutsinger referred Nicholas to Bill Zrioka, Houston Airport System senior planner, on July 24, 2020. Zrioka and Nicholas have been in contact since the referral.

Nicholas has at least two listings on large tracts along State Highway 3.

BAHEP Works to Retain Bayport Industrial District Manufacturer BAHEP was contacted by a Scandinavian company located in the City of Pasadena’s portion of the Bayport Industrial District that is interested in an expansion project and potential incentives. The company is looking to invest around $140 million at its existing site to improve the manufacturing processes and enhance environmental controls equipment. The company would also create around 35 new full-time jobs with this project with average wages of approximately $85,000 per year. BAHEP is working with the company in seeking a Chapter 313 abatement, supplementary Skills Development Fund grants, and a possible Foreign Trade Zone designation.

If the company is unable to expand, it will likely

VOLUME

13,

NUMBER

3

shutter the Bayport Industrial District site and expand in either Louisiana or Southeast Asia where there are competing sites.

New Market Tax Credit Parcels in Harris County Identified for Texas Governor’s Office BAHEP was contacted by the Texas Governor’s Office seeking information on available tracts of land that qualify under the federally approved New Market Tax Credit (NMTC). BAHEP provided tract information on sites located in eastern Harris County. NMTCs were introduced in 2000 to accelerate investment and economic growth in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods and designed to increase the flow of capital to businesses in low-income communities by providing tax incentives.

The information provided will help attract companies looking to benefit from the NMTC, and coupled with the Opportunity Zone program, will provide prospective companies with the potential to reap greater economic growth resulting in more investment.

Project Felicia Seeks Manufacturing Space in Harris County BAHEP submitted numerous sites in Harris County for a prospective Italian company, Project Felicia, looking to establish a foothold in the Houston region. The prospect is looking for at least 40,000 sq. ft. of space for manufacturing, logistics, and office, along with overhead cranes and access to intermodal facilities. The company anticipates investing $40 million and creating 25 new jobs.

Public Relations & Media Communications BAHEP Writes Letters of Support for San Jacinto College Maritime Program BAHEP President Bob Mitchell wrote letters to Sens.

John Cornyn and Ted Cruz requesting their support for the FY2021 Maritime Administration Reauthorization Act. Mitchell wrote, “We respectfully urge you to support the Community College Maritime Career Training Grants Program as an essential effort to reskill and upskill the workforce as the nation prepares to return to the workplace.” The San Jacinto College Maritime Technology and Training Center is partially funded through this grant program.

The college’s Maritime Program offers United States Coast Guard-approved and internationally-recognized Standards for Training, Certification and Watchkeeping maritime training and deck-level coursework for all professional mariners from the entry-level deckhand on an inland towboat to Unlimited Tonnage Masters on the

PAGE

7

world’s largest ships. Engineering courses are available from engine room fundamentals to Qualified Member of the Engineering Department, Designated Duty Engineer, to Chief Engineer.

Mitchell Comments on Savings from Commercial Flights to ISS, Potential Benefit to NASA’s Artemis Program BAHEP President Bob Mitchell contributed to an Aug. 6, 2020, Houston Chronicle commentary on the relationship between the United States and Russia following the successful SpaceX Dragon spacecraft test flight to the International Space Station (ISS).

The commentary discussed the savings from not using Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft to ferry astronauts to and from the ISS. Mitchell said that ultimately the money NASA saves by flying with commercial companies could be put toward its Artemis program seeking to return humans to the moon. Houston, the home of human spaceflight, would certainly benefit from this, said Mitchell. “It potentially equates to additional people working,” he stated.

BAHEP Promotes Governmental Initiatives through Social Media Outreach BAHEP continues to promote governmental initiatives such as COVID-19 testing centers, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) disbursement, rent relief, and most recently hurricane preparations information to its 3,015 Twitter followers and 6,380 Facebook friends. See tweets at www.twitter.com/bahep and http:// www.facebook.com/BayAreaHoustonEcon for Facebook posts.

Special Initiatives Storm Surge Protection Initiative for Bay Area Houston IMAC Receives Updates on the Coastal Barrier Approval Process BAHEP’s International Maritime Advisory Committee (IMAC) heard updates from Committee Chairman Col. Len Waterworth (USA, Ret.) with Texas A&M University at Galveston and other committee members on the status of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) approval process for the design, funding, and construction of the Coastal Barrier.

The USACE has a ‘tentatively selected plan,’ and BAHEP is in regular dialogue with the USACE to propose modifications to make improvements to that tentative

PAGE

8

plan – a ‘locally preferred plan.’ Variables such as final design of the Bolivar Roads gates, the final dune fortification methodology, alignment/feasibility of the Galveston ring barrier, and whether to gate San Luis Pass are factors still under discussion.

A final recommended plan is expected to be released in a Chief’s Report approximately in May 2021. Assuming the recommendation is positive, the USACE would seek authorization and federal appropriations then.

In the interim, BAHEP is working with a team led by Sen. Larry Taylor, Rep. Greg Bonnen, M.D., Rep. Dennis Paul, Morgan’s Point Mayor Michel Bechtel, and other stakeholders to explore alternatives to a federally-funded approach – such as using insurancelinked financing through a resiliency bond framework – which appear to show some promise.

Bay Area Coastal Protection Alliance Evaluates Resiliency Bonds for Coastal Spine BAHEP President Bob Mitchell and Executive Director for Economic Development Dan Seal met with members of the Bay Area Coastal Protection Alliance (BACPA), including Morgan’s Point Mayor Michel Bechtel, on July 29, 2020, to discuss a proof-ofconcept study to evaluate the viability of resiliency bonds as a mechanism for funding the development of the Coastal Barrier along the Upper Texas Coast.

Preserve NASA Funding Levels Citizens for Space Exploration Advocate for NASA Budget and Missions Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, BAHEP’s Citizens for Space Exploration (CSE) Committee was not able to conduct its annual trip to Washington, D.C., to advocate on Capitol Hill for human space exploration for the first time in nearly 30 years.

In order to advocate by distance, CSE gathered 22 students and community members from around the country that made the trip to Capitol Hill in 2019.

These virtual CSE travelers reached out to the 391 congressional offices they visited last year to send personalized messages and deliver CSE’s newest point paper during late June and early July. In addition, these CSE travelers contacted the 146 remaining

BUSINESS BRIEFS

congressional members (both voting and nonvoting).

In total, CSE was able to reach out to all 537 currently occupied congressional offices. CSE looks forward to resuming the normal in-person meetings with two trips in 2021, one freshman trip in February and the regular May trip.

Bay Area Houston Advanced Technology Consortium (BayTech) BayTech was formed by BAHEP and has built a network of partners across multiple industries and academia, creating a resource pool which will be drawn on as collaborations are identified and research funding is pursued. BayTech’s goals are to 1) acquire public and private research and technology development funding for the Bay Area Houston region; 2) secure customers for, and provide simplified access to, NASA Johnson Space Center’s capabilities and facilities through its Space Act Agreement; and 3) pursue partnerships to support technology development.

BayTech Supports NASA Johnson Space Center Test Facility For calendar year 2020, BayTech has executed approximately $20,000 in agreements with commercial companies for their use of NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) capabilities. The customers BayTech is supporting with this work include traditional aerospace organizations and suppliers and oil & gas service companies.

NASA JSC has been at Stage 3 support (essential personnel only onsite) with most working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has impacted BayTech’s ability to utilize NASA JSC services since mid-March 2020. As a result, discussions with Samtec Inc. to determine if BayTech can support its component testing needs has been placed on hold.

Additionally, BayTech has also been in discussion with LDARTools about providing thermal vacuum testing for a component, but this is also on hold until NASA JSC can return to Stage 2 thereby allowing workers to return onsite.

BayTech was able to support Atlantic Fasteners with fastener testing in the May timeframe as test technicians were already onsite providing other essential

VOLUME

13,

NUMBER

3

testing. Since late July, NASA JSC has been able to offer some of its electronic workmanship training classes in a virtual, online manner; so, BayTech has been able to support two customers with recertification and inspection training online.

BayTech Prepares Proposal for Certified Manufacturing Technician Training BayTech has prepared a proposal to submit for a WagnerPeyser grant to offer certified manufacturing technician training to unemployed high school graduates and others.

The federal government funds the Wagner-Peyser grant through the Texas Workforce Commission for workforce training and job placement services.

The training will be delivered by the San Jacinto College EDGE Center located at the Houston Spaceport. Students who complete the training will be awarded a nationally recognized certification as a manufacturing technician through the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC), and then the BayTech team will work with its industry partners to place these individuals in a job.

BayTech has not yet submitted the proposal to the Texas Governor’s Office as that proposal solicitation is on hold while the State of Texas deals with the COVID-19 pandemic. Once the solicitation is reopened, BayTech will submit the proposal.

Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP) What is SATOP? The Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP) is a State of Texas funded program that helps small businesses, especially minority- and women-owned businesses, faced with technical challenges by providing up to 40 hours of FREE technical assistance for qualified requests.

This is accomplished by utilizing the vast engineering expertise of NASA and participating Alliance Partners (NASA contractors, subcontractors, or colleges). SATOP is designed to speed the transfer of the U.S. Space Program’s knowledge and technology to the private sector, to provide economic benefits to the community, and to raise public awareness of the Space Program.

SATOP Newsletter Features Success Stories and University of Houston SBDC Network The newsletter, SATOP Insider, Summer 2020 edition, highlights technical assistance provided to two businesses, one of which is a Houston region minority-owned

PAGE

9

business. Kevin Selva, CEO of Hybrid Ingenuity Designs, was provided the needed assistance with material engineering and analysis for a new footwear insert design that will have longlasting protection for plantar, arch, and heel support.

The University of Houston Texas Gulf Coast Small BusiRoberta Skebo ness Development Center (SBDC) Network and Roberta Skebo, the deputy director of the SBDC Advising Operations, were featured for the many small businesses referred to SATOP for technical assistance. The SBDC has partnered with SATOP for more than 15 years.

MEMBERSHIP Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership owes much of its success to the active participation of its members. Following is a current list of BAHEP members: New in 2020

Acadian Ambulance Service ACU of Texas Advantage BMW Mini of Clear Lake AECOM The Aerospace Corporation AeroSys, LLC Aexa Aerospace, LLC Aggreko Airbus DS Space Systems, Inc. All Points Logistics, LLC Allegiance Bank Texas Alpha Space Test & Research Alliance, LLC Al-Razaq Computing Services The AM Agency Amazon Web Services American Acryl American Cancer Society American Heart Association AMOCO Federal Credit Union Anadarko Industries, LLC Archer Group ARES Aerospace and Technology Services ASRC Federal AssuredPartners AVERA Companies Ayrshire Corporation Bay Area Coastal Protection Alliance Bay Area Commercial Real Estate Network (BACREN) Bancorp South Bank Barlow Jones, L.L.P.

PAGE

10

Barrios Technology Bastion Technologies, Inc. Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre Bay Area Houston Magazine Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership (BAYTRAN) Bay Area Surgicare Center Bay Area Turning Point, Inc. Bay Oaks Country Club Bay Area Houston Advanced Technology Consortium (BayTech) The Boeing Company Booz Allen Hamilton Bowers & Sadler, LLP Brewer Construction Services The Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Inc. Brookfield Properties Capital Bank - Pasadena CDS Community Development Strategies CenterPoint Energy Charles Schwab & Co. Chemical Process and Production, Inc. CHI St. Luke’s Health Patients Medical Center Cimarron City of Clear Lake Shores City of Dickinson City of El Lago City of Friendswood City of Houston City of Houston, Houston Airport System City of Kemah/KCDC City of Kemah City of La Porte City of League City City of Morgan’s Point City of Nassau Bay City of Pasadena City of Seabrook City of Taylor Lake Village City of Webster CIVET Real Estate CLC Properties Clear Creek Independent School District Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Coldwell Banker United Realtors College of the Mainland Colliers International Collins Aerospace Comcast Business Communities In Schools - Bay Area, Inc. Community Impact Newspaper Courtyard By Marriott Houston NASA/Nassau Bay Coventry Development Corporation - Houston Craig Technologies Crean & Associates Criss Cross Commercial Group Crowder Funeral Homes

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Curran Investment Group of Wells Fargo Advisors Cyber One Solutions, LLC CYFOR Technologies, LLC Cypress Bay Subdivision/Marina Bay Village DB Consulting Group Del Papa Distributing Company Deloitte Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Dickinson Independent School District DRDA, PLLC Economic Alliance Houston Port Region EduSafe Systems, Inc. Edward Jones – Roy Salas Elizabeth Smith Life and Health Express Employment Professionals The Eye Clinic of Texas Fast Signs - Clear Lake Friendswood Chamber of Commerce Friendswood Independent School District Frost Bank Galveston Bay Foundation Galveston County Galveston County Daily News Galveston Economic Development Partnership Galveston Regional Chamber GB Tech, Inc. GeoControl Systems, Inc. Greater Houston Partnership Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP Gregg & Gregg, P.C. Griffin Communications Group Griffin Partners, Inc. Guidry News Service Gulf Coast Authority Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union Gulf Coast Limestone, Inc. Ham, Langston & Brezina, LLP Harris County Haute Flowers & Events HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast HIGHER Up Texas Higginbotham Highpoint Insurance Group, LLC Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake HomeTown Bank, N.A. Houston Area Safety Council Houston Association of Realtors Houston Chronicle Media Group Houston First Corporation Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital Houston Pediatric Specialty Group, LLC Houston Precision Fasteners ImageNet Consulting Intuitive Machines, LLC J&P Technologies J. A. Billipp Company

VOLUME

13,

NUMBER

3

Jacobs JES Tech Joiner Architects, Inc. JSC Federal Credit Union Kaneka North America LLC KBR Keller Williams Realty Clear Lake Kemah Boardwalk Keough Law Firm, PLLC Kuraray America, Inc. La Porte Independent School District Lakewood Yacht Club The Law Office of Phil Griffis League City Regional Chamber of Commerce Leidos Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company Lockridge Packaging, LLC Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. Logical Innovations, Inc. Lone Star Flight Museum MadisonMarquette Marina Bend at Clear Creek Marsh Darcy Partners, Inc. MDT Financial Advisors, LLC Meador Staffing Services, Inc. Media Riders, Inc. Medistar Corporation MEI Technologies, Inc. Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital Merrill Lynch Minuteman Press - Bay Area Moody Bank Mori Associates MRI Technologies My FlooringAMERICA NanoRacks, LLC NASA Alumni League - JSC Chapter NASA Johnson Space Center Nestle Waters N.A. NeuroPsychiatric Hospitals Norman Frede Chevrolet Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems Oceaneering Space Systems, Inc. One Stop Tents & Events PAE Pasadena Economic Development Corporation Pasadena Independent School District Pasadena Texas Chamber of Commerce Payne’s Plants PBK Pearland Economic Development Corporation Pelican View Drone Services Pennino and Partners Peraton Perry’s Restaurant Group Port Houston PrimeLending — A PlainsCapital Company Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services The Rothe Companies — Houston Operations Royal Harbor Partners, LLC

PAGE

S&K Global Solutions SAIC Sandler Training San Jacinto College District Savills, Inc. Schaumburg & Polk, Inc. Science Systems and Applications Shriners Hospital for Children Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies Sierra Nevada Corporation Signature Flight Support South Belt-Ellington Leader South Shore Harbour Resort & Conference Center Southwest Airlines Company Space Center Houston Space City Films, Inc. SSCI Environmental & Consulting Services Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. Star Service, Inc. Staybridge Suites NASA Clear Lake Summit Management Group TechTrans International (TTI) Teledyne Brown Engineering Terracon Consultants, Inc. Texan Bank Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) Texas A&M University at Galveston Texas Central Texas Chiropractic College Texas Citizens Bank Thrivent Financial Tommy’s Restaurant Oyster Bar Trustmark National Bank, Texas TXU Energy UHCL Center for Economic Development & Research United Airlines United Equities, Inc. Universities Space Research Association-USRA University of Houston-Clear Lake University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Uprite Services UTMB Health Veritex Community Bank Welcome Group, LLC Wells Fargo Business Banking Whitley Penn Wendell Wilson & Dr. Pat Potter Wilson Wile Interests, Inc. Wings Over Houston Air Show YMCA of Greater Houston Zann Commercial Brokerage, Inc.

11

18045 Saturn Lane Houston, Texas 77058 P.O. Box 58724 Houston, Texas 77258-8724 Phone: 832.536.3255 Fax: 832.536.3258 Web: www.bayareahouston.com E-mail: info@bayareahouston.com Facebook: BayAreaHoustonEcon Twitter: @BAHEP

The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, or BAHEP, is a member-driven organization that provides the leadership to stimulate regional economic development and employment. Utilizing a collaborative committee structure, we engage more than 265 investor companies, business professionals, local governments, and educational institutions, in southeast Texas, to bring about prosperity and a high quality of life for the 800,000 people who live and work in the region. Our members include business partners within our 14 member cities, Galveston and Harris counties, the Houston Airport System, and Port Houston.

Clear Lake Shores Dickinson El Lago Friendswood Houston Kemah La Porte League City Morgan’s Point Nassau Bay Pasadena Seabrook Taylor Lake Village Webster

Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership sincerely thanks Harris County, Galveston County, Port Houston, the Houston Airport System, CenterPoint Energy, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines without whose continued support BAHEP’s work on behalf of the region would not be possible.