It's been a year since COVID-19 was first reported in Houston. Since then, the Greater Houston Partnership has provided up-to-date information and resources to help businesses and their employees navigate the pandemic. That includes: 

• COVID-19 Resources: resources, data and information aimed at assisting businesses and individuals in our region coping with the challenges of the pandemic. 
• Reopen Houston Safely - Monitoring Dashboard: in collaboration with the Texas Medical Center, the dashboard includes a number of critical metrics around the virus itself as well as economic data and local indicators of citizen activity.
• Houston Work Safe Program: guide and resources to reopen safely, sustainably and successfully.

The Partnership also turned to the expertise of our member companies and in-house experts to help the greater Houston business community pull through challenges brought on by COVID-19.

Resources and Insight for Small Businesses

The Partnership hosted the Small Business Administration and other experts armed with information for Houston's small business community. Digital resources, including the Small Biz Insider podcast and video series, also provided guidance to small business owners and entrepreneurs.

• SBA Offering Aid to Houston Small Businesses Amid COVID-19 Crisis
• Houston Small Businesses Play Vital Role in the Region’s Economy
• Small Biz Insider: How a Downtown Family-Owned Business is Adapting to a Changing Business Landscape
• Small Biz Insider: Restaurant Owners on Reopening Plans
• Small Biz Insider: COVID-19 Tips from SCORE Houston
• Small Biz Insider: Adopting a Proactive COVID-19 Business Strategy

Advice for Staying Connected Through Teleworking

Partnership members CKP and Parents Pivot offered advice on how workers could stay connected to their jobs as thousands began working from home. The Partnership also hosted webinars exploring this topic, including a conversation about how teleworking may shift hot real estate spots. 

• Teleworking Tips: Working from Home While Caring for Kids
• Teleworking Tips: Best Practices on Staying Connected Remotely

Tips to Create and Deploy an Effective Communications Strategy

Nearly every aspect of a operating a business quickly changed as companies either shut down or adjusted their physical space last year. Partnership members Mercer and The Black Sheep agency offered best practices for communicating internally with employees, as well as externally with customers. 

• 5 Tips for Teams Leading Company COVID-19 Communications
• Small Biz Insider: Adopting a Proactive COVID-19 Business Strategy

Analysis on Houston Economy with Patrick Jankowski

Partnership Senior Vice President of Research Patrick Jankowski presented critical insight into the pandemic's impact on the Houston economy through the ongoing Economy Series webinars, as well as the Bayou Business Download podcast. 

• Economic Update: Houston Works to Recover from Winter Storm, Makes Progress on COVID-19 
• Economic Update: The Keys to Recovery
• Bayou Business Download: Reason for Optimism? What the Data Tells Us About Houston's Recovery
• Bayou Business Download: The Houston Jobs Outlook for 2021
• Bayou Business Download: What Online Data from Google, Yelp and Open Table Tell Us Amid COVID-19

Upskilling and Workforce Development with UpSkill Houston

UpSkill Houston delved into how COVID-19 affected workforce development and the need for upskilling the region's workforce. 

• Uneven Job Gains, Continued Losses Underscore Urgency in Upskilling
• COVID-19 Shocks Labor Economy and Drives Unprecedented Job Loss—the Case for Upskilling and Reskilling
• Americans Agree: We Need to Help Each Other
• Economist: Signs of Workforce Recovery in Houston Amid Pandemic

Visit the Partnership's COVID-19 Resource page for updates, guidance for employers and more information. Click here to see the Partnership's Membership Directory. To learn more about membership with the Greater Houston Partnership click here, or contact membership@houston.org.