Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership

08/13/2026

BAHEP Board Chair Nellie Chappell-White with JES Tech and BAHEP President Brian Freedman hosted Texas General Land Office Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. at the BAHEP office last week.

The meeting focused on regional opportunities and growth, support for Bay Area Houston's coastal barrier protection efforts, along with planning ahead of the upcoming legislative session.

It was an honor to host Commissioner Buckingham, and BAHEP appreciates her continued leadership on coastal protection for the State of Texas.

08/12/2026

BAHEP President Brian Freedman joined leaders from across the state last week at the Texas Municipal League meeting in Galveston, sharing an update on growth and opportunity across Bay Area Houston's major industrial clusters.

The conversation also dug into the real work of regional cooperation, where it's paying off and where shared challenges still need coordinated solutions.

Thank you to TML, Houston-Galveston Area Council, and all of the event coordinators and sponsors for the opportunity!

08/07/2026

This week at BAHEP was one full of committee meetings and collaboration. The Aerospace Advisory Council (AAC), Small Business Committee, Tourism Committee, Military Affairs Committee, and Team NASA all met to discuss important regional topics as the year transitions from summer to fall.

08/05/2026

Yesterday morning, BAHEP threw a New Member Breakfast, hosting 16 new members that have recently joined our organization! It was great to see both newcomers and longtime members connecting with one another.

Thank you to the committee chairs, new members, BAHEP staff, and the Membership Engagement Committee for your participation and warm hospitality!

08/04/2026

BAHEP President Brian Freedman joined community leaders last week in the City of Nassau Bay, Texas as signage at the Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake came down, officially marking the property's transition to Margaritaville.

With renovations and new branding now underway, this redevelopment represents an exciting new chapter for one of our region's destinations.

08/03/2026

The Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP), a State of Texas-funded program administered by BAHEP, has launched their new and improved website!

The new site makes it easier to learn how SATOP helps Texas small businesses overcome technical product development challenges through no-cost engineering and technical assistance.

Whether you're looking to advance an innovative idea, refine a product, or learn more about the program, the website is your hub for information, resources, and getting started.

Visit the site:

The Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program provides a unique and revolutionary service to Texas small businesses by providing them with FREE engineering support from some of the most highly qualified engineers in the world, rocket scientists. SATOP is administered by the Bay Area Houston Economi

08/03/2026

Texas Aerospace Scholars (TAS), a statewide STEM education program that introduces high school students to careers in aerospace, engineering, and space exploration, held their Base Camp Closing Ceremony this past Friday.

The Base Camp Closing Ceremony is the culminating celebration of the TAS junior onsite experience. Families, TAS partners, and NASA mentors joined students at the Gilruth Center to hear team presentations reflecting their year in the program, followed by awards recognizing student accomplishments.

It marks the official completion of Base Camp and celebrates the commitment, teamwork, and creativity shown throughout the week! A livestream of the ceremony was available for family members across the state to view.

Congratulations to every student that participated!

08/01/2026

Thank you Governor Greg Abbott Chairman Dr. Greg Bonnen and Texas Space Commission Chair and past BAHEP Chair Gwen Griffin Saylor for your leadership and collaboration with the U.S. Air Force. Excited to see what opportunities are on the horizon for the great State of Texas!

07/31/2026

BAHEP President Brian Freedman visited Austin, Texas yesterday with a group of regional leaders to speak before the Texas Transportation Committee in support of the mobility priorities behind our region's continued growth.

Joining Brian at the podium were Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership - BayTran Chairman and former City of Pearland - Government Mayor Kevin Cole, Galveston Economic Development Partnership President Josh Owens, TAG Houston Region Executive Director Christina Cabral, and City of Pasadena, Texas - Government Mayor Thomas Schoenbein.

The group spoke to the corridors that carry our region's freight, workforce, and hurricane evacuation traffic - SH 146, I-45, the SH 99 Grand Parkway, SH 225, SH 36A, I-69, and the Pelican Island Bridge. They also spoke on what the 2027 Unified Transportation Program means for the communities BAHEP serves.

After the meeting, the group met with Texas Transportation Commissioner Steven Alvis, then had lunch with Greg Bench, Chief of Staff for Rep. Dennis Paul, and Norman Garza, Jr., Executive Director of the Texas Space Commission.

Our region carries more weight in Austin when we all show up together! Thank you to everyone who made the trip.

07/31/2026

Today at 2 p.m., the Hilton signage will come down at the former Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake in City of Nassau Bay, Texas, marking the official transition to Margaritaville! Renovations and new branding will begin, signaling the start of the property’s next chapter.

Community members are invited to stop by and watch the transition, with refreshments available at the viewing area! 🍹