Serving Galveston since 1999

Expanding and diversifying Galveston’s economy.

GEDP gives businesses, investors, and members the local intelligence, project support, and relationships they need to act with confidence in Galveston.

Start a project brief Choose your starting point
Established 1999Created by Galveston business and community leaders
5 sectorsMaritime, tourism, education, healthcare and emerging technologies
Private nonprofitMembership-based and focused on the whole community
Choose your path

Start with your goal

What are you here to accomplish?

Choose the situation that fits. GEDP will direct you to the most useful tool, resource, or conversation.

Ferry operations on Galveston’s working waterfront at sunsetGEDP · Local guidance

Site selectors & investors

See whether Galveston fits the project.

Move from a broad location screen to relevant properties, current data, infrastructure context, and informed local follow-up.

  • Property and community search
  • Demographic and workforce intelligence
  • Introductions to relevant local partners
Open site-selection desk Build a confidential brief

Local knowledge put to work

Clearer decisions. Stronger connections.

GEDP was created in 1999 by Galveston’s business and community leaders to expand and diversify the island’s employment and tax bases.

GEDP supports existing and new businesses with location intelligence, project resources, and direct connections to local partners—while protecting the quality of place that makes Galveston distinctive.

See GEDP’s role
Downtown Galveston and a historic church at golden hourDowntown Galveston at golden hour

Bring GEDP the decision

  • LocationWhere can the project work?
  • EvidenceWhat does the current data show?
  • PartnersWho needs to be at the table?

Galveston’s industry strengths

Five core industries. One interconnected economy.

GEDP concentrates on the sectors where Galveston’s location, institutions, infrastructure, and talent offer a credible advantage.

Maritime

Gulf access, port infrastructure, and established maritime expertise support shipbuilding and related services.

Explore maritime

Tourism

Galveston’s visitor economy supports local business, hospitality investment, and the quality of place that draws people to the island.

Explore tourism

Education

Galveston College, Texas A&M Galveston, and UTMB connect education with workforce and research needs.

Explore education

Healthcare

UTMB anchors healthcare, research, education, and specialized talent on the island.

Explore healthcare

Emerging technologies

GEDP identifies emerging technologies as a core industry priority connected to local research, education, and specialized talent.

Explore emerging technologies
Local businesses exhibiting at the Galveston Construction B2B ExpoA speaker addressing the Galveston Construction B2B Expo

GEDP Construction Consortium

See what’s coming. Meet who is building it.

Through the Construction Consortium and B2B programs, GEDP helps local firms understand upcoming work, meet project teams, and build the relationships required to compete.

Meet the Consortium

The latest from GEDP

The work, made visible.

View all news & events
A project presentation at the Galveston Construction B2B Expo

Construction Consortium · August 12, 2026

B2B Expo connects major projects with Galveston businesses

Contractors, suppliers, project leaders, and business professionals met around Davie Defense, Texas A&M Galveston, and Port of Galveston investment.Read the story
Galveston’s working waterfront and ship channel

Maritime · 2026 project milestone

Groundbreaking marks the return of complex shipbuilding to Galveston

The project-specific announcement described a $1 billion Davie Defense investment and more than 2,400 projected jobs.Read the story

The GEDP member network

More voices at Galveston’s economic table.

These selected member highlights reflect the cross-sector organizations that contribute insight, relationships, and leadership to Galveston’s business climate.

Explore membership Search the live directory (opens in a new tab)
  • Woodworkers Tool & Supply
  • United Rentals
  • Koza’s
  • Forman Equipment & Contracting Co
  • Crestmark Construction Services
  • Coastal Electrical Services