TASK
FORCE updates Business Growth Task Force
The Business Growth Task Force has started the year off with a bang, we have a new chairman at the helm, Natalie Picha who is the Vice President & Sr. Financial Advisor with the Royal Group @ Merrill Lynch. She has been an asset to the organization, so let’s continue to welcome & grow with her. Our first Business Education Luncheon was held on February 28, 2017 at San Jacinto College Central Campus with Speaker Patrick Jankowski, VP of Research @ Greater Houston Partnership updating about 200 guest with a regional economic forecast for 2017. Our next event, we will host the Industrial Procurement Forum Breakfast on June 8, 2017 at the Pasadena Convention Center. This committee meets the first Wednesday of every month at 9 am.
Economic Development Task Force The Economic Development Taskforce meets to discuss several ongoing economic development attraction, retention & expansion projects to highlight potential capital investment and job creation in the Houston Port Region.
12 ECONOMIC ALLIANCE | FIRST QUARTER 2017
The taskforce will continue to be a source of relevant information and, from time to time, speakers will be invited to share with the group their expertise on various economic development related topics. In an effort to make connections with those making and/or supporting major capital investments in the Houston Port region the group is being exposed to the Houston Port region’s world-class economic development assets. In the 1st Qtr of 2017 the task force was on site at San Jacinto College’s Maritime Technology and Training Center, toured the Port of Houston and was given the “Why Houston” corporate relocation pitch by Greater Houston Partnership staff members. These meetings highlight the real-world applications of how our assets are being utilized by local students, workers, companies and partners. Our next meeting will be held at the Gulf Coast Waste Disposal Authority (GCA) on April 26th from 3pm to 4pm. The April meeting will be an opportunity to understand, from an economic development perspective, the value and benefits GCA offers industry as a tool in our state and local tool box to help attract industry to our region. Additional economic development asset meetings will be scheduled throughout the year and will take place on the last Wednesday of every month from 3pm to 4pm. The taskforce is currently chaired by Kristi Claypool, Meador Staffing Services.