Partnership Members Making News in May

Business Moves

• Amazon launches Prime Air from its HOU6 fulfillment center in Richmond, building on the company’s growing warehouse and fulfillment network in southwest Houston. The expansion will add about 40 jobs and further strengthen Amazon’s local last-mile delivery capabilities.
• Crown Castle closes a $8.5 billion sale of its fiber and small cell businesses, sharpening the Houston-based company’s focus on its core tower operations while using the proceeds to reduce debt and strengthen its financial position.
• Harris Health advances plans for a new health center in Greenspoint, expanding access to care in north Houston and reinforcing the system’s commitment to community-based healthcare.
• MetroNational expands its Houston hospitality portfolio by acquiring The Moran CityCentre, adding the 244-room hotel to its growing presence in West Houston and reinforcing the company’s long-term investment in high-end mixed-use destinations.
• Phillips 66 expands its natural gas liquids business with a new gas plant and pipeline in the Permian Basin, plus added fractionation and pipeline capacity near Corpus Christi. The projects will strengthen the Houston-based company’s ability to process and move ethane, propane and butane to market as demand for NGLs continues to grow.
• Texas Southern University opens a new aviation training facility at Houston Spaceport, expanding hands-on instruction for student pilots and strengthening the university’s role in developing Houston’s future aviation and aerospace workforce.
• Waymo is nearly doubling its Houston service area to 50 square miles, extending access to areas including NRG Stadium, EaDo and the Texas Medical Center ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The expansion strengthens Waymo’s presence in Houston as it scales autonomous ride-hailing service for both daily trips and major events.

Education

• Houston City College launches a new workforce training partnership with Tesla to prepare students for advanced manufacturing careers, expanding local talent pipelines as Tesla grows its operations in the region.
• Rice University aims to expand faculty hiring by 30% as it grows enrollment and advances its broader strategic vision, reinforcing the university’s continued investment in academic excellence and research leadership in Houston.
• San Jacinto College receives a $15.3 million grant from Arnold Ventures to launch a student success program modeled on CUNY ASAP, expanding advising and financial support to improve completion rates. The investment strengthens the college’s efforts to help more students graduate on time and advance economic mobility in the Houston region.

Energy 

• CenterPoint Energy launches a new Community Progress Tracker that lets Houstonians follow grid upgrades in real time by zip code, highlighting the company’s ongoing investment in strengthening power reliability and resilience across Greater Houston.
• Fervo Energy gains momentum as the Houston-based geothermal company advances toward an IPO, building on major recent financing and reinforcing its position as a fast-rising leader in next-generation clean energy.

Innovation

• Harris County Flood Control District helps shape The Grand Prairie’s new Lake Ember amenity complex, contributing $10 million toward construction of the pilot project, which pairs flood mitigation infrastructure with public recreational space in the growing Hockley community. The project highlights the district’s role in advancing resilient, community-oriented development.
• Rice University researchers unveiled a faster, lower-energy method for recycling lithium-ion batteries, using a water-based solution to recover key metals in as little as one minute at room temperature. The breakthrough could help make battery recycling more sustainable and scalable while reinforcing Rice’s leadership in advanced materials and energy innovation.

Transportation

• George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) welcomed the first-ever nonstop service between Houston and Rome on May 1, as ITA Airways launched its first route to Texas and expanded the airport’s international connectivity. The new service strengthens IAH’s role as a global gateway while creating new opportunities for business and leisure travel between Houston and Italy.
• METRO prepares for the 2026 World Cup by evaluating service hours and frequency improvements, underscoring the agency’s central role in moving residents and visitors efficiently across the region during the tournament.

RELATED: World Cup Transit Tips for Houston Employers

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