Celebrating 25 Years of Service to Galveston
Expanding and Diversifying Galveston's Employment & Tax Bases
GEDP’s 2025 Annual Members Meeting: Driving Galveston’s Economic Future
At our Annual Meeting, members approved the 2025 Work Plan, Budget, and Leadership Slate while gaining valuable insights from market analyst Victoria Greene and maritime industry expert Robert Sakowitz.
We proudly honored founding member Bill Rider and longtime Secretary John Kelso for their dedication and leadership. Key initiatives for 2025 include business retention efforts, targeted economic development planning, and a reimagined Investment Summit.
Special thanks to our sponsors, Howie Bentley of Classic Auto and Johnnie Smecca of Mario’s on the Seawall, for hosting in their newly renovated space.
Stay engaged as we continue working together to propel Galveston’s economic growth forward!
Join Us at Beerfoot March 27th for the Construction Consortium
Are you a Member? If not. Join for free by signing up here.
Please Register for the March Event by clicking below!
Thanks to all of you, the 2024 GEDP Summit was a tremendous success. We hope you enjoyed key moments such as the historic signing between the Port of Galveston and Norwegian Cruise Line, the beautiful performance by the Galveston Symphony, and the engaging breakout sessions.
With great attendance, excellent food, and meaningful fellowship, the summit truly showcased Galveston’s momentum. We are grateful for the strong support from our sponsors, exhibitors, and the TAMUG and UTMB teams, all of whom played a vital role in making this event exceptional.
A special thank you to Frost Bank for the thoughtful RFID-protected card holders at each table. We also extend our sincere thanks to all our amazing sponsors, whose support is essential in helping us propel Galveston forward.
If you haven’t yet completed the survey, please take a moment to share your feedback today. We’d love to hear from you!
Thank You for a Successful 2024 GEDP Summit!
Our Heartfelt Thanks to Our 2024 Summit Sponsors
GEDP Developer Profile 2024
As part of our Annual Economic Development Summit, the GEDP publishes the Developer Profile. This comprehensive publication offers in-depth demographic and statistical data on Galveston and its key industry sectors, while also spotlighting current, upcoming, and recently completed projects and developments.
New Member Highlight
Welcome: CertaPro Painters
The GEDP is excited to welcome CertaPro Painters to the GEDP. Led by Scott Blair, who has owned the business since 2014, CertaPro Painters is built on a foundation of integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Scott brings a wealth of experience from his financial and home services background with Fortune 500 companies, ensuring exceptional attention to clients’ needs and expectations.
CertaPro Painters specializes in providing solutions for all your painting needs, offering peace of mind through home maintenance and repair expertise. Scott and his team are passionate about delivering a personal and extraordinary painting experience where customers can be sure of the outcome.
The GEDP is thrilled to welcome Scott Blair and CertaPro Painters to Galveston and looks forward to the positive impact they will have on our community.
New Member Highlight
Welcome: Kean Miller
The GEDP is pleased to welcome Kean Miller to our growing network of dedicated partners.
With a robust team of over 200 attorneys across offices in Houston, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Shreveport, Lake Charles, and The Woodlands, Kean Miller delivers comprehensive legal services tailored to the unique needs of individuals, businesses, and industries that fuel our regional economy.
Kean Miller offers strategic legal advice and counsel that helps clients achieve their goals with practical solutions and unparalleled value. Serving a wide range of clients, from Fortune 500 companies to local businesses, their commitment to efficient, cost-effective services is evident both in the courtroom and the boardroom.
The GEDP is excited to welcome Kean Miller to Galveston and is grateful for their investment in our community. We look forward to their continued contributions to building a stronger regional economy.
To Learn More About becoming a Member of the GEDP, Please Take a Look at Our Membership Packet.
The GEDP supports existing and new businesses by providing the infrastructure to be globally competitive.
Since 1999, through the public-private membership base of the GEDP, assistance has been provided, including demographic and socioeconomic information, utilization of a comprehensive Geographic Information System (GIS) for project development activities, maintenance of an information clearinghouse and economic climate assessments that have been made available to those seeking to make Galveston a better place.
Priority areas of investment include those projects capable of expanding or enhancing the core industries for the Galveston economic base: Maritime, Tourism, Education, Healthcare, and Emerging Technologies.
Maximizing Galveston’s human, natural, and financial resources, the GEDP remains committed to facilitating quality projects that work to expand Galveston’s employment and tax bases. Galveston is an island of opportunity and the GEDP looks forward to working with you on future projects.