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The
Houston Area
A dynamic port helped fuel the Houston area's development
as a center of international business and trade. But
companies that do business internationally also find
Houston attractive because of its well-developed financial
infrastructure, skilled work force and diverse population.
Ample space and favorable conditions for industrial
development, as well as for cargo handling, make Houston
a choice location for industry.
A
Strategic Location
 Houston's
geographic location has proven to be one of its best
assets. Centrally located on the Gulf Coast, Houston
is a strategic gateway for cargo originating in or destined
for the U.S. West and Midwest. Houston lies within close
reach of one of the nation's largest concentrations
of consumers. More than 17 million people live within
300 miles of the city, and approximately 60 million
live within 700 miles. Ample truck, rail and air connections
allow shippers to economically transport their goods
between Houston and inland points.
Foreign
Representation
Houston is a multicultural community and a thriving
international business center. Houston's eight-county
metro area is home to
56 percent of the Texas companies that have operations
in other countries and 52 percent of the foreign companies
with Texas offices, according to the Texas Department
of Economic Development.
Houston has the nation's third largest
consular corps with 88 nations represented. Additionally,
the Bayou City has 25 foreign banks, 42 international
chambers of commerce and trade associations, and numerous
Houston operations of foreign-owned companies. Consequently,
Houston is home to a large group of international citizens.
In additional to being a hotbed of
entrepreneurial activity, Houston is a major corporate
center. Houston is one of only eight U.S. cities to
have a regional office of the U.S. Export-Import Bank.
In 2003, the eight-county Houston-Galveston-Brazoria
metro area placed fifth nationally with 19 Fortune
500 companies based here. Also, Houston is one of the
nation's "top 25 cities for entrepreneurs"
in 2003, according to Entrepreneur and Dun
& Bradstreet.
Houston's numerous assets have resulted
in the region becoming a high-technology and manufacturing
center. In 2001, Industry Week ranked Houston
as one of 12 world-class communities for manufacturing
for the fourth consecutive year. Only three other US
cities made that 2001 listing.
Weather
Conditions
 Houston
weather is usually fair to excellent, with temperatures
moderated by winds from the Gulf of Mexico resulting
in mild winters and warm summer nights.
Prevailing winds are from the southeast
and south, except in January, when frequent passages
of high pressure areas bring invasions of polar air
and prevailing northerly winds. Destructive windstorms
are fairly infrequent, but both thunder squalls and
tropical storms occasionally pass through the area.
The average number of days with minimum
temperatures of 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower is about
seven per year in the city, and about 15 in outlying
areas. Most freezing temperatures last only a few hours
and are usually accompanied by clear skies. In the city
the average date of the first 32 degree temperature
is Dec. 11 and the last is Feb. 5.
Normal rainfall is about 48.19"
(122 cm) and is well distributed throughout the year.
Precipitation may vary substantially in different parts
of the city on a day-to-day basis.
An
Environmental Commitment
The Port of Houston Authority strives for policies and
programs that allow nature and industry to successfully
coexist. The Port Authority is committed to ensuring
that PHA facilities are in compliance with environmental
regulations. Moreover, PHA staff has been involved in
a number of environmental activities, helping to develop
programs for using dredge materials in a beneficial
manner and for better management of dredge material
disposal sites.
An
Emphasis on Ecology
The port has developed and implemented award-winning
programs that balance the needs of global trade and
commerce with local environmental protection. For example,
we redeveloped Redfish Island. This plot of land had
been a favorite anchorage for boaters until it succumbed
to subsidence. Working with the US Army Corps of Engineers
and the Beneficial Uses Group — a coalition of
federal and state agencies — and at the request
of the community, the port led the efforts to rebuild
that island. Today, it is again a favorite boating destination
as well as a bird habitat and rookery. We also designed
Redfish Island to encourage oyster growth, to re-establish
itself as an oyster reef.
The port's modernization project to
deepen and widen the Ship Channel was crafted with the
preservation of Galveston Bay in mind. As project sponsor,
the Port Authority worked with a coalition of state
and federal resource authorities in developing the plan.
The coalition also received input from environmental
and bay interest groups. Our strategy focused on:
| • |
Dredge material is
a resource |
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Only environmentally
acceptable methods would be used for the dredged
disposal |
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The plan would result
in long-term "net positive environmental effect"
on Galveston Bay. |
Through these diligent methods, the
material from the channel bottom has been reborn as
the new Redfish Island.
A
Commitment to Security
The Port of Houston Authority is committed
to a safe and secure environment for all employees,
tenants, and stakeholders at its port facilities. To
read a copy of PHA's Security Management Policy, click
here.
Last updated: 03/27/08
Port
of Houston Authority
111 East Loop North • Houston, Texas 77029
P.O. Box 2562 • Houston, Texas 77252-2562
Phone: 713-670-2400
Copyright 2006 Port of
Houston Authority • All Rights Reserved
For questions and comments, send an e-mail.
Please include company name and phone number, when appropriate,
so we may better respond to your inquiry.
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