Strategic Plan 2007-2011:
The Foundation for Bay Area Houston's Future

BAY AREA HOUSTON TEXAS, Feb. 9, 2007 – Just as any good captain knows, charting a course makes sense whether you are sailing a boat or planning for the future.

The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership has done just that with the completion of its second five-year Strategic Plan, a design for growth and change to provide the leadership to stimulate regional economic development and employment. In 2001, the first Strategic Plan was rolled out for the years 2002-2006.

“The Strategic Plan maps a path creating jobs and fostering success for our members, 12 cities and counties and their citizens,” said Jim Reinhartsen, president of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership. “After listening to our stakeholders, this organization has developed a plan that is committed to regional cooperation and collaboration, responsible leadership and sound management.”

The organization has continually embraced change with its first Strategic Plan for 2002-2006 and a name change from the Clear Lake Area Economic Development Foundation in 2003.

The focus of its regional leadership remains expanding, retaining, recruiting and creating business. After reassessment, the targets have been refined. The new Strategic Plan concentrates on clusters -- primary industry, job intensive and emerging. Previously, the focal point was on the “ABCs” of Bay Area Houston – aerospace, biotech and chemical.

The primary industry clusters of aerospace and chemical anchor the region with two world-class facilities – the NASA Johnson Space Center and the Bayport Industrial Complex. Human space flight and specialty chemical rely on each other’s innovations to both go where only others dare to dream.

The job-intensive clusters of healthcare, education and the combination of recreation, tourism and the arts blanket the area and elevate the quality of life.  Educational opportunities, medical resources and a variety of ways to spend free time mandate proper staffing levels to guarantee satisfaction from a discerning consumer.

Technology and biotechnology comprise the emerging industry cluster with spinoffs from the NASA Johnson Space Center, the University of Texas Medical Branch, its Galveston National Laboratory and the biotech corridor of I-45. Startup companies with technology transferred from space to Earth also make up the growing potential in the Bay Area Houston region.

Richard E. Allen, Jr., chairman of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership for 2007, said that the planning process and meetings with focus groups have distilled a set of economic development priorities and a strategy for achieving them.

"The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership will use its considerable reputation and advocacy for economic development to help the whole region prosper,” said the president and CEO of Space Center Houston.

“By working closely with elected officials and state and federal agencies, this organization offers steady leadership with an eye out for responsible business in the future.”

Previous Five Year Strategic Plan

UPDATE: On Jan. 1, 2008, Bob Mitchell became president of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, and Dr. Bernard A. Milstein, president of The Eye Clinic of Texas, was elected chairman of its Board of Directors.