Members advanced major projects and milestones across space, education, energy, healthcare and transportation. Highlights include Space Center Houston’s long-term campus expansion, Houston Food Bank’s 310,000-square-foot CORE facility, and major geothermal and carbon capture investments.
Business Moves
Growth, Investment & Expansion
Space Center Houston
Space Center Houston is advancing its long-term Facilities Master Plan, a phased expansion of its 100-acre campus designed to support the region’s growing space sector and expand STEM learning. Plans include a major Lunar Mars facility with simulated lunar and Martian surfaces, modular labs, a one-mile indoor rover track and an elevated exhibit hall. The center has welcomed more than 26.6 million visitors since opening in 1992.
Houston Food Bank & Chevron
Houston Food Bank broke ground on CORE, a new 310,000-square-foot facility in Northwest Houston that represents the organization’s largest strategic expansion to date. Built on 52 acres donated by Chevron and valued at $10 million, the campus is designed to double distribution capacity, strengthen disaster response and provide wraparound services through community partners. Initial operations are expected to begin in 2028.
Awards & Recognition
Daikin
Daikin Comfort Technologies North America combined workforce development with community impact through its 2026 Americas Regional Skills Competition at Daikin Texas Technology Park. The annual event brought together approximately 150 employees from across North America to strengthen technical and safety skills. Daikin also donated $25,000 to Kids’ Meals and had employees volunteer during the event, supporting a nonprofit that delivered more than 3.6 million meals in 2025.
Fervo Energy
Fervo Energy has been selected for up to $45 million in U.S. Department of Energy funding as part of a broader $99 million initiative supporting next-generation geothermal development. Fervo will receive approximately $20 million for projects in Idaho and Nevada, while Quaise was selected for up to $25 million to advance Project Obsidian in Oregon, targeting more than 25 megawatts of power.
Education
Lone Star College
Lone Star College is celebrating a major milestone as enrollment surpasses 100,000 students for the first time in the school system’s history. With more than 20 locations and around 200 degree and certification programs, the college continues to grow alongside the Houston region. This fall’s enrollment reached 100,023 students, reflecting the increasing demand for accessible higher education opportunities. The milestone highlights Lone Star College’s growing role in educating and supporting communities across the region.
University of Houston
The University of Houston is leading a multidisciplinary research effort backed by a $2.88 million U.S. Department of Energy grant to develop next-generation permanent magnets using artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. The three-year project includes Rice University researchers and aims to identify sustainable alternatives to neodymium-iron-boron magnets used in electric vehicles, motors, and other technologies.
Energy
Enbridge
Enbridge is moving forward with plans for a major new natural gas pipeline connecting West Texas to growing energy markets. The West Texas Express project could help meet the region’s rising energy demands while strengthening connections across Texas and beyond. The project is now seeking support from potential customers before moving forward. If approved, the pipeline could become an important part of the region’s future energy infrastructure.
ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil secured Texas Railroad Commission approval for its Rose Carbon Capture and Storage project in Jefferson County, clearing a major regulatory milestone for permanent CO₂ storage on the Gulf Coast. The project spans more than 13,000 acres, includes three injection wells and an 18-mile pipeline, and is designed to store up to 53 million metric tons of CO₂ over 13 years. Operations are expected to begin by early 2027.
Healthcare
Texas Children’s Hospital & Memorial Hermann Health System
Texas Children’s Hospital and Children’s Memorial Hermann receive national recognition from U.S. News & World Report. Texas Children’s was named the No. 1 children’s hospital in Texas for the 18th consecutive year, while Children’s Memorial Hermann ranked No. 3 in the state. The recognition highlights the strength of Houston’s pediatric health care and the specialized services available to children and families across the region.
UTMB Health
UTMB Health is expanding its aerospace medicine capabilities with a new Department of Aerospace Medicine. The department will train medical professionals to care for people operating in challenging environments, including space, as commercial human spaceflight grows. UTMB has trained astronauts for decades, providing a foundation for the program’s focus on the next generation of aerospace medicine professionals.
Innovation
NASA
NASA has selected The Texas Space Commission to lead one of seven statewide and regional Skilled Technical Workforce Hubs, part of a $10.5 million, three-year initiative to strengthen the aerospace workforce. The commission will launch the Texas Space STEM Alliance and develop a workforce portal connecting students, training programs, employers and opportunities in technical fields such as welding, machining and electrical work.
Transportation
United Airlines
United Airlines is expanding its airport food-delivery pilot to Houston later this year, following its initial launch at Newark Liberty International Airport. Through the United app, travelers will be able to order food, drinks, and travel essentials, with the Houston program offering national restaurant brands and options for pickup or delivery directly to the gate. United will use customer feedback to evaluate expansion to additional airports.
RELATED: New Partnership Members in August
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