Greater Houston Partnership

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Greater Houston Partnership logo

The Greater Houston Partnership (GHP) is the largest chamber of commerce in the Houston area. GHP is an economic development organization for the Greater Houston area, including the counties of Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto, and Waller. Its headquarters are in Suite 900 in the Partnership Tower in Downtown Houston.[1]

History[]

The organization was established in 1989, when the Houston Chamber of Commerce, the Houston Economic Development Council, and the Houston World Trade Association merged. GHP's roots extend to the original Houston Chamber of Commerce's creation in 1840.

In 1992, GHP founded The Center for Houston's Future as a non-profit research organization.[2] The Center for Houston's Future became an independent affiliate of GHP in 2000.

In 2007, the chamber came out in favor of a bond for Houston Independent School District (HISD), lending key support to the effort the month before the election.[3] The bond was approved by the voters.

In 2019, GHP called for the Texas Education Agency to assign a board of managers to run HISD.[4]

The Partnership’s current Chairwoman is Amy Chronis.[5]

Criticism[]

In 2014, the Houston Chronicle criticized Greater Houston Partnership for refusing to comply with an open records request.[6] To avoid disclosing the information requested, GHP chose to instead cancel contracts with the county government, drawing criticism from elected officials such as Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Steve Radack.[7]

In January of 2021, the organization received calls to denounce the January 6th riots at the US Capitol.[8]

In April of 2021, advocacy groups and business voices called on the organization to oppose voter suppression legislation proposed by members of the Texas Legislature.[9] 175 well-known members of the Houston business community, including ten GHP members, openly opposed the legislation.[10] Two days later, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner pulled out of GHP luncheons in opposition to GHP's silence on the bills.[11] The organization released another statement the next day "opposing voter suppression", but still took no position on the bills.[12]

References[]

  1. ^ "Contact Us." Greater Houston Partnership. Retrieved on February 27, 2017.
  2. ^ The Center for Houston's Future. "The Center for Houston's Future: About Us :: History". centerforhoustonsfuture.org. Retrieved 2014-11-04.
  3. ^ "Greater Houston Partnership backs HISD bond". Houston Chronicle.
  4. ^ "Greater Houston Partnership urges TEA to take action against HISD". Houston Business Journal.
  5. ^ "About | Greater Houston Partnership (GHP)". houston.org. Retrieved 2014-11-04.
  6. ^ "Editorial: Resisting transparency at the GHP Greater Houston Partnership undermines good government by avoiding open records". Houston Chronicle.
  7. ^ "Greater Houston Partnership cancels contracts with local governments". Houston Chronicle.
  8. ^ Cohen, Daniel (2021-01-19). "Op-Ed: Greater Houston Partnership must denounce those complicit in the coup like Ted Cruz". Texas Signal.
  9. ^ Balter, Emily (April 17, 2021). "Activists protest Texas' voter bills at Greater Houston Partnership building downtown". Houston Chronicle.
  10. ^ Despart, Zach (May 4, 2021). "Snubbed by Greater Houston Partnership, 175 business leaders raise alarm about Texas voting bills". Houston Chronicle.
  11. ^ Despart; Scherer, Zach; Jasper (May 6, 2021). "Turner, Hidalgo pull out of GHP luncheons over chamber's silence on Texas voting bills". Houston Chronicle.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ Despart, Zach (May 7, 2021). "In new statement, Greater Houston Partnership condemns voter suppression with no mention of bills". Houston Chronicle.

External links[]

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