(The Center Square) – As Texas continues to lead in population and job growth nationwide, major companies are expanding in the state’s largest city of Houston.
From oil and natural gas companies to big tech and sports entertainment, major companies are expanding operations and establishing headquarters in Houston, the fourth largest city in the country.
The largest independent natural gas producer in the U.S., Expand Energy Corp., is relocating its corporate headquarters and executive leadership team to Spring, north of Houston, from Oklahoma City. The move comes after a multibillion-dollar merger between Chesapeake Energy and Southwestern Energy last year.
It’s also meeting increased liquified natural gas (LNG) demand as the Iran conflict continues to disrupt shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, The Center Square reported.
“The world critically needs natural gas supply to meet rapidly rising power demand, growing industrial activity, and global LNG expansion to address a global reset in energy security,” Mike Wichterich, interim president and CEO of Expand Energy said when announcing first quarter results. “We’re built for this future as the largest, low-cost, market-connected natural gas producer in America, with differentiat”
After a recent merger, Devon Energy’s new headquarters will also be Houston, expected this year. The company also announced its plan to expand operations in the Delaware Basin (in the Permian Basin in west Texas), responding to increased demand as geopolitical conflicts continue.
New Canadian-Texas oil and natural gas partnerships are also being forged in Houston, The Center Square reported.
Earlier this year, Exxon Mobil announced its plans to redomicile in Spring, leaving New Jersey after more than 100 years, citing Texas’ new business court. In 2024, Chevron, the oil giant founded in California, relocated its headquarters to Houston. Other major companies reincorporating in Texas are also citing its “Boom Belt” policies and new business court.
As the energy capital of the world, Houston is “fueled by a strong talent pool that supports over 4,200 firms in oil and gas and advanced energy tech,” the Greater Houston Partnership explains. “With two international airports, four deepwater ports, and a thriving network of R&D hubs and startup accelerators, Houston drives innovation across the region. Houston is not just an oil and gas powerhouse but the epicenter of the energy evolution, shaping the future of renewables, hydrogen, carbon capture, biofuels and next-generation technologies.”
When it comes to big tech, Houston is also becoming a major AI hub with new Apple AI server manufacturing and Nvidia semiconductor manufacturing plants, The Center Square reported. Both are partnering with Houston higher education institutions and investing in local communities with long-term economic growth as a stated goal.
Apple is soon rolling out its first Mac mini made in the U.S., manufactured at a new facility in northwest Houston. Apple’s ongoing expansion in the Houston area is expected to create thousands of jobs, it says.
“Apple is deeply committed to the future of American manufacturing, and we’re proud to significantly expand our footprint in Houston with the production of Mac mini,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said. He also said their operations were ahead of schedule, including the shipping of advanced AI servers from Houston.
When it comes to professional sports, the WNBA is returning to Houston thanks to billionaire businessman Tilman Fertitta and his company Fertitta Entertainment.
On Thursday, the WNBA and NBA approved the sale of the Connecticut Sun from the Mohegan Tribe to Tilman Fertitta. The team will be renamed the Houston Comets after one of the eight original WNBA teams when the league launched in 1997.
Houston hasn’t had a WNBA team since 2008 when the Houston Comets disbanded.
The Houston Comets 2.0 will play at Toyota Center when the 2027 season begins next year.
