NONPROFIT
BY WESLEY GARDNER
Partnership Lake Houston, which serves as both a chamber of commerce and an economic development corporation for the Humble, Kingwood and Atascocita area, will celebrate its 100-year anniversary in April. (Wesley Gardner/Community Impact)
Partnership Lake Houston Area chamber, economic development corporation to mark 100 years in 2023 P artnership Lake Houston has been a staple in the community for a long to engage the dierent businesses where they are with what they need,” Sheldon said, noting the nonprot is 100% funded by business memberships.
PREMIER PARTNERSHIPS Partnership Lake Houston serves as a chamber of commerce and an economic development corporation for six ZIP codes in the Lake Houston area. However, President and CEO Kyle Sheldon said the nonprot can sometimes work with businesses beyond these boundaries.
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time—100 years, to be exact. The nonprot, which serves as a chamber of commerce and eco- nomic development corporation for the Humble, Kingwood and Atascocita areas, will celebrate its 100-year anniversary in April. According to President and CEO Kyle Sheldon, the organization— then known as the Humble Chamber of Commerce—was initially formed April 19, 1923. “Over time, our service area expanded; our name changed; and our organization has been recog- nized on all levels—local, state, and international,” Sheldon said. Sheldon noted the Humble Chamber of Commerce even- tually changed its name to the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce after expanding its coverage area and then merged with the Lake Houston Area Economic Development Part- nership in October 2020 to form Partnership Lake Houston. Sheldon said the nonprot’s aim as a chamber of commerce is to help promote local businesses and support their needs. “It’s really just about building a stronger community—nding ways
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Sheldon noted several network- ing opportunities are hosted for the organization’s nearly 1,000 members every month as well as monthly luncheons. Stephanie Wiggins, the organization’s chief economic development ocer, said the economic development side of the nonprot’s aim is to attract and recruit businesses. “[Attracting new businesses] brings new jobs to the territory, so that benets the community,” Wiggins said. Partnership Lake Houston has brought several major companies to the area in the last few years, including hydroponically grown lettuce manufacturer Kalera and Living Spaces, which brought 70 and 200 jobs to the area, respectively. Wiggins and Sheldon said they were both excited to see what the nonprot can accomplish as it heads into the year of its centen- nial anniversary. “Everybody is on the same page and excited to see where 2023 takes us,” Wiggins said.
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Partnership Lake Houston 110 W. Main St., Humble 281-319-8910 www.lakehouston.org Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Sat.-Sun. SERVICES PROVIDED • Networking events to connect local businesses • A monthly luncheon featuring best practices from local businesses • Exclusive business referrals and bids • Search-engine-optimized business listing on lakehouston.org
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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • JANUARY 2023
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