Skip to main content

Partnership Reports 26 Economic Development Wins in '21

Published Feb 09, 2022 by A.J. Mistretta

Minute Maid

Despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, the Houston region continued to see both domestic and international business expansions and relocation activity in 2021. The Partnership and its regional allies assisted in 26 economic development projects, accounting for over $922 million in capital expenditure and over 2,900 new jobs to the region.

These include: 

  • Aegle Management, a high-quality American-made PPE manufacturer and health-tech company, said it will open a manufacturing facility in Brookshire.
  • Archaea Energy, one of the largest renewable natural gas producers in the U.S., is relocating its corporate headquarters to a 40,000-square-foot office space in Houston.
  • Capsule, a New York City-based leading digital pharmacy, will expand to Houston with a hub for its pharmacists, pharmacy techs and delivery drivers. The company plans to grow its local team to more than 100 employees over the next year.
  • Chewy.com, an online pet supply retailer, is expanding its distribution network with a 700,000-square-foot facility in Houston.
  • Dayton Street Partners, a Chicago-based real estate investment firm, has acquired a 500,000-square-foot logistics center in northeast Houston. The company is planning a multimillion-dollar renovation of the terminal and the development of an additional 25 acres.
  • First Bank of Taiwan, one of the world’s leading banks, opened its first branch in Houston. This is the first Taiwanese bank to establish operations in Texas. The Houston Branch will provide a full range of financial services to meet the operating need of overseas Taiwanese enterprises.
  • Fluence Analytics, a venture-backed startup that provides patented process analytics and control solutions to polymer and biopharmaceutical manufacturers, announced the relocation of its headquarters from New Orleans to Stafford, Texas with more than 5,600 square feet of office, manufacturing and laboratory space.
  • Haldor Topsoe, a Denmark-based global leader in catalysis and process technology, will build a 15,000-ton-per-year hydroprocessing catalyst plant at the company’s existing Bayport production site in Pasadena, Texas.
  • Han’s Laser, a Chinese national laser equipment supplier, opened a Houston office that will support its marketing, R&D, assembly plant and more.
  • Hobas Pipe USA, an Austria-based global manufacturer of pipe systems, is expanding in the Houston region with a facility that will support three new product lines.
  • Honeywell International Inc. moved its Performance Materials and Technologies business division to Houston, increasing the company’s Houston headcount to more than 850 employees. Honeywell also plans to open a new Customer Excellence Center on the CityWestPlace campus to showcase its technologies aimed at improving efficiency and profitability for industrial clients.
  • JPMorgan Chase, returned to its namesake building and Downtown Houston’s tallest tower, with a 250,000-square-foot lease. The bank is planning major renovation of the building lobby, outdoor plaza, and amenities. As part of this move, JPMorgan Chase will relocate its Houston Technology Center, which employs more than 1,500 people.
  • Neurogene, a biotech company focused on genetic medicines for patients affected by rare neurological diseases, announced plans to convert a 19,000-square-foot building into manufacturing facility to support research and development efforts.
  • The Financial Times and Nikkei are opening the first joint bureau in their international editorial network in Houston to strengthen coverage of the energy industry.
  • NRG Energy, a Fortune 500 energy company with 3,000 local employees, announced it has designated Houston as its sole headquarters with plans for continued expansion.
  • ProDevice Corp., a leader in modern technologies for storage media data destruction, announced an expansion to Houston with an office that will manage the company’s North and South American operations.
  • Puro Bioplastics, a New York based provider of sustainable bioplastic solutions, is setting up manufacturing operations in a 20,000-square-foot facility in Houston.
  • Quanta Services, a Houston-based company leading in specialized contracting services for the energy industry and others, will expand its headquarters office.
  • Sourcepoint Mortgage, a leader in mortgage business process management service, is expanding to Houston with a 35,000-square-foot office.
  • Stream Flo, a Canadian manufacturer supporting the oil and gas industry, said it will expand to Houston to support the manufacturing of a new product line.
  • Super Cement, a company based in the United Arab Emirates, will build a green cement factory in Houston designed to lower the greenhouse gas effect.
  • Talaris Therapeutics, a Kentucky-based biopharma company, opened a research facility in Houston to focus on process and analytical development.
  • Texas MedPlast, an Argentinian manufacturer of PPE products, opened a manufacturing facility in Houston.
  • Transocean, a leading international provider of offshore contract drilling services, is expanding and updating technology and software platforms used with offshore rigs and mobile fleets in the Houston Gulf Coast.
  • UPS, a global leader in distribution and logistics, will replace its existing Houston facility with a state-of-the-art 660,000-square-foot packaging and sorting facility.
  • World Recycled Products, a California-based company that developed a proprietary tech to utilize recycled products, recently opened a 34,000-square-foot facility in Waller.

The Houston region further solidified its position as a top U.S. metro for business relocations and expansions, with a total of more than 231 announced projects. Of those projects, 24% disclosed jobs tied to the announcement, amounting to over 10,520 jobs, and 15% disclosed capital expenditure totaling $3.4 billion.

Learn more about the Partnership's work in economic development and other focus areas in the organization's 2021 Annual Report

 

Related News

Economic Development

Houston Day: Bridging Houston and Texas Lawmakers

12/20/24
What does it take to showcase Houston’s extraordinary contributions to Texas? For the Greater Houston Partnership, the answer was Houston Day. The transformative event gave state legislators a firsthand look at the industries and innovations driving one of the most dynamic regions in the country. Over two days in early 2024, 57 Texas lawmakers and other attendees explored Houston’s core sectors, experiencing the city’s impact on the state’s economy and culture. The event wasn’t just a tour but a strategic opportunity to connect lawmakers with the people and industries shaping Texas’ future. A Journey Through Houston’s Vital Sectors The experience began at Port Houston, a hub of economic activity essential to Texas’ position as a global trade leader. Legislators saw the port’s operations up close and learned about the evolution of the Houston Ship Channel, the energy transition, and the Coastal Texas Program’s flood mitigation efforts. From there, the focus shifted to Houston’s renowned space industry. Visits to the Johnson Space Center-NASA and Space Center Houston highlighted Houston’s legacy of innovation and the recent investments fueling the Texas Space Commission. The day concluded with a private dinner at Minute Maid Park, where Mayor John Whitmire underscored the importance of collaboration between local and state leaders. Showcasing Innovation and Heritage The final day of Houston Day spotlighted Houston’s cutting-edge advancements and cultural heritage. At Air Liquide’s La Porte Hydrogen facility, legislators explored groundbreaking technologies driving the energy transition. Later, a visit to the Texas Medical Center’s Helix Park showcased Houston’s leadership in medical research and health care innovation. The event culminated at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, celebrating the rich cultural fabric of Texas. Why Houston Day Matters “I was honored to showcase Houston’s vibrant contributions to the economy, space innovation, and leadership in the medical and energy sectors to my colleagues at the Legislature. It’s no longer just words on a page or something discussed in a committee meeting—they’ve experienced it all.” -State Senator Carol Alvarado. For the Greater Houston Partnership, Houston Day was a resounding success. By connecting lawmakers directly with Houston’s industries, the event reinforced the city’s significance to Texas and laid the groundwork for future collaboration. By the Numbers: 57 legislators and four state agencies in attendance 162 total attendees 180+ miles traveled, covering over $1 trillion in economic impact 20+ industrial and commercial sectors highlighted Eight stops representing approximately $252.5 billion in state investments Houston Day exemplifies how the Greater Houston Partnership brings leaders together to build understanding, foster collaboration, and drive progress for the region and beyond. Learn more about the Partnership's public policy efforts. Download the Partnership's 2024 Impact Report.
Read More
Economic Development

San Jacinto College and CellReady Launch Program to Accelerate Cell Therapy Workforce Development

12/17/24
PASADENA, Texas – The San Jacinto College Center for Biotechnology has partnered with CellReady, a privately held cell therapy contract development and manufacturing organization, to launch an innovative, fast-track training curriculum for new hires in biomanufacturing. This four-week program is designed to significantly shorten onboarding time for manufacturing associates, providing them with concentrated and rigorous hands-on training to jumpstart their readiness to work in advanced cell therapy manufacturing.  Over the course of the program, trainees undergo 160 hours of both theoretical and practical, hands-on learning that cover the fundamentals of biomanufacturing through the operation of advanced workflows. The curriculum prepares new hires for the production of cell therapies, a cutting-edge cancer treatment, using the G-Rex cell production platform. The training, which took place at CellReady’s manufacturing site in Houston, was delivered by San Jacinto College Biotechnology faculty members, in collaboration with CellReady’s training team. “To our knowledge, this is the first collaboration of its kind between a community college and a cell therapy manufacturer to develop an intensive onboarding curriculum tailored specifically for cell therapy manufacturing technicians,” said Dr. Chris Wild, San Jacinto College assistant vice chancellor of biotechnology. “Together with CellReady, we’ve created a path to rapidly train professionals with advanced, hands-on techniques, using the G-Rex cell production platform, which is widely used in the industry today.”  This joint initiative provides clear benefits to all stakeholders. For San Jacinto College, it underscores the institution’s commitment to meeting industry needs with innovative, real-world training.  CellReady gains a streamlined, effective approach to onboarding that enables new technicians to make an immediate impact post-training. At the conclusion of the program, trainees are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to manufacture cell therapies. Dr. Ignacio Nunez, CellReady’s chief operating officer, was impressed with the training provided and the speed that employees were able to grasp the critical components of the manufacturing process, stating “Thanks to the training program developed and delivered by San Jacinto College and CellReady, we were able to provide our new hires with the essential knowledge and skills to work in a GMP environment. In collaboration with San Jacinto College, we have debottlenecked operator qualification and made great strides toward our mission of bringing more of these life-saving therapies to patients one G-Rex at a time.” “This program not only equips new team members with qualifiable skills to contribute immediately upon completion of the training program, but it also sets a new standard for how training can be delivered in a highly regulated field,” said Dr. Nicole Bradley, program director for the Center for Biotechnology. The program’s success has inspired plans for additional training sessions to onboard future manufacturing professionals at CellReady, further strengthening the relationship between San Jacinto College and CellReady. The training curriculum for cell therapy developed in collaboration with this industry leader will be available as a program offering through the San Jacinto Center for Biotechnology. About CellReady CellReady is the world's first and only G-Rex centric contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specializing in G-Rex based cell and gene-modified cell therapy development and manufacturing. The company offers a wide range of services to support the development and commercialization of these therapies. CellReady's mission is to create hope for cancer patients, one G-Rex® process at a time. About San Jacinto College Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris County, Texas, since 1961. The College is one of the top 10 community colleges in the nation as designated by the Aspen Institute and was named an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020. The College is a Hispanic-Serving Institution that spans five campuses, serving approximately 45,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding bond ratings of AA+ by Standard & Poor’s and Aa2 by Moody’s.
Read More

Related Events

Executive Partners