Port of Houston Authority Introduces New Economic Development Department; Other Development Organizations Invited to Meet Sept. 3


HOUSTON, Aug. 28, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Port of Houston Authority's new economic development department will host an introductory meeting for economic development organizations from throughout the greater Houston area Thursday, September 3.

The Economic Development Introduction and Collaborative Meeting will bring together economic development professionals for a port briefing, as well as a roundtable discussion about attracting additional importing and exporting companies to the region.

The meeting will begin at 3 p.m. at the Port Authority executive offices at 111 East Loop North (exit 29), but registration is required and space is limited. Interested economic development organizations can REGISTER HERE.

Economic development has been a major component of the Port Authority's overall mission for many years, and these efforts are being expanded by the newly created economic development department led by Shane Williams, Foreign Trade Zone and Economic Development Manager.

The department will be focused on working with partner organizations from throughout the region to attract new businesses that will use the port. Retention of existing users also will be a priority.

"The economic development community in the Houston area is already doing great work," Williams said. "We want to support the existing efforts to bring more international trade-related jobs to the region."

The Port Authority has been meeting with many economic development officials throughout the region to discuss local development goals and priorities, as well as ways to collaborate in the future.

Business already is moving at a record pace at the Port Authority's terminals, with almost 20 million tons of cargo crossing the docks during the first half of 2015. Through June, the Barbours Cut and Bayport container terminals showed a 20 percent increase in loaded container units.

About the Port of Houston Authority

For more than 100 years, the Port of Houston Authority has owned or operated the public cargo-handling facilities of the Port of Houston – the nation's largest port for foreign waterborne tonnage. The port is an economic engine for the Houston region, the state of Texas and the nation. It supports the creation of more than one million statewide jobs and more than 2.1 million nationwide jobs, and the generation of economic activity totaling more than $178.5 billion in Texas and $499 billion across the nation. For more information, visit the Port Authority website at: www.portofhouston.com

The Port of Houston Authority logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=719


            

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