Houston has once again topped the rankings of an annual list of America’s Best Cities, claiming first in the state and No. 10 in the nation, surpassing Dallas and Austin.  The report, compiled by international consulting firm Resonance, ranks cities with a population of more than 500,000 based on livability, lovability and prosperity. The Bayou City has consistently ranked high on Resonance’s list over the years, placing No. 9 in 2023 and No. 11 in 2022, drawing praise for its cultural diversity, award-winning restaurant scene, number of Fortune 500 companies and quality of life.  Houston’s population gains can be attributed to its quality of life and strong economy. According to a Greater Houston Partnership analysis, Houston added nearly 140,000 residents in 2023, marking the second highest population growth among U.S. metros.  “Austin may get the attention, but the promise of the Lone Star State drawing Californians and New Yorkers is quietly being fulfilled in Houston,” the report stated.  This year’s report again recognizes Houston as one of the most diverse cities in the nation, with one in four residents being foreign-born and over 145 languages spoken, earning it the No. 21 spot in the report’s Culture category. The report also highlights the city's wealth of international festivals, world-class museums and cultural centers, including the new Ismaili Center set to open next year.  Houston’s dining scene ranked fourth in the report’s restaurant subcategory, ahead of popular foodie destinations including San Francisco, Las Vegas and Miami. The city earned acclaim for its diverse blend of dishes, described in the report as “Southern Soul and barbecue with Mexican that’s then seasoned with global cuisine.” Earlier this year, 11 Houston restaurants and chefs were named semifinalists for the 2024 James Beard Awards.   The report also applauded Houston’s robust economy, ranking No. 3 in the country for the number of Fortune 500 companies and patents. Houston is home to 26 Fortune 500 companies, making it the third-largest hub for Fortune 500 headquarters in the nation. As a hub for business development and opportunity, Houston was also recently named the best city to grow a business, according to a new study by The RevOps Team.  Additionally, Resonance recognized the Bayou City for its leadership in the global energy transition, with an estimated $250 billion in potential investment in the region over the next 15 years, according to a recent McKinsey report. The report also highlighted Houston’s reputation as Space City, noting key facilities and investments such as the Houston Spaceport, which is anchored by NASA-contract-winning companies Axiom Space, Collins Aerospace and Intuitive Machines.  Learn more about living in Houston.  

Leading the nation in both solar generation and wind capacity, it is undeniable that Texas has become the epicenter for renewable energy. As the Energy Capital of the World, Houston has been at the forefront of the state’s success, consistently winning bids for major projects.  According to the Partnership’s Houston Facts report, the region’s renewable energy industry accounted for nearly 13,000 jobs in 2022. To bolster growth in this sector and enhance Houston’s leadership in the global energy transition, the Greater Houston Partnership is actively working to attract renewable energy companies to the region, facilitating relocation and expansion projects. According to a Partnership analysis, the organization saw a 400% increase in the number of energy transition projects it won between 2018 and 2023.  The Partnership has recently assisted in several significant project wins for the region, including Renewable Parts, a wind turbine supply chain and refurbishment company. The company announced it selected Humble for the location of its new parts recirculation workshop to meet the growing demand in the North American market. The new facility is expected to create at least 18 jobs with $700,000 in capital expenditures.   "Being close to Houston was important for us as a business, as Texas has a thriving wind industry and an abundance of turbines that we have vast experience on," said Michael Forbes, Renewable Parts US President, "and Houston is widely considered the Energy Capital of the World - a great opportunity for us to find good people and collaborate with some of the many great businesses that are located there."  Renewable Parts is one of many international companies that have chosen to expand to the Houston suburbs, attracted by the ample space for large-scale facilities and the close proximity to Houston's major transportation hubs, including the Port of Houston and the George Bush Intercontinental Airport.  "Renewable Parts' decision to establish their North American operations in Humble, Texas, is further testament to the Houston region's strong infrastructure, skilled workforce and unmatched industry expertise,” said Craig Rhodes, SVP Economic Development, Greater Houston Partnership. “This new facility will bolster the local economy and help drive the advancement of renewable energy in North America."  Triveni Turbines, an Indian company that manufactures, assembles and repairs rotating equipment for power generation was another major win for the Partnership last month. The company recently signed a lease for a 38,000 square feet office and manufacturing space in northwest Houston off FM 529. The facility will create 40 jobs and have the potential for further expansion in three to five years.  Additionally, Imperial Star Solar, a solar manufacturer with operations in Asia and Cambodia, will open its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Tomball at the Interchange 249 business park. According to the Houston Business Journal, the 384,500 square foot facility is expected to produce 1.5 gigawatts of solar panels annually and increase U.S. capacity to 5 gigawatts by 2025. The company also plans to strengthen the region’s manufacturing and technology workforce by partnering with local universities and colleges to offer an internship program.  Learn more about Houston’s leadership in Renewable Energy.