Halifax to Houston, where steak is big and opportunities are bigger

Houston is a huge, hot and growing city. It is the fourth largest city in the USA and may be third soon.

It was a city that was entirely dependent on oil and gas up until the early 1980's, and has now diversified considerably. It is true Texas...big in every sense. Big buildings, big cars and big steaks.

This week it is host to 70,000 delegates at the NRA convention, and host to 85,000 delegates at the OTC (Offshore Technology Convention). It is also the host of the World Energy Cities Partnership (WECP)...which is why I am here.

Halifax has been a member of the WECP for years, and hosted the conference a decade ago. Other members include some of the fastest growing and, in most cases, prosperous cities in the world. Houston, Rio, Stavanger (Norway), Perth, Doha, Aberdeen and Calgary are active members. This year's chair is Mayor Dennis O'Keefe of St. John's. Sitting at the table, and having bilateral meetings with these cities is an experience that is hard to replicate in other settings. Other significant cities are anxious to join this group, and are campaigning to be included. At the meeting this week two cities (Esbjerg,Denmark and Karamay,China) made presentations to the board in support of their applications.

This is a community that Halifax is privileged to be party to...and this is where the Mayor of Halifax should be. The OTC meetings are equally important as Halifax is benefitting from investments in its offshore in coming months from both BP and Shell. These companies have each committed over 1 billion dollars in exploration projects. These are significant investments that mean significant benefits for our community.

 

This week I have had the opportunity to meet the senior officials of both companies, and have had the opportunity to talk about their expectations and challenges. Other firms that are eyeing Nova Scotia are here as well, as are a large number of Nova Scotian companies who are networking and establishing a presence in the energy world. The province is well represented and the Maritime Energy association and Offshore Energy Research Association are both actively represented.

 

Being in Houston this week is important for HRM. This is where decisions are made, relationships are built and strengthened and learning from other Energy Cities takes place.

Halifax has great opportunities for Economic Development. Bringing the story of Halifax to the world is the job of many, including the Mayor. This week the story is being told in Houston.