Fall 2021 BUSINESS BRIEFS

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

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Business Assistance Programs

1

Marketing

5

Public Relations & Media Communications

5

Special Initiatives

6

Storm Surge Protection

6

Preserve NASA Funding Levels

8

Bay Area Houston Advanced Technology Consortium

8

Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program

8

Membership

9

Our Partners

12

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N U M B E R

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President’s Letter

Bob Mitchell

As an economic development organization, BAHEP’s purpose is to support the recruitment, expansion, and retention of jobs and wealth creation across the region which it does in collaboration with its many incredible partners.

When site selectors visit Bay Area Houston for their clients, they take into consideration available facilities, infrastructure, access, transportation, housing, quality of educational systems, pipelines of potential employees, and much more.

Competition between cities across the nation can be formidable when a large company seeks to relocate its headquarters. BAHEP is often asked to participate in the proposal process, and each time we learn more about what draws companies to this great region and their expectations.

Our region is fortunate in that it is as diverse as the cities within it and includes five core industries: aerospace and aviation, healthcare, maritime and logistics, specialty chemical, and tourism and recreation. This kind of diversity strengthens our economy, since we aren’t dependent upon any one industry. That lesson was learned the hard way, as most important

lessons are, during the oil downturn of the 1980s.

Education has truly been the cornerstone of our economic success. We’ve discovered over many years what works and what doesn’t when it involves attracting and keeping businesses. Education post high school in both technical fields and at community colleges and universities has become an even more critical element. Companies relocate to areas that have a well-educated workforce.

I’m a native Houstonian, and it has been exciting to watch this region evolve and grow. Our healthcare systems are among the best in the world. Our ports are also world-class. The commercialization of space and the partnerships that have been and will be formed with NASA will take us to the moon, Mars, and beyond.

We are fortunate to live in a remarkable region during a remarkable era.

Business Assistance Programs

Mitchell recommended funds for a Precinct 2 workforce development program to train unemployed persons as certified electrical or certified composite technicians and then facilitate their placement into industry. These roles are critical to the aerospace and other manufacturing and advanced manufacturing industries in the region. Mitchell also recommended funds for the Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program with a focus on providing technical assistance to minority business enterprises in Precinct 2.

Harris County Opportunities for American Rescue Plan Act Funds At the request of Harris County Precinct 2, BAHEP President Bob Mitchell submitted candidate projects for the Harris County American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus Local Recovery Funds to Kristen Lee, Precinct 2 senior policy analyst.

Kind regards,

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BAHEP Collaborates with Stakeholders to Develop Advanced Training Institute at Houston Spaceport BAHEP Executive Director for Economic Development Dan Seal and Marketing Manager Kim Morris met with Houston Airport Director Mario Diaz, Ellington Airport GM Arturo Machuca, San Jacinto College Vice Chancellor Dr. Sarah Janes, and representatives from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, The Rice Space Institute, Texas Southern University, Texas A&M University, and the aerospace industry on June 1, 2021, and again on Aug. 3, 2021, on the development of the Houston Spaceport Center for Research Education and Workforce development (HS-CREW) at the Houston Spaceport. The institute would provide specialized technician training and degree programs targeted at the aerospace and aviation industry as well as other industries in Bay Area Houston.

BAHEP Participates in City of Dickinson Listening Session with Halff Associates At the request of Dickinson Mayor Sean Skipworth, BAHEP Executive Director for Economic Development Dan Seal and Marketing Manager Barbara Cutsinger participated in a meeting on June 23, 2021, with Halff Associates which is working on a comprehensive plan for Dickinson. This will be a 20-year road map for the city to include input such as roadways, housing, flooding, resiliency, and transportation. The consultant asked several questions of the attendees that included Galveston County Economic Development Director Dane Carlson and a representative from the water district about challenges, opportunities, key issues, possible manufacturing sites, and residents’ sense of community. The consultant was impressed with the input and hopes to schedule an additional meeting with this group.

BAHEP’s Dan Seal is Guest Speaker for Galveston Mayor and Council Dinner Dan Seal, BAHEP executive director for Economic Development, was invited to speak at the Galveston Mayor and Council Dinner on July 14, 2021. Seal provided an update on economic development activities in Galveston County, including the Coastal Barrier, a storm surge protection system, to more than 45 mayors and city council members.

Kemah Community Development Committee Hears Update on BAHEP Initiatives BAHEP Executive Director for Economic Development Dan Seal and Membership Director Harriet Pilgrim attended the Kemah Community Development Committee (KCDC) meeting on July 20, 2021. At the request of KCDC President Isaac Saldana, Seal

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provided a brief presentation on BAHEP and its economic development activities as a prelude to the KCDC renewal of BAHEP’s three-year economic development services contract.

BAHEP Facilitates Meeting with Houston City Officials and Baybrook Mall on Water Issues Bob Mitchell, BAHEP president, organized a meeting held Aug. 4, 2021, between Houston Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin’s office and Brookfield Properties, owner of Baybrook Mall, to discuss water and wastewater issues. Brookfield Properties plans to expand the mall and needs additional water and wastewater treatment for the expansion. Attending the meeting were BAHEP Executive Director for Economic Development Dan Seal and Mark Mitchell with Houston Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin’s office.

Subsequent to the meeting, Mark Mitchell arranged for the City of Houston Engineering Department to meet with Brookfield Properties to consider five different options to provide water and wastewater treatment.

Legislative Panel Gives Update on Texas’ 87th Legislative Session to BAHEP Members BAHEP held its semi-annual Texas legislative update on June 30, 2021, featuring a panel discussion with the region’s legislative representatives. Participating on the panel were Sen. Carol Alvarado, District 6; Rep. Mary Ann Perez, District 144; Rep. Greg Bonnen, M.D., District 24; Rep. Dennis Paul, District 129; and Rep. Briscoe Cain, District 128. The general membership meeting and special reception for the region’s elected officials were held at the South Shore Harbor Resort & Conference Center.

BAHEP Board Chairman Charlie Stegemoeller, senior director, Business Development, SAIC, welcomed the legislators and members of the organization and introduced the elected officials in attendance. Brenda Hellyer, Ed.D., chancellor, San Jacinto College District, served as panel moderator.

The legislators answered a series of questions developed by BAHEP’s Political Protocol Committee, the host for the event. Following the Q&A session, each legislator gave an overview of individual accomplishments during the legislative session.

The event was attended by more than 175 business leaders, educators, and elected officials and staff members including Tanya Makany-Rivera, director of Government Affairs and Community Relations, Harris County Precinct 2; Houston City Council Member Sallie Alcorn (At-Large Position 5); Ashley Campbell representing Houston City Council Mem-

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BAHEP held its semi-annual Texas legislative update on June 30, 2021, featuring a panel discussion with the region’s legislative representatives. Shown l to r are: Charlie Stegemoeller, BAHEP board chair; Rep. Briscoe Cain; Rep. Dennis Paul; Rep. Greg Bonnen, M.D.; Rep. Mary Ann Perez; Panel Moderator Dr. Brenda Hellyer, chancellor, San Jacinto College District; Marcy Fryday, chair of BAHEP’s Political Protocol Committee that hosted the meeting; and BAHEP President Bob Mitchell. Sen. Carol Alvarado had to leave immediately following the discussion and is therefore not pictured.

ber (Dist. C) Abbie Kamin; Kemah Mayor Carl Joiner and City Council Members Robin Collins and Teresa Vazquez-Evans; Pearland Mayor Kevin Cole; Santa Fe Mayor Jason Tabor and City Council Member Fidencio Leija, Jr.; Galveston County Commissioner Ken Clark; Hitchcock Mayor Chris Armacost; Morgan’s Point Mayor Michel Bechtel; La Porte Mayor Luis Rigby; Taylor Lake Village Mayor Jon Keeney and City Council Member Jon Powell; Seabrook City Council Members Mike Giangrosso and Ed Klein; Pasadena City Council Member Thomas Schoenbein; Friendswood Mayor Mike Foreman and City Council Members Trish Hanks and Steve Rocky; Nassau Bay Mayor Bob Warters and City Council Members Ashley Graves and Sandra Mossman; Webster Mayor Pro Tem Beverly Gains; City of Clear Lake Shores Mayor Pro Tem Randy Chronister; League City Council Members Justin Hicks and Larry Millican; Clear Creek ISD Trustee Jonathan Cottrell; San Jacinto College Board of Trustees Chair Marie Flickinger and Board Trustee Dan Mims; Pasadena ISD Board Trustee Paola Gonzales Fusilier; and Melissa Washington, Government Relations director, Texas General Land Office.

Update Provided 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., provides updates to stakeholders across the nation.

BAHEP Marketing Manager CA Shields participates in

the CSFI meetings and tracks progress on congressional reauthorization of legislation. (Updates on flood insurance are posted on the BAHEP website at www.bayareahouston.com).

Aerospace Startup Support Community Discussed BAHEP President Bob Mitchell and Aerospace Marketing Manager Kim Morris have been meeting with Jack Fisher of Intuitive Machines and James Adams of Gallant Culture, a Houston marketing agency, to continue development of TexSpace, an Innovation Hub with the purpose of creating a nexus of civil, commercial, and military space where these sectors can innovate and accelerate together utilizing the many incubator, accelerator, venture capital, and facility assets in the Houston region.

TexSpace applied for and received an interim 501(c)(3) designation, conducts meetings with potential funding organizations, and continues to enhance its website.

AAC Briefed on Space Club Texas Chapter On Aug. 4, 2021, BAHEP’s Aerospace Advisory Committee was briefed by Charlie Stegemoeller, BAHEP board chair and senior director of Business Development, SAIC, on the possibility of forming a Texas chapter of the Space Club. The National Space Club is a non-profit association devoted to excellence in space activity and creating partnerships between industry and government in the aerospace community. A working session was held on Aug. 27, 2021, to begin developing the Space Club, Texas chapter, and documenting ideas around the charter and its structure.

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NASA JSC Director Vanessa Wyche Speaks During BAHEP Luncheon BAHEP hosted NASA Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa E. Wyche during a luncheon held Aug. 18, 2021, at the Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake.

When NASA Administrator Bill Nelson named Wyche as the new JSC director, she said, “As the home to America’s astronaut corps, International Space Station mission operations, the Orion and Gateway programs, and a host of future space developments, Johnson is a world leader in human space exploration and is playing a key role in the next giant leaps in American excellence in space. I look forward to working with everyone as we push forward to the Moon and inspire a new generation of explorers to reach for the stars.”

The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership hosted NASA Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa E. Wyche during a luncheon held Aug. 18, 2021, at the Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake. Shown l to r are: Bob Mitchell, president, BAHEP; State Sen. Larry Taylor; Director Wyche; Kelly Page, president, Barrios Technology; and Charlie Stegemoeller, chair, BAHEP Board of Directors and senior director of Business Development, SAIC.

Wyche’s “Giant Leaps Start Here” presentation to the BAHEP members highlighted the numerous programs and initiatives in which NASA JSC plays an active role. These include the International Space Station, Commercial Low-Earth Orbit, Private Astronaut Missions, Orion, Commercial Lunar Payload Services, Gateway, and Moon to Mars.

With the growth of commercial space companies and programs, community partnerships will be vital for the future of human space exploration. “We are part of an ecosystem is how I see it, and working together is how we will be able to bring more commercial opportunities to this area. I’m looking forward to us working and identifying ways that we can help as NASA to bring more companies to the area,” Wyche said.

Wyche is a native of South Carolina and earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Master of Science in Bioengineering from Clemson University.

Wyche was named JSC’s director earlier this year, becoming the first African American woman to hold the position. While acknowledging she is the first to break that barrier, she hopes she won’t be the last.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

The luncheon was attended by more than 225 business leaders, educators, and elected officials including State Senator Larry Taylor; Galveston County Commissioner Ken Clark; League City Mayor Pat Hallisey; Taylor Lake Village Council Member Jon Powell; Seabrook Council Member Ed Klein; La Porte Mayor Louis Rigby; Mark Mitchell representing Houston Mayor Pro Tem, Dist. E, Dave Martin; Pasadena Mayor Jeff Wagner; Kemah Mayor Carl Joiner; Friendswood Mayor Mike Foreman; Kelly Waterman, district director, Congressman Brian Babin, DDS; Jason Fuller, regional director, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz; Dawn McDonald, district director, State Rep. Dennis Paul; and Jared Bargas, field representative, U.S. Congressman Randy Weber.

Council of Mayors Addresses Municipal and County Issues during Recent Meetings BAHEP hosted its Council of Mayors meeting on Aug. 25, 2021, and Sept. 22, 2021. At both meetings, the mayors provided an update on their respective city and cooperatively addressed municipal and county issues ranging from drainage to coastal barrier to COVID 19 as well as the need for continued support

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of maintaining the North Houston Highway Improvement Project and the funding as proposed in the Texas Department of Transportation’s 2022 Unified Transportation Program (UTP). BAHEP’s Council of Mayors, representing communities in Galveston and Harris counties, as well as mayors and other elected officials from Brazoria and Montgomery counties, signed a resolution supporting the North Houston Highway Improvement Project.

The Council of Mayors includes mayors Pat Hallisey, League City; Carl Joiner, Kemah; Jon Keeney, Taylor Lake Village; Chris Armacost, Hitchcock; Michel Bechtel, Morgan’s Point; Sean Skipworth, Dickinson; Thom Kolupski, Seabrook; Louis Rigby, La Porte; Bob Warters, Nassau Bay; Mike Foreman, Friendswood; Kurt Otten, Clear Lake Shores; Paul Horn, Alvin; Jason Tabor, Santa Fe; Jeff Wagner, Pasadena; Donna Rogers, Webster; Shawn Findley, El Lago; Jerry Mouton, Deer Park; and Kevin Cole, Pearland. Also attending the council meetings are Galveston County Commissioner Ken Clark, Council Facilitator Glenn Freedman, Ph.D., BAHEP President Bob Mitchell, and BAHEP Membership Director Harriet Pilgrim.

Marketing Intuitive Machines Expansion at Houston Spaceport is Win for Bay Area Houston The City of Houston and the Houston Airport System announced that Intuitive Machines, a current tenant at the Houston Spaceport, will expand its operations there by building a 125,000-square-foot facility. The facility will be used for assembly and test operations to further develop its lunar lander, scheduled for early 2022. This expansion will bring the number of employees to 250.

BAHEP President Bob Mitchell said during a press conference on June 16, 2021, “This announcement today is huge.

In just a few short months, Intuitive Machines’ new Lunar Operations Center will be rising out of the ground here at the Houston Spaceport. This new facility will once again be showcasing Houston’s deep ties to the aerospace industry and to lunar flight operations.

“Every conceivable state-of-the art measure is being designed into this building. Having an aerospace manufacturing background, myself, I can’t wait to see what is coming.

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Innovations like the latest in additive manufacturing, advancements in lightweight and incredibly strong structural materials, and new composite technologies are just a few of the things that are in the works.”

BAHEP assisted Intuitive Machines with information on available economic development incentives and facility construction options. Mitchell was keynote speaker at the Intuitive Machines groundbreaking ceremony at the Houston Spaceport later in June.

Pasadena EDC Board Members Hear BAHEP Update from Dan Seal BAHEP Executive Director for Economic Development Dan Seal gave a report during the Pasadena Economic Development Corporation (PEDC) meeting on Aug. 26, 2021, on BAHEP’s special initiatives and economic development accomplishments that positively impact the City of Pasadena. The PEDC board commended BAHEP for all it has done for the City of Pasadena and the region.

BAHEP Participates in League City Prospect Meeting with European Company BAHEP was invited to participate in a prospect visit in League City on June 17, 2021, hosted by the City of League City and the League City Regional Chamber of Commerce. After meeting in the board room of the chamber’s office, the attendees had lunch at Red River BBQ to give the visitors a flavor of Texas cuisine. The company is headquartered in Europe; it has 2,000 employees with manufacturing facilities throughout Europe and Asia. Attending the meeting were the CEO/president and his wife and the CFO. The project encompasses a facility of 100,000 SF and approximately 100 – 200 employees.

BAHEP Markets Houston Spaceport at Space Symposium BAHEP Executive Director for Economic Development Dan Seal attended the 36th Space Symposium Aug. 2326, 2021, with Houston Airport System Marketing Specialist Jimmy Spence to connect with aerospace companies and explore opportunities surrounding the Houston Spaceport. The annual symposium is the premier event that brings together leaders in business, government, and academia to address and discuss the future of space. The symposium was held in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Seal developed 20 project leads during the symposium and will follow up with the business contacts to continue to explore opportunities.

Public Relations & Media Communications Resolution Created in Support of North Houston Highway Improvement Project The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership created a resolution in support of maintaining the North Houston

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Highway Improvement Project and funding as proposed in the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) 2022 Unified Transportation Program. The resolution was signed by 26 elected officials in Brazoria, Galveston, and Harris counties and delivered to TxDOT. Support Given for Harris County and City of Houston Initiative to Revitalize Clear Lake City Center BAHEP President Bob Mitchell wrote a letter supporting an initiative by Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia and Houston Mayor Pro-Tem and Dist. E City Council Member Dave Martin who are working together to make an application to and support respectively the HoustonGalveston Area Council Livable Centers Program which would engage local residents, research options for transportation and redevelopment, and provide recommendations and visual renderings of a future Clear Lake City Center.

BAHEP Provides Letter of Support for University of Houston at Clear Lake HSI STEM Grant BAHEP President Bob Mitchell wrote a letter to Dr. Kathy Matthew, associate vice president for Academic Affairs, University of Houston at Clear Lake (UHCL), stating, “BAHEP is pleased to support the UHCL proposal to the U.S. Department of Education Hispanic Serving Institutions Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (HSI STEM) and Articulation Program.”

Mitchell further stated, “If funded, we offer our support by working with UHCL to build partnerships with our 270 plus member companies to: 1) allow their employees to serve as volunteer mentors to students; 2) allow their employees to assist in the development of career workshops, online tools and training modules; 3) provide internships in their companies for students involved in this program. In addition, I or someone from my staff would be happy to judge the STEM Challenge activities one Saturday each year.”

Special Initiatives Storm Surge Protection Initiative for Bay Area Houston Governor Abbott Appoints Bob Mitchell to Gulf Coast Protection District Board On June 22, 2021, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott an-

BUSINESS BRIEFS

nounced his appointment of BAHEP President Bob Mitchell to the Board of Directors of the newlycreated Gulf Coast Protection District (GCPD).

Mitchell said, “This appointment is quite an honor for me, personally, but it also serves to recognize BAHEP, its staff, and the many partnerships we’ve established over the past 13 years in working to make the coastal barrier system a reality. I believe that we owe much of the credit to Dr. Bill Merrell of Texas A&M University. We stand where we are today due to his expertise, foresight, and tenacity following Hurricane Ike in 2008. I also must recognize our elected officials, Sen. Larry Taylor and Rep. Dennis Paul, who championed the legislation that established the GCPD. It absolutely took a monumental, regional effort to get this accomplished. I am very excited to move forward with the other members of the board as we work together to build the coastal barrier system.”

Abbott’s news release stated in part, “The Gulf Coast Protection District (GCPD) was created by the legislature to operate and leverage funding to build the unique flood control and surge protection needs for coastal communities. When completed, the Coastal Texas study Bob Mitchell will be the largest civil works project in US history. Like the seawall before it, this system will protect our state and national economy and millions of Texans for generations to come.”

Mitchell joins fellow appointees Sally Bakko, director, Policy and Government Relations, City of Galveston; Morgan’s Point Mayor Michel Bechel; Port Houston Executive Director Roger Guenther; Lori J. Traweek, CEO and General Manager of the Gulf Coast Authority (retired); and Michael VanDerSnick, senior vice president of Americas Manufacturing for LyondellBasell, on the board. Additionally, Nicole Sunstrum will serve as the temporary Executive Director. Their terms will expire on June 16, 2025.

BAHEP Hosts GCPD Board Meetings Bob Mitchell, BAHEP president, hosted the Gulf Coast Protection District (GCPD) Board of Directors in the BAHEP board room on Aug. 18th and Sept.

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BAHEP Hosts Meeting on Texas Coastal Barrier Innovative Funding and Financing Opportunities BAHEP hosted a meeting on June 23, 2021, for a panel discussion on Innovative Funding and Financing Opportunities for the Texas Coastal Spine. Panelists and speakers included Shalini Vajjhala, CEO, re:focus partners; Jose Peralta, National Practice, Aon; Romain Limouzin, COO, Meridiam North America; and BAHEP President Bob Mitchell.

Others participating in the discussions included Roger Guenther, executive director, Port Houston; State Rep. Dennis Paul (District 129); Morgan’s Point Mayor Michel Bechtel; Taylor Lake Village Mayor Jon Keeney; Congressman Brian Babin, DDS, represented by Kelly Waterman; Galveston Bay Storm Surge Barrier System as seen in the Coastal Congressman Randy Weber repTexas Protection and Restoration Feasibility Study Final Report resented by Bill Christian; Houston Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin represented by Mark Mitchell; and 8th. The meetings were open to the public and included BAHEP Executive Director for Economic Development Nicole Sunstrum, executive director of the District. Texas Dan Seal.

State Sen. Larry Taylor, Orange County Judge John Gothia, and Dr. Kelly Burks-Copes, United States Army The purpose of the panel discussion was to continue to Corps of Engineers (USACE). develop strategies to provide matching local funds for the anticipated federal funding to construct the Coastal BarriSunstrum gave a presentation on the legislative creation er and funds to operate and maintain the barrier. Options of the District, which includes Chambers, Galveston, include resilience bonds, and the panel discussed strateHarris, Jefferson, and Orange counties. She also disgies for pooling the beneficiaries. The Coastal Barrier cussed the purposes of the District to serve as the nonwill protect counties along the Upper Texas Coast from federal sponsor for federally-authorized projects from the storm surge flooding such as the counties experienced Sabine Pass to Galveston Bay Coastal Storm Risk Manduring Hurricane Ike in 2008. agement Program and projects that receive future federal authorization from the Coastal Texas Protection and ResBob Mitchell Participates in Corps toration Feasibility Study located in the five District of Engineers’ Tour of Coastal Barrier counties.

A delegation from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Headquarters received a briefing and tour led Dr. Burks-Copes gave a presentation on the projects evalby USACE Galveston District personnel on the Texas uated by the USACE as part of the Coastal Texas Study.

Coastal Project (Coastal Barrier) including the Ring BarDiscussion ensued regarding the process and timeline for rier around Galveston Island. The delegates were Alvin pursuing federal authorization and funding for projects in Lee, director of Civil Works; Eric Bush, chief of Planthe Coastal Texas Study upon the execution of the Final ning and Policy; and David Leach, deputy assistant secreReport. tary of the Army.

During the meeting, a motion was made and seconded to retain Sunstrum as the GCPD’s Executive Director to be effective when funding is in place and upon mutually agreeable terms. It was also determined to hold quarterly meetings at alternative locations within the District.

Tour stops included Port of Galveston, City of Galveston, and Morgan’s Point. Representatives from these organizations, along with BAHEP President Bob Mitchell, shared their viewpoints on the Texas Coastal Project.

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Preserve NASA Funding Levels Citizens for Space Exploration Advocate for NASA Budget and Missions Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, BAHEP’s Citizen for Space Exploration (CSE) subcommittee advocated virtually on Capitol Hill for human space exploration with a virtual trip in early March to meet with freshman representatives of the 117th Congress and again on June 15-17, 2021. To advocate virtually, CSE gathered 91 community members, including 24 college students from across the nation, many of whom made the trip to Capitol Hill in May 2019.

The virtual CSE travelers met with 336 congressional representative offices in scheduled virtual appointments to advocate for human space exploration and deliver CSE’s message.

BAHEP Aerospace Marketing Manager Kim Morris began meeting virtually with CSE’s national partners during April and May to plan these June virtual congressional meetings. The planning focused on developing the messages for the 117th Congress and the logistics associated with scheduling and executing virtual visits with the congressional offices.

Mitchell Attends Space Industry Dinner and Dialogue with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson BAHEP President Bob Mitchell and aerospace executives joined NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and NASA Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche for a discussion of space issues of regional importance during a reception and dinner that was organized by U.S. Congressman Brian Babin, DDS, (TX 36). Congressman Babin convenes an annual space industry dinner to facilitate communications between NASA and various stakeholders.

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 and workforce 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.

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BayTech Receives Grant for Certified Manufacturing Technician Training BayTech has been awarded a Wagner-Peyser grant through the Texas Governor’s Office. The goal is to train 50 unemployed high school graduates and others unemployed as certified aerospace composite technicians and certified aerospace electrical technicians. This training will be delivered by the San Jacinto College EDGE Center for advanced manufacturing training located at the Houston Spaceport.

Students who complete the training and pass a composites or electrical SpaceTEC/CertTEC certification test will be awarded this nationally recognized industry certification. BayTech will work with industry partners to identify potential internship opportunities for these students during and after their training and, once they have successfully completed the training, facilitate the students’ placement into industry thereby helping to create a pipeline of needed technician talent.

BayTech Supports NASA Johnson Space Center Test Facility For calendar year 2021 to date, BayTech has executed approximately $130,000 in agreements with commercial companies for the use of NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) facilities and capabilities with more projects being planned. The customers BayTech supports with this work include traditional aerospace organizations, oil and gas suppliers, and electrical and hardware suppliers with several new companies seeking this support in 2021.

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 Provides Assistance to Medical Device Manufacturer Starling Medical LLC was provided design modifica-

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tions for its intraurethral catheter pump for people with neurogenic bladder dysfunction. The recommendations were provided by SATOP Alliance Partner Texas A&M University at College Station. This technical assistance allows Starling Medical to continue development of its innovative medical device. This project will be highlighted in an upcoming SATOP newsletter. The company is located in the City of Houston.

SATOP Promotes Free Technical Assistance to Small Businesses SATOP promotes its free technical assistance program to small business owners and entrepreneurs through exhibits at tradeshows and presentations to business groups. Below are three recent events that SATOP attended to promote the program.

Wellness and Business Expo Hosted by Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce SATOP exhibited its free technical assistance program to small businesses visiting its booth at the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Wellness and Business Expo on Aug. 19, 2021. More than 50 small businesses visited the SATOP booth to learn about the free technical assistance program.

Payne Attends Eighth Annual Bayou Startup Showcase SATOP Director Bob Payne attended the Eighth Annual Bayou Startup Showcase at The Cannon West in Houston, Texas, on Aug. 4, 2021, to promote the free technical assistance program to 20 startups from the Rice University and the University of Houston entrepreneurship programs. Four of the startups expressed interest in the program, and one startup, Markus AI, has entered the program to get help with identifying a power source for an innovative product that is designed to mitigate autism meltdowns. Payne also networked with attendees to promote the program.

SATOP Promotes Services to Houston Inventors Association SATOP Project Engineer CA Shields and Program Director Bob Payne gave a virtual presentation to the attendees of the Houston Inventors Association meeting on June 16, 2021, to promote the free technical assistance program. Members of the organization include inventors, investors, patent attorneys, prototype manufacturers, and marketing specialists.

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 members in 2021 are shown in boldface.

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Acadian Ambulance Service ACU of Texas Advantage BMW Mini of Clear Lake AECOM Aegis Aerospace Inc. The Aerospace Corporation AeroSys, LLC AEXA Aerospace, LLC Airbus DS Space Systems, Inc. All Points Logistics, LLC Allegiance Bank Texas Alvin Community College The AM Agency Amazon Web Services American Acryl American Heart Association AMOCO Federal Credit Union Anadarko Industries, LLC Archer Group ARES Aerospace and Technology Services ASRC Federal AssuredPartners, Inc. Aulds Media Holdings LLC / i45 NOW AVERA Companies Axiom Space, Inc. Ayrshire Corporation Bay Area Coastal Protection Alliance Bay Area Commercial Real Estate Network (BACREN) Bay Area Council on Drugs & Alcohol Bancorp South Bank Barlow Jones, L.L.P. 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 Baybrook Mall - Brookfield Properties Bay Area Houston Advanced Technology Consortium (BayTech) Beacon Federal Credit Union BMWC Constructors The Boeing Company Booz Allen Hamilton Bowers & Sadler, LLP Brewer Construction Services The Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Inc. Burns & McDonnell Capital Bank - Pasadena Clear Creek Independent School District CDS Community Development Strategies CenterPoint Energy Chemical Educational Foundation Chemical Process and Production, Inc. CHI St. Luke’s Health Patients Medical Center

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Cimarron City of Clear Lake Shores City of Dickinson City of El Lago City of Friendswood City of Hitchcock City of Houston City of Houston, Houston Airport System 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 Santa Fe City of Seabrook City of Taylor Lake Village City of Webster CIVET Real Estate CLC Properties 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 Inc. Criss Cross Commercial Group Crowder Funeral Homes 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 ISD Draper Laboratory 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

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Fast Signs - Clear Lake Felicis Properties, Inc. Friendswood Chamber of Commerce Friendswood ISD Frost Bank Galveston Bay Foundation Galveston County Galveston County Daily News Galveston Economic Development Partnership Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce GB Tech, Inc. GeoControl Systems, Inc. Greater Houston Partnership Greer, Herz & Adams, LLP Gregg & Gregg, P.C. Griffin Communications Group Griffin Partners, Inc. 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 Health & Safety Council Higginbotham HIGHER Up Texas Highpoint Insurance Group, LLC Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake HomeTown Bank, N. A. Houston Association of Realtors Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital Houston Precision Fasteners Illuminate Video ImageNet Consulting Implemetrics Intuitive Machines, LLC J&P Technologies J. A. Billipp Company Jacobs J E Dunn 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.

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La Porte Independent School District Lakewood Yacht Club The Law Office of Phil Griffis League City Regional Chamber of Commerce Leidos Lexus of Clear Lake Lighthouse Video Surveillance Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company Lockridge Packaging, LLC Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. Logical Innovations, Inc. Lone Star Flight Museum MadisonMarquette Marsh Darcy Partners, Inc. MDT Financial Advisors, LLC Meador Staffing Services, Inc. Media Riders, Inc. Medistar Corporation Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital Mercedes-Benz of Clear Lake Merrill Lynch Monica Millican Minuteman Press - Bay Area Moody Bank MRI Technologies MRM Proposal Solutions Murrah & Killough, PLLC 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 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 Perry’s Restaurant Group PINK Corporate Lodging LLC The POM Group, LLC Port Houston The Ray Tax Group Raytheon Technologies

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The Rothe Companies—Houston Operations Royal Harbor Partners, LLC S&K Global Solutions SAIC San Jacinto College District Sandler Training Santa Fe ISD Savills, Inc. Schaumburg & Polk, Inc. Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (SSAI) Shriners Children’s Texas 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 Star Service, Inc. Summit Management Group TechTrans International (TTI) Teledyne Brown Engineering Tellepsen Terracon Consultants, Inc. Texan Bank Texas A&M University at Galveston Texas Chiropractic College Texas Citizens Bank Thrivent Financial Tommy’s Restaurant Oyster Bar Truist Bank Trustmark National Bank, Texas TXU Energy UHCL Center -Economic Development & Research United Airlines United Equities, Inc. Universities Space Research Association-USRA University of Houston-Clear Lake The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Uprite Services UTMB Health Veritex Community Bank Welcome Group, LLC Wells Fargo Business Banking Wile Interests Wendell Wilson & Dr. Pat Potter Wilson Wings Over Houston Air Show YMCA of Greater Houston Zann Commercial Brokerage, Inc.

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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 280 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 16 member cities, Galveston and Harris counties, the Houston Airport System, and Port Houston.

Clear Lake Shores Dickinson El Lago Friendswood Hitchcock Houston Kemah La Porte League City Morgan’s Point Nassau Bay Pasadena Santa Fe 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.