Greater Houston Partnership

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]

Greater Houston Partnership logo

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 Chairman is Bobby Tudor and its current President and CEO is Bob Harvey. Its Vice Chair 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]

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.
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