The Greater Houston Partnership celebrates our members making important announcements and sharing news about their operations and impact in our region. Learn more about some of those announcements over the last month below. Business Moves (breaking ground, expansion, business’ moving to Houston) Corebridge Financial debuts on the Fortune 500 list at No. 224, with $18.78 billion in 2024 revenue, joining 25 other Houston corporations including Exxon Mobil and Chevron.  Fervo Energy, a Houston-based company now valued at over $1 billion, secures fifth on LexisNexis's 10 Most Innovative Startups in Texas report. The company recently fully contracted its 500-megawatt Cape Station geothermal development, which is expected to begin delivering electricity in 2026. Fervo Energy secures $206 million in new financing to support its flagship 500-megawatt Cape Station geothermal project in Utah. Greentown Labs and MassChallenge form a strategic partnership to support early-stage climatetech startups, leveraging their combined expertise and networks. This collaboration aims to strengthen the ecosystem for these companies by providing mentorship, support, and broader commercialization opportunities.  Hilcorp Energy plans a $4.5 million renovation of the 13th floor at its 1111 Travis St. headquarters. This is the latest in a series of renovations for the 24-story tower, which Hilcorp has occupied since 2016.  Houston Dynamo FC adds International Money Express as a new partner, continuing its sponsorship growth. The company will have the naming rights to Shell Energy Stadium's northeast gate, which will be renamed Intermex Gate. Landry’s Inc. plans to convert the two-story, 5,650-square-foot former Joe's Crab Shack at 7 Kemah Boardwalk Waterfront Drive into an entrance building for a new water park. The estimated $435,000 project is slated to start in July and finish by the end of next March. Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital will begin its third expansion this fall, a $277.5 million privately funded project. This expansion will add two new buildings, including a six-story Patient Bed Tower that will house TIRR Memorial Hermann inpatient rehab and increase the hospital's licensed bed count to 201.  Sueba USA breaks ground on a 346-unit apartment complex, "Missouri City 1," in Fort Bend Town Center in Missouri City, with completion expected by fall 2026. The development, located near a Metro Park and Ride, will offer studio to three-bedroom units ranging from 496 to 2,088 square feet. The Signorelli Co. secures two new large tenants for its 240-acre Valley Ranch Town Center mixed-use development: Books-A-Million will occupy a 12,000-square-foot space, and Havertys Furniture will open a 41,500-square-foot showroom, with both scheduled to open this fall.  Education Harmony Public Schools is set to open its first STEM-focused campus at City Place on August 13 for the 2025-26 school year, serving students from pre-K through sixth grade. This campus is part of a larger development that will eventually include middle and high schools on a 28.9-acre site.  Rice University's Owl Spark and the University of Houston's RED Labs launch their summer 2025 accelerators, featuring a total of 20 student ventures focused on various sectors like technology and healthcare. These programs will culminate in The Bayou Startup Showcase in July.  University of Houston launches the Centennial Construction Project, a $43 million initiative aiming to transform the campus core, creating more pedestrian-friendly spaces, including a new Centennial Plaza and enhancements to Wilhelmina's Grove. University of Houston-Downtown has relocated its Career Center Annex, Office of Alumni Relations, and Office of Continuing Education to "The Launchpad" at 1801 Main St. to enhance post-degree success and career mobility. Additionally, UHD is establishing the Center for Crime, Urban Research and Education (C-CURE) at The Launchpad, aiming to provide technical assistance and foster research-driven solutions for complex challenges in the greater Houston area. Health Care Houston Methodist holds first place among large health systems in Premier's 15 Top Health Systems in the United States, an annual ranking based on clinical outcomes, operational efficiency, and patient experience. Several of its individual hospitals also received high rankings in various categories within Premier's Top 100 Hospitals list, alongside HCA Houston Healthcare facilities.  Innovation  Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital introduces a new robotic bronchoscopy system for early lung cancer detection, marking the first time this minimally invasive technology is available in Fort Bend County.  Rice University's student-led Rice Wind Energy team secured second place overall at the U.S. Department of Energy's 2025 Collegiate Wind Competition. The competition, which challenges students to design and build wind turbines, develop projects, and engage in public outreach, saw over 40 teams compete with only 12 reaching the finals.  Syzygy Plasmonics begins developing NovaSAF 1 in Uruguay, the world's first electrified facility designed to convert biogas into over 350,000 gallons of sustainable aviation fuel annually. University of Houston's BRAIN Center and TIRR Memorial Hermann develop MyoStep, a soft, lightweight exoskeleton designed to help children with cerebral palsy improve motor function. This innovative device includes a wireless sensor network for real-time data collection and safety features, offering a discreet solution for motor impairments.  Transportation  Houston ISD undergoes the first steps for a free METRO bus pass partnership for its roughly 50,000 high school students. This agreement will allow eligible HISD students to use Metro's existing transit system at a negotiated rate. Southwest Airlines is finalizing its first transpacific partnership with Taiwan-based China Airlines, allowing for single-ticket itineraries between their services. The partnership is set to launch in early 2026, with routes becoming available for purchase later this year.  If you are a member and want us to help communicate news about your organization, please send a press release or information about the announcement to member.engagement@houston.org and we will share it with our content team for possible inclusion in an upcoming roundup. Learn more about Partnership membership.

As the global energy landscape continues to evolve, Houston remains at the center of the conversation. The Greater Houston Partnership’s Public Policy Energy Advisory Committee supporting efforts to ensure our region stays competitive, sustainable, and future-ready. Chaired by Jonathan Cox, Global Co-Head of Natural Resources Investment Banking at JPMorgan Chase, the committee convenes key leaders from across the sector to shape energy policy and drive innovation at the local, state, and federal levels. “Everyone has gotten the memo around inbound U.S. investment being critically important,” said Cox. “There’s a tremendous enthusiasm for putting capital, jobs, and infrastructure in the U.S., especially in Texas.” What the Committee is Focused On In 2025, the Energy Advisory Committee is focused on strategies to maintain Houston’s energy leadership while navigating a changing policy and investment environment. Key priorities include: Permitting Reform & Infrastructure Advocacy: Supporting clearer permitting timelines and reforms at both federal and state levels to accelerate CCS, LNG, and nuclear projects. Clean Energy & Technology: Promoting policies that advance emerging technologies like small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), carbon capture, and clean hydrogen. Electric Grid Modernization: Advocating for reliability, affordability, and long-term energy planning to meet growing demand in the Houston region. Federal & State Policy Alignment: Tracking shifts from sustainability to reliability in federal priorities, while supporting Texas legislation like H.B. 14, which allocates $2B toward advanced nuclear supply chain development. Energy Workforce & R&D: Ensuring Houston has the talent pipeline and R&D infrastructure to remain competitive as the energy sector transforms. “The places where tomorrow’s energy breakthroughs will be invented may not be here unless we act,” Cox noted. “We have to be at the forefront of energy R&D.” What We’re Hearing from Members During the Q2 committee meeting, a roundtable discussion revealed key business concerns and opportunities. These included: Ensuring policy consistency and fiscal incentives to reduce investment uncertainty Advancing clean energy innovation while recognizing the essential role of traditional energy in driving low-carbon solutions Elevating Houston’s role in domestic and international energy investment Increasing collaboration across government, academia, and industry “We’re in a world where we need more energy—not less,” said Cox. “The idea that we can subtract our way to energy transition just doesn’t work technologically.” Looking Ahead: A Platform for Progress The Partnership will continue engaging members to shape the advocacy strategy. Whether you work in oil and gas, renewables, infrastructure, or emerging tech, this committee is your platform to help define the future of energy in Houston—and beyond. “Houston has the talent, infrastructure, and industry depth to lead the next chapter of the global energy story,” Cox said. “But we must stay ahead by investing in innovation, aligning on policy, and preparing our workforce for what’s next.” Ready to get involved? Partnership members are essential to shaping policy that powers Houston’s growth. Contact the member engagement team at member.engagement@houston.org to join the Energy Advisory Committee.