ECONOMIC ALLIANCE HOUSTON PORT REGION HARRIS COUNTY UPDATE REPORT 2023
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - HARRIS COUNTY UPDATE REPORT
with area governments, membership dues and fundraising events.
A driving force in the Houston Port region’s economic prosperity due to participation by our 250 Private Sector Members, 12 Cities/Communities, Port Houston, and Harris County. A well- connected organization, convening a large, trusted network.
Facilitator to market the Houston Port region as a Global Gateway. Providing publicity to various programs and initiatives through - Website Enhancements, Events, Newsletters and Economic Development Project work.
2 announced economic development project wins total $336M in committed capital investment in Harris County, 73 direct job opportunities and 425 retained jobs. Forum for Private Sector and Government Leadership to discuss Economic Development Tools, State of Port Operations, Impact as a Growth Engine, Supply Chain Solutions, and efforts moving toward Sustainability and development of economic opportunities through SMWBE and DEI efforts.
A leader in workforce development initiatives to address the growing skilled workforce gap in the Houston Port region. Conducting over 400+ Career Path Presentations exceeding 50,000 Potential Workers/Students. A diverse audience exposed to our workforce development/job opportunities to create economic equity.
Convening entity in identifying and promoting issues of Houston Port region significance. Working to improve our economic development assets, transportation infrastructure, workforce development entities and Port Houston investment protections.
Established thought leader through relevant and well attended events. Anticipating over 3,700 participants at 11 events that will produce an average of 335 attendees for each planned gathering in 2023.
Harris County’s support is an integral contributor to Economic Alliance’s successes that you will find outlined in this document. Our Board, Members and Staff look forward to enhancing our relationship and continuing our collaborative work to advance the Houston Port region and Harris County globally.
ADVOCATING FOR THE HOUSTON PORT REGION
SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING, GOODS MOVEMENT, WORKFORCE, AND WATERWAY PROTECTIONS
Every year the Economic Alliance organizes a leadership team to travel to Washington DC and advocate for issues important to the Houston Port Region. This annual federal advocacy trip provides our industry members and community leaders exclusive access to members of the US Senate, Congress and their staff, executive branch policymakers, and representatives from key federal agencies.
Economic Alliance supports policies to enhance Port Houston/supply chain infrastructure, skilled worker growth, industry partnerships, and coastal protections for critical economic assets.
PORT HOUSTON /SUPPLY CHAIN IMPROVEMENTS
Allocations in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, USACE Work Plan, and Inland Waterway Trust Fund for Houston Ship Channel upgrades and maintenance.
PPETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRY EFFICIENCIES/PARTNERSHIPS
Reforms to Surface Transportation Board policies to impact product movement and enhanced partnerships with industry to use the most innovative technologies/materials for infrastructure rebuilds.
COMMUNITY COLLEGES WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Increased training funds via the Department of Labor, reforms to Pell Grant eligibility and appropriations from the U.S. Department of Transportation to establish a Maritime Center of Excellence at San Jacinto College
COASTAL BARRIER ECONOMIC ASSET PROTECTIONS
Phased appropriations through the U S Army Corp of Engineers for the design/construction of a coastal barrier protecting the Texas/Louisiana portion of the U S Gulf Coast, impacting our national supply chain/economy
SUPPORTING HARRIS COUNTY TRANSPORATION INFRASTRUCTURE
FREIGHT MOVEMENT - TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE TASK FORCE
Economic Alliance is making certain the Houston Port region is connecting mobility, safety, environmental issues, economic opportunity with Port Houston unprecedented growth.
The mission has been to deliver TxDOT and key leadership a prioritized transportation/infrastructure project list based on stakeholder consensus and critical investment need. Economic Alliance convenes a collection of local/state elected officials, Port Houston, petrochemical association partners and private sector members.
PEL Studies
I10 East Expansion/San Jacinto River Bridge
SH 225 - 610 Expansion
Critical Priority Projects
146 Expansion – Fairmont to Red Bluff – under construction
Beltway Bridge/225 Direct Connectors – designed need funding 225/146 DC for Barbours Cut Blvd into Port Terminal
Beltway 8 Direct Connector Support Letters
JOB CREATION AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN HARRIS COUNTY
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - INVESTMENT COMMITMENTS & JOB OPPORTUNITIES
ANNOUNCEMENTS -'23
2 announced economic development wins total $363M in committed capital investment for the Houston port region, 73 direct job opportunities and 425 retained positions.
INVESTMENT BRIEFS
KAO will invest $260M and create 60 jobs to construct a Tertiary Amine Production Plant at the former Sunoco site that sat vacant for over 10 years - Basic ingredients in hair conditioners, dishwashing detergents, disinfectants and other household products.
Albermarle a manufacturer and supplier of catalysts and additives will invest $113M, create 13 new jobs and retain 425 position to expand its production capabilities by installing a new operating unit as well as additional reactors and associated equipment required to increase production.
JOB CREATION AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN HARRIS COUNTY
PROJECT PIPELINE - ’23
25 active projects in the pipeline the Economic Alliance is tracking with our regional partners
Potential for: $6.7B Cap Ex – 5,100 New Job Opportunities – 15 Retained Jobs
The Economic Alliance conducts an annual evaluation of the project pipeline to determine which of the projects are still viable, approximately 40% of the 2022 pipeline carried over as active projects into 2023.
Manufacturing and Petrochemical make up 81% of the YTD ‘23 pipeline with Logistics, Corporate Headquarters, Alternative Fuels, and RE Development combining for the remaining 19%
Pipeline Breakdown
25 Projects
$6.7B Cap Ex
5,100 New Job Opportunities
15 Retained Jobs
48% Manufacturing
33% Petrochem
7% Logistics
4% Corp Hdqtr
4% Alt Fuels
4% RE Develop
Early stages and evaluating multiple locations across the Houston Port region/Ship Channel locations.
Economic Alliance provides integral support through a comprehensive suite of client-driven project management services to companies investing in the Houston Port region:
Conducting real estate searches of existing and greenfield locations for prospects
Participation and coordination of site-selection trips/briefings and orientations
Facilitate access to data (via partners) on key business factors that highlight the region as a destination for investment and job creation
Provide guidance in evaluating and applying for State and Local incentive and workforce programs Advocacy for projects on issues pertaining to permitting and regulation with State and Local entities
Mobilization of our key board members, allies, partners to ensure project success
JOB CREATION AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN HARRIS COUNTY
HISTORICAL ANNOUNCEMENTS THROUGH ‘22
Project Announcements
77 Project Wins over 14 Years
$17.8B Cap Ex
3800 Jobs Created
Yearly Averages
5 Projects per Year
1.5B of Cap Ex per Year
271 Jobs Created per Year
Industry Breakdown
54% Petrochemical projects (largest indirect job creation multiplier in the U S economy)
40% Manufacturing & Logistics projects (impacting the largest export of goods port in the U S )
Activity reflects approximately 14 years of professional Economic Development services and only includes projects that Economic Alliance has directly interfaced/supported This a fraction of the nearly $100 Billion of capital investment in production facilities in the Houston Port region over the last several years
PROMOTION OF HOUSTON PORT REGION/HARRIS COUNTY
MARKETING THE HOUSTON PORT REGION AS A GLOBAL GATEWAY
Marketing our region as a Global Gateway, Economic Alliance is currently conducting a major upgrade to our website. Putting forth a more profound presence of highlighting to businesses the potential of direct access to Port Houston/Harris County.
Harris County directly supports our efforts to enhance the message that the Houston Port region is an ideal hub for companies needing worldwide distribution for their products, world-class infrastructure, and a supply of workers to minimize time, transportation, and distribution costs domestically and internationally.
The enhanced website will include sections (scheduled to go live 4th Qtr. ’23)
Unparalleled Global Access via Port Houston Terminals Improvements and Investments by Port Houston Impact of Port Houston as a Growth Engine Benefits to Existing and New Operations
PROMOTION OF HOUSTON PORT REGION/HARRIS COUNTY
NEWSLETTER - THE CURRENT
Economic Alliance distributes a quarterly newsletter highlighting Houston Port region businesses, partners, industry news/events, upcoming classes and workshops, and resources our office and partners provide.
Economic Alliance newsletters have a distribution of more than 10,000+ recipients that provides an opportunity for Port Houston to submit articles about current news and promotion of programs.
Highlighting Port Houston Sustainability Action Plan: MOU collaborative agreement with Shell to identify decarbonization opportunities at the port that will support the goal to be carbon neutral by 2050.
Port Houston Improvements and Investments to Keep the Houston Port Region Competitive/: Highlighting Port Houston infrastructure investments.
PROMOTION OF HOUSTON PORT REGION/HARRIS COUNTY
FREIGHT MOBILITY & PORT HOUSTON
Bruce Mann, Director of Freight Mobility at Port Houston participated in the Gulf Coast Growth Show Season 8. The Economic Alliance produced 33 podcasts in 2022, bringing the latest news and updates in the petrochemical, manufacturing, maritime, transportation, and workforce related industries.
Bruce offered insight on the importance of freight mobility in the region noting:
The unprecedented growth of container activity and his role in their movement to the end destination
The high-profile infrastructure projects in the works at Port Houston
His personal passion to end human trafficking and how everyone can play a role
ECONOMIC ALLIANCE CONVENES LOCAL/STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS, PORT HOUSTON, PETROCHEMICAL ASSOCIATION PARTNERS AND PRIVATE SECTOR MEMBERS TO DELIVER TXDOT A PRIORITIZED PROJECT LIST
PROMOTION OF HOUSTON PORT REGION/HARRIS COUNTY
SUSTAINABILITY
The Economic Alliance is committed to working with Port Houston to advance policies and initiatives promoting the energy transition to a more sustainable future that will benefit our communities
Trae Camble, Director of Environmental Affairs at Port Houston participated in the Gulf Coast Growth Show Season 7 Ep 18.
Trae highlighted what Port Houston is doing to leave a more environmentally friendly footprint across the Houston Port region and highlighting:
Sustainability efforts and goals; the Environmental Social Governance (ESG) report they are working on. Reduction of the ports carbon footprint~55% over the last 5-6 years.
Importance and impact of Project 11. Role as a Board Member for the Galveston Bay Foundation.
Sustainability Leadership Panel at the Gulf Coast Industry Forum featured industry and higher education leaders that discussed advanced plastics recycling and how our region is leading in sustainability.
Quarterly newsletter “The Current” Q1/2023 primary focus highlighted “Advanced Recycling” advancing plastics circularity through technology and collaboration
CREATING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY IN HARRIS COUNTY
GULF COAST INDUSTRYFORUM PROVIDING A STATE OF HARRIS COUNTY & PORT HOUSTON OPERATIONS
The Gulf Coast Industry Forum continues to be a vital point for knowledge sharing, networking and thought leadership around issues facing Port Houston.
The conference began due to Houston Port region leaders recognizing the need for a forecasting conference in the industry. They asked the Economic Alliance to produce a conference that would provide information for the overall industrial economy. The Petrochemical and Maritime Outlook Conference (PMOC) was first introduced in 2010 and later became known as the Gulf Coast Industry Forum (GCIF) in 2016.
In its first year, PMOC had an attendance expectancy of 200 people. Economic Alliance finished the conference with over 450 attendees and with Port Houston support since 2010 the event has consecutively grown with more people in attendance each year. In 2019, GCIF had over 1,000 people attend.
CAMPO KEYNOTE SPEAKER MV SAM HOUSTON DINNER & PORT
TOUR
HOUSTON EXHIBITOR BOOTH IN FRONT OF 800+ ATTENDEES
LEVEL SPONSORSHIP
RIC
HOUSTON
PORT
PLATINUM
GCIF 2022
