Business Briefs

Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership

Letter From the President

It’s a new year, and I wish all of you the very best as we walk this new path united in our purpose. I want to begin by expressing how appreciative I am for the opportunity to serve as president of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership. BAHEP is an outstanding organization due in large part to the guidance provided by our board and the effective participation of our members. Your expertise over many years has provided the basis for BAHEP’s successful endeavors. I look forward to continuing and building upon this valued relationship with you all.

I’m also grateful for the guidance provided in BAHEP’s 2022-2024 Strategic Plan. The plan’s vision is to “Stimulate Sustainable, Long-Term Economic Prosperity for Bay Area Houston.” By adhering to the directives outlined within the Strategic Plan, we will continue our work of supporting and expanding upon the already great economic vitality of the region.

The groundwork has already been laid for many of BAHEP’s 2023 initiatives. We are well prepared to advocate for regional interests, including specific items for each industry clus- ter, during the 88th Texas Legislature. This is due to the monthslong efforts of our Political Protocol Committee and Council of Mayors. BAHEP and its partners will make multiple trips to Austin between January and the end of May to emphasize the legislative agenda items that we’ve discussed with our regional representatives during meetings held last year. Sens. Mayes Middleton and Carol Alvarado and Reps. Greg Bonnen, MD, Dennis Paul, Briscoe Cain, Ana Hernandez, Mary Ann Perez, and Ed Thompson have been great champions for BAHEP and our region. I commend their efforts and appreciate their support. We will also make several trips to Washington, D.C., to support NASA, storm surge protection, and several other issues.

Activity in each of the regional industry clusters is flourishing: NASA’s budget was just approved for $25.4B, up from $24B last year, and we con- tinue to work on a number of projects related to NASA, the Houston Spaceport, and the broader aerospace industry. Travel is booming, and we are excited to welcome Great Wolf Lodge, Compass by Margaritaville, and others to the region in 2023. The healthcare and specialty chemical industries continue to thrive and expand with numerous new projects and many more in the pipeline. The maritime and logistics industries remain strong, and the new opportunities in transportation will further increase their capacity to remain on track. Finally, just before Christmas, the Coastal Barrier System was formally authorized by Congress with the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act; so, now our focus will turn to appropriations.

Metro Houston created 108,600 jobs through the first nine months 0f 2022. That makes the year the fifthbest on record for job growth. Houston should end ’22 with a net gain of 130,000 or more jobs.

I would like to thank Bob Mitchell for his years of service to this organization, Kenny Koncaba for his leadership as Chairman of the Board through a year of major transition, and Tim Kropp, Gwen Griffin, John Mulholland, and Jennifer Bowers for their commitments to the organization as the 2023 officers: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer, respectively.

BAHEP is a recognized leader in regional economic development from the Houston Mayor’s Office to the Texas State Capitol to Capitol Hill in Washington. I’m excited to see what the future holds as we all work to create that future together.

Brian Freedman President

Special Honors

Tribute to Senator Larry Taylor Hosted

by BAHEP

BAHEP honored State Sen. Larry Taylor (Dist. 11) during a tribute on Nov. 2, 2022, at the Waters Edge Venue. Sen. Taylor, who is not seeking re-election, was recognized for his 20 years of service to the region, first as state representative, then as state senator.

The event was attended by more than 150 business leaders, educators, and elected officials including State Sen. –elect Mayes Middleton, State Rep. Greg Bonnen, MD, State Rep. Dennis Paul, Seabrook Mayor Tom Kolupski, Pasade- na Mayor Jeff Wagner, Kemah Mayor

Carl Joiner, Friendswood Mayor Mike Foreman, Taylor Lake Village Mayor

Jon Kenney, Morgan’s Point Mayor

Michel Bechtel, Houston Mayor Pro

Tem Dave Martin, Kemah City Council Members Robin Collins and Teresa

Evans, Pasadena City Council Member

Don Harrison, Nassau Bay City Council Member Ashley Graves, Seabrook

City Council Member Michael Giangrosso, San Jacinto College Board

Chair Marie Flickinger, Clear Creek

ISD Board Member Jeff Larson, and then CCISD Interim Superintendent

Karen Engle.