Celebrating 25 Years of Service to Galveston
Expanding and Diversifying Galveston's Employment & Tax Bases
Ground Breaking Celebration | Davie Defense & Gulf Copper
The Galveston Economic Development Partnership joined with Davie Defense, Gulf Copper, the City of Galveston, the Port of Galveston, and state and federal government leaders, celebrated a historic groundbreaking on Pelican Island for a new shipbuilding facility that returns complex shipbuilding to the Texas Gulf Coast.
Davie Defense's $1 billion investment will create more than 2,400 quality jobs—from welders and pipefitters to electricians and engineers—with many careers developed locally through training partnerships with Texas A&M University at Galveston and Galveston College.
The facility will produce U.S. Coast Guard Arctic security cutters as its first vessels, positioning Galveston at the center of critical national security manufacturing. This transformational project is the result of sustained collaboration among local, state, and federal partners who remained committed to the table, bringing this investment home.
With Governor Abbott, Senator Cruz, Representative Weber, and U.S. Coast Guard leadership in attendance, the groundbreaking reflects the broad coalition effort behind this achievement—and marks the beginning of the real work of building the future.
A Record-Breaking Summit. A Shared Vision for Galveston’s Future.
The Galveston Economic Development Partnership (GEDP) and the Galveston Center for Innovation and Transformation (GCIT) extend our sincere appreciation to the hundreds of attendees, sponsors, and partners who made the 13th Annual Economic Development Summit — Investing in Galveston a resounding success.
This year’s Summit was completely sold out — every table, ticket, and exhibitor space reserved — marking the most well-attended event in GEDP history. The energy, ideas, and engagement throughout the day reflected Galveston’s momentum and its growing role as a regional economic leader.
More than a forum, the Summit has become a catalyst — uniting leaders from business, government, education, healthcare, and the nonprofit sectors to exchange ideas and build partnerships that shape the island’s economic future. Together, we explored the opportunities and challenges that define Galveston’s growth — from workforce development and housing to healthcare, infrastructure, tourism, and innovation.
Our Heartfelt Thanks to Our 2025 Summit Sponsors
Keynote Sponsor
City of Galveston
Industrial Development Corporation
Luncheon Sponsors
Frost Bank
Galveston-Texas City Pilots
Falcontail Marketing & Design
Galveston Independent School District
Galveston Restaurant Group
Galveston-Texas City Pilots
GB Tech
Gulf Copper Drydock & Rig Repair
Ham, Langston & Brezina, LLP
Branded Conference Tote Sponsor
HomeTown Bank
VIP Reception Sponsors
G Squared Private Wealth
Bassett Family Interests
Galveston Restaurant Group
Pioneer
Innovator
Accelerator
Entrepreneur
Hensel Phelps
J.W. Kelso Company, Inc.
Joe Tramonte Realty, Inc.
Kirby Advertising
McCoy’s Building Supply
O’Connor Tax Reduction Experts
Sullivan Brothers Family of Companies
Presenting Gift Sponsor
Moody Bank
Breakfast Sponsors
Port of Galveston / Galveston Wharves
Hensel Phelps
Marie Robb for Mayor
Gulf Copper Drydock & Rig Repair
Teichman Group
Texas A&M University at Galveston
Texas First Bank
The San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center
The Tremont House
Titan Technologies
Tolunay-Wong Engineers
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.
Welcome New Members
As a member of the GEDP, you are now part of a private, non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the economic future of our entire community — from expanding employment opportunities and growing the tax base to creating a pro-business climate that attracts new investment to our Island. Your membership plays a vital role in driving that mission forward. Through participation in our critical task forces, you will have a direct hand in shaping the strategies and plans that make Galveston a thriving place to live, work, and do business.
New Member Highlight
Welcome: Triple S-Steel Supply – Galveston, TX
Triple-S Steel was established in 1960 by Bruce Stein as a small steel distribution yard in Houston, TX, and has grown into a leading steel supplier with locations across multiple states. The Galveston location specifically came about after Triple-S Steel Holdings acquired the assets of Galveston-based Industrial Material Corp. in November 2025, sparing the longtime island business from closure.
They serve Galveston and the surrounding Gulf Coast communities with a full line of steel and metal products, positioned as the go-to supplier for construction, fabrication, and industrial projects of all sizes.
The facility stocks a wide inventory including angle, bar, beam, channel, decking, expanded metal, pipe, rebar, sheet, and more — available in carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and galvanized steel. Beyond raw material supply, the Galveston facility offers in-house metal processing including plasma cutting, saw cutting, shearing, will call/same-day pickup, and just-in-time delivery.
Their customer base includes residential and commercial contractors, fabricators and welders, OEMs, industrial operations, farmers and ranchers, municipal/government entities, and walk-in retail customers.
Visit Triple-S Steel Supply online at https://www.triple-s-steel.com/galveston-steel-supplier/
New Member Highlight
Welcome: The San Luis Resort – Galveston, TX
A flagship of Galveston’s hospitality economy, The San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center joins GEDP as a 32‑acre beachfront destination known for elevated service and year‑round appeal. The San Luis has held the AAA Four Diamond designation since 1999 and offers a mix of luxury rooms and suites—250 guest rooms, each with a private balcony—along with signature dining concepts like The Steakhouse, Grotto, and Blake’s Bistro. The resort is part of the Landry’s family of hospitality brands rooted in the Gulf Coast.
Beyond leisure, The San Luis is a powerhouse for meetings and events. Across the resort complex, planners can access ~200,000 sq. ft. of meeting facilities, ~700 adjacent guest rooms, and ten restaurants, anchored by an IACC‑accredited conference center. Connected to the property is the Galveston Island Convention Center at The San Luis Resort—140,000 sq. ft. with a 43,100‑sq.‑ft. Exhibit hall, 15,500‑sq.‑ft. Grand ballroom, and 12,000 sq. ft. of breakout space overlooking the Gulf. Together, this capacity supports year‑round group business and “shoulder‑season” visitation that benefits local employers and small businesses alike.
The San Luis also celebrates Galveston’s heritage—its dramatic siting incorporates the historic Fort Crockett battery structures—and continues to invest in amenities that keep visitors returning, from The Cove's tropical pool with private cabanas to the secluded Villas at The San Luis for ultra-private stays. We’re proud to welcome a member that embodies both place and progress.
Visit The San Luis Resort online at https://www.sanluisresort.com/
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.