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 Aramco, officially the Saudi Arabian Oil Co., announces 34 memorandums of understanding with U.S. companies, many of which are based in the Houston area, totaling $90 billion of potential value. CenterPoint Energy begins on a new 160 megawatt/320 megawatt-hour Battery Energy Storage System, or BESS. The project aims to address grid-scale energy storage bringing reliability and resiliency to the Texas power grid. Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM) has started renovating its headquarters in Spring, Texas to make room for its new integrated research center, registering nearly $30 million worth of renovations and new construction under the title "North America Laboratory Integration Project." Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM) has signed a key offtake deal to supply Japan-based Marubeni with 250,000 metric tons of low-carbon ammonia a year from its planned Baytown project. Harris County has unveiled Bayland Park’s master plan to improve facilities, programming and connectivity and concentration on active parks, pedestrian safety, gardens, and farms. The city of Montgomery is set to break ground on its first H-E-B in 2026 at the southeast corner of Texas 105 and FM 2854. The Woodlands-based Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HHH) has completed a $900 deal with Perishing Square to become a diversified holding company. Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HHH) acquires the former McKesson Building in The Woodlands for $16.3 million. The Class A building with 200,000 square feet of available office space will be renamed "7 Waterway." NRG Energy Inc. (NYSE: NRG) is set to double its power-generation capacity in a $12 billion deal, acquiring a portfolio of natural gas generation facilities along with a commercial and industrial virtual power plant platform from LS Power Equity Advisors LLC. Rice University breaks ground on the Moody Center Complex for Student Life, a 75,000 square foot building offering a cafe, coffee house, meeting rooms, study areas and student services office. The project is expected to be completed by fall 2027. Shell Energy Stadium in Houston's East Downtown, or EaDo, will host the FIFA 2026 Fan Festival, featuring an indoor food court, mini soccer fields, interactive activities and more on a 39-day basis to watch the 104 matches of the World Cup. Sugar Land City Council approves the Lake Pointe Green redevelopment project, which seeks to repurpose more than 1 million square feet of office space, parking lots and trails of the former Fluor engineering and construction firm headquarters. University of Houston-Downtown expands into Amegy Bank's downtown building, which will be used for workshops, classes, events and more. The new 17,000-square-foot space on the 10th floor of the Amegy Bank building is called UHD@1801 Main, or “The Launchpad.” Education Alvin Community College has approved an online bachelor’s degree in nursing after the increased demand for nurses with bachelor’s degrees from local healthcare providers. Houston ISD commits $40 million to both HVAC and roofing updates, in which $21.2 million would go toward HVAC system repairs. 28 schools are projected to receive upgrades. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo commits to $500,000 in vocational scholarships in 2025 and increased to benefit 10 Houston-area colleges and trade schools. Memorial Hermann Health System and Aldine ISD partner with HEAL High School to offer health care career training and clinical experience in a school-within-a-school model. Texas A&M University will run the Federal Aviation Administration’s new Center for Advanced Aviation Technologies, which will consist of an airspace laboratory, flight demonstration zones, and testing corridors. Health Care Harris Health plans to open its $1.6 billion hospital at Lyndon B. Johnson site in early 2029 with approximately 400 employees. Houston Methodist ranks first in the 2025 Premier’s 15 Top Health Systems list under the  "Large Health Systems" category. The annual list ranks health systems based on clinical outcomes, extended outcomes, operational efficiency and patient experience. Kinder Foundation donates $150 million for a new healthcare facility focused on combating childhood cancer in partnership with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Texas Children’s Hospital. Innovation  Aurora has opened an over 90,000-square-foot terminal at a Fallbrook Drive logistics hub in northwest Houston to support the launch of its first “lane” for driverless trucks—a Houston-to-Dallas route on the Interstate 45 corridor. Ara Partners raises $800 million for its first-ever infrastructure-focused fund, targeting mid-market industrial decarbonization assets that are economic without federal incentives. Bank of America funds the restoration of Houston's iconic Rothko Chapel, including a documentary about the restoration. CenterPoint Energy Inc. (NYSE: CNP) builds out new tools and 100 weather stations around Greater Houston to prepare for hurricane season. Daikin Industries completes a nearly one-megawatt solar power plant at its Daikin Comfort Technologies North America campus southeast of Waller, projecting to eliminate an estimated 845 metric tons of carbon emissions each year. Downtown Houston+ has implemented a $400,000 pedestrian lighting project, deemed the "Underpassage," that will brighten a stretch of downtown Houston at Texas Avenue and Rusk Street in light of the FIFA 2026 World Cup Fan Festival. Harris County has approved a five-point Climate Justice Plan to address issues relating to ecology, infrastructure, economy, community and culture. Intuitive Machines plans an orbital reentry vehicle, backed by $10 million from the Texas Space Commission, to fly fly autonomously and be capable of landing at airfields. Mercury Fund continues to leverage artificial intelligence to improve efficiency and decision-making processes within industries, drawing interest from traditional VC hubs. Rice University has opened the headquarters for the new RBL LLC incubator at Texas Medical Center, aiming to incubate three to four biotech companies annually.  Transportation  Downtown Houston+ leads the Main Street Promenade project, turning a stretch of Main Street into a pedestrian-friendly corridor in Downtown Houston. The $12 million project will work on seven blocks of Main Street that stretches from Rusk Street to Commerce Street. Houston ISD explores a partnership with METRO as it retools its transportation services for the 2025-2026 school year. Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) has filed an application seeking approval from the Department of Transportation to broaden its international flights in accordance to the Open Skies agreement, which would permit future flights to over 130 countries that are subject to the agreement. 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.

Board service isn’t just about governance – it’s a leadership masterclass. If you’re looking to grow your impact and elevate your strategic thinking, joining a board is one of the most powerful development opportunities available. Why It Matters At the Greater Houston Partnership, we know that leadership at every level, from the boardroom to the front lines, is critical to advancing Houston’s position as a city of opportunity. Serving on a board strengthens the kind of high-impact leadership our region needs to grow and thrive. Whether you're leading a team or a company, the responsibilities of board members mirror those of top executives: defining strategy, assessing risk, guiding talent and maintaining accountability. Serving on a board challenges you to think beyond your functional expertise and operate with a high-altitude, enterprise-wide perspective. You’ll learn to ask better questions, make sharper decisions and prioritize what truly matters. The Power of Board Diversity Through our One Houston Together initiative, we’re committed to advancing diversity on corporate boards as part of our broader mission to strengthen Houston’s economic dynamism and opportunity for all. Diverse boards bring broader perspectives, deeper understanding of stakeholder needs and stronger business outcomes. When leadership reflects the communities it serves, companies are better equipped to navigate complexity, spark innovation and build lasting trust.  Core Skills You Build Board experience sharpens your ability to: Think strategically: Board members are expected to elevate conversations, zooming out to consider long-term risks and opportunities. Communicate with purpose: You’re on the board for a reason – using your voice with clarity and confidence is key. Prioritize ruthlessly: Managing board commitments alongside your career teaches disciplined time management. Learn continuously: Staying current on market trends, competitors and global shifts is a non-negotiable. What You’ll Tackle Board meetings often center on today’s most pressing business issues: artificial intelligence, global trade and economic shifts, federal policy changes, sustainability and talent development. You won’t just observe – you’ll contribute to decisions that shape a company’s future. These topics mirror the challenges and opportunities the Greater Houston Partnership tackles, including shaping policies, attracting investment and positioning Houston for long-term success. Getting Ready to Serve You don’t need to wait until retirement. Many professionals gain board experience through nonprofit organizations, where they build leadership skills and expand their networks while giving back to the community. Key steps include: Start networking: Relationships matter. Begin connecting with board members and executive leaders now. Stay curious: Board-ready professionals are lifelong learners who bring fresh insights to the table. Be intentional: Think about how your current role demonstrates strategic thinking, community impact and business results. If you're considering board service, don’t underestimate its impact on your professional trajectory. You’ll grow as a leader, contribute to something bigger than yourself, and bring those sharpened skills back to your day job, benefiting your organization and your career.