Howdy WHA Members!
I hope you all enjoyed Houston’s economy added 13,300 jobs in November, signaling steady growth across key sectors like trade, transportation, and utilities. This stable economic expansion reflects a post-pandemic shift, with significant implications for mobility infrastructure and land development as suburban housing demand remains robust. With hurricane season behind us, we still need to stay focused on increasing our region’s resilience by investing in flood mitigation, dependable energy supplies, and water infrastructure.
At the Citywide Vision: Insights from New Houston At-Large Council Members forum in November, we explored how local leaders are tackling challenges tied to this growth. Council Members Julian Ramirez and Twilia Carter shared their priorities, from improving infrastructure to addressing housing affordability. Their insights spurred a vibrant discussion on collaboration, emphasizing the need for innovative partnerships and forward-thinking policies to shape Houston’s future. These conversations, coupled with ongoing committee work, underscore WHA’s commitment to fostering resilient and high-quality development across the region.
December is an active month as we prepare for the opportunities ahead. Several committee meetings are still taking place between now and the end of the year to plan for 2025. The Government Affairs Committee is meeting on December 9 to finalize our 2025 Legislative Agenda. The Sustainable Infrastructure Committee meets on December 10 to discuss their April 2025 Forum. On December 12th there will be a joint session of the Education & Workforce Committee and Quality Planned Development Committee to discuss the 2025 QPD Symposium. The Regional Mobility Committee gathers on December 16 and one of the topics of discussion is the proposed amendments to the City of Houston Sidewalk ordinances, and we’ll close out the year with a the Water Resources Committee meeting on December 19.
Looking ahead, 2025 promises impactful events like Wasted Water: The Aging Infrastructure Dilemma on February 6 and Planning for Houston’s Future on March 27. These gatherings will offer opportunities to collaborate and drive innovation as we address the region’s challenges. We will also welcome some new board members and committee leaders in 2025, which will be announced in January. While still six months out, the WHA Rising Leaders are already starting to plan the 2025 Topgolf Tournament. Meanwhile, we are starting the planning process for the next class of Rising Leaders, so if you are interested or would like to nominate someone, please let us know!
Thank you for your dedication and engagement throughout 2024. Together, we’ve laid a strong foundation for the future!