Why do Business in Houston?

Houston is the world’s leading hub for human spaceflight, commercial space, and aerospace innovation.

• Houston is home to NASA’s Johnson Space Center. JSC is not only the worldwide leader in human spaceflight and lunar exploration, it is also NASA’s leader in advancing public-private partnerships to enable commercial space activities.

• It is also home to over 500 companies and institutions in aircraft or space vehicle manufacturing, research, and technology development, including leading commercial space companies such as Intuitive Machines, the first company to successfully land on the moon.

• Texas A&M University is developing the $200M Texas Space Institute near the Johnson Space Center. It will include the world’s largest simulated lunar and Mars surfaces.  The TSI is part of the 240-acre Exploration Park under development adjacent to JSC.

• Exploration Park includes the Space Systems Campus applied research facility under development by the American Center for Manufacturing and Innovation, ACMI. The Space Systems Campus is designed to meet the demands of the rapidly evolving aerospace and defense industries.

• The constant flow of people and ideas between Houston’s “Big Three” industries of healthcare, energy, and aerospace ensures continuous collaboration and innovation. The natural flow is encouraged and facilitated by forums like Pumps & Pipes and prominent innovation centers like the ION District (including Greentown Labs), Houston Exponential, the Cannon Community, and Texas Medical Center Innovation.

• The region’s considerable manufacturing and supply chain capabilities serve all of its key industries, ensuring further cross-fertilization of ideas, skills, and people.

• The State of Texas and regional and local governments offer incentives, a low tax burden, a regulatory framework that encourages growth and investment, and no state income tax.

• The State of Texas established and funded the Texas Space Commission in 2023 to promote innovation in space exploration and commercial aerospace opportunities, including the integration of space, aeronautics, and aviation industries into the Texas economy. Initial funding for this program is set at $350M dollars and includes developing the $200M Texas Space Institute near JSC.

• The State of Texas offers a variety of incentive programs including the Texas Enterprise Fund, Texas Enterprise Zone Program, Texas Small Business Credit Initiative, and the Skills Development Fund, and others. Regional and municipal incentives are also available.

• Low costs and ready access to capital and investment opportunities makes Houston a magnet for startups, entrepreneurs, and companies seeking investors.

• A world-class port ranked #1 in the US in foreign tonnage.

• An airport system with two international airports.

• The Houston Spaceport, the only urban spaceport in the world.

• One of the nation’s busiest rail centers, with more than 800 miles of rail line served by 10 major rail companies.

• An interstate system with a dozen major highways bisecting the city.

• A central geographic location equidistant to the US east and west coasts. Houston is also the gateway to Central and South America.

• A world class supply chain infrastructure which, combined with its national and international transportation infrastructure, ensures efficient, cost effective production and distribution.

• An estimated 650,000 scientists, engineers, technical and business people, and healthcare workers work in Houston’s big three industries – healthcare, energy, and aerospace. Nearly 60,000 engineers, and more than 23,000 aerospace professionals, live and work in the region. This is one of the most talented, well-educated and diverse workforces in the country.

• Top-tier colleges, universities, and research institutions including Rice University, three University of Houston campuses, Texas Southern University, Texas A&M,  University of Texas, UT Medical Branch, Baylor College of Medicine, two Community College systems, and The Edge Center for training aerospace technicians.

• The only accredited space medicine and civilian aerospace medicine training programs in the world for medical students and residents at Baylor College of Medicine and UTMB, respectively

• Excellent public and private K-12 schools throughout the region.

• The 4th most populous city in the US.

• The most ethnically and culturally diverse city in the country with over 145 languages spoken.

• Home to over 12,000 restaurants, 380 public parks, 165 golf courses (and year-round golfing), and 5 major sports teams.

• Home to over 150 museums and cultural institutions covering nature, space, science, art, and more. Among these institutions is Space Center Houston, a nonprofit organization inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, innovators, and astronauts through the wonders of space exploration.

• Home to the Houston Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world.

#1 US city for the lowest salary needed to live comfortably, and 3rd lowest cost of living of the 20 most populous US cities

Directly connected to the Gulf of Mexico, America’s Third Coast. The area near NASA is the country’s third-largest pleasure boat basin.

“America’s coolest city” – Forbes Magazine

Meet with us at Space Symposium

4/9 (Tuesday) 4:00 – 5:00pm: Deloitte/Google Reception and Happy Hour (Cheyenne Mountain Resort, Remingtons I&II) – there is a free 4 minute shuttle from the Broadmoor to the Cheyenne Mountain Resort)

4/10 (Wednesday) 9:00 – 11:00am: JSC Open House at the Penrose House Conference Center (1661 Mesa Ave. Colorado Springs, CO 80906) - make sure to leave room in your schedule to get there on time, it’s a bit of a walk.

Directions to Penrose House Conference Center 

The facility is located slightly off the Broadmoor campus, about 0.8 miles from the International Center.  The address is 1661 Mesa Ave. Colorado Springs, CO 80906.  It’s best to just put that address into your favorite maps app on your phone.  Once you get to the facility, the JSC Open House will be taking place specifically in the “Carriage House” which is in the main level of Penrose House.