Information, Resources and Services

Houston is business friendly. You don’t have to go it alone when you get started, expand or relocate your company in Houston. Entities including the Greater Houston Partnership and the University of Houston’s Small Business Development Center will provide all you need to know to grow your business. Check out the following for a wealth of information and assistance.

Information

The Partnership’s Business Development Division provides site selection data, including:

  • Real estate, sites and facilities
  • Community, economic and demographic profiles
  • Workforce and job-training programs
  • Taxes and tax incentives
  • Employee relocation
  • Foreign trade zones and enterprise zones

Assistance

Partnership economic development specialists act as your confidential liaisons with city, county, school district officials, business leaders and other allies to provide these services:

  • Coordinating your site-selection trips to Houston
  • Helping you secure incentives
  • Facilitating your company’s permitting process
  • Providing personalized briefings and orientations
  • Coordinating with the Port of Houston, foreign trade zones railroads and Utilities
  • Coordinating public relations and information flow to the media

Greater Houston Partnership Publications and Aids

Services and Resources

  • Houston Minority Business Council – certifies minority business enterprises for the private and public sectors
  • Business, Science and Technology Department of the Houston Public Library
  • City of Houston’s One-Stop Business Center– provides information on the regulatory requirements for starting or expanding a business in Houston through Getting Started Packets
  • Small Business Administration – supports entrepreneurship through a vast array of resource partners focuses on delivering results for small businesses by being accountable, accessible and responsive
  • Texas Economic Development – provides information on locating in Texas, financial programs, assisting in exporting and starting a business
  • University of Houston Small Business Development Center – provides technical and management assistance through free, one-on-one consulting and affordable training to help business grow
  • Direct Business Assistance – provides a consultant to help determine a company’s professional needs and then provide three referrals for each service required; discounted fee schedules for the first 16 hours of consultation, with the first two hours free; an advisory board of directors provides objective insight into problem-solving, planning, evaluating results and other major management responsibilities