We have officially reached the halfway point of 2025, and it has already been an exciting and impactful year at the Pearland Chamber of Commerce. I want to begin by thanking all our members. Your continued support is what fuels our work and empowers us to be a catalyst for growth throughout the Pearland community.
As we did last year, this email is a snapshot of the Chamber at mid-year. If you missed it, please click here for our 2024 Annual Report.
Membership – We welcomed 90 new members in the first six months of the year, including new Platinum Member Galveston Limousine. The membership is currently made up of 83% of businesses with less than 25 employees. Overall, the Chamber’s membership is now over 730 members, and this is because of your renewals and support. Please visit our online directory for a full list of members or our membership map. New this year, our Chamber of Influence campaign and Small Business Meet Ups have created meaningful opportunities for local businesses to increase their visibility. Through free social media promotion and open networking events across Pearland, these initiatives highlight the strength of our business community and expand the reach and impact of Chamber engagement.
Keeping you In the Know – We continue to see strong engagement with the key communications tools. The Advantage highlights events and articles that help elevate your business and give you a competitive edge in day-to-day operations. The Lineup outlines each month’s Chamber activities, so you always know what’s coming up. Both resources—along with the Pearland Data Report—make up our “In the Know” brand, designed to keep you informed on everything impacting your organization in the Pearland region.
Engagement – The Chamber tracks the engagement and satisfaction of our membership. We know our members are busy, but through the first six months of the year, we have seen 47% of our members attend a program, committee, or event. We have seen 1,279 people attend our five monthly luncheons and have hosted 37 ribbon cuttings. You can always keep up with what’s going on by visiting our event calendar.
Mental Health Investment – Addressing the mental health crisis in our region was our top legislative priority for the 2025 session. After hearing directly from businesses, schools, and law enforcement, we began advocating in 2023 for expanded access to crisis care. Over the next two years, we worked alongside state legislators, local leaders, and community partners to push for meaningful action. We are proud to share that the State of Texas allocated $5,000,000 to expand crisis stabilization services and facilities in Brazoria County—marking a critical first step toward a long-term solution. This work is supported by our Pearland Cares initiative, which brings together businesses, healthcare providers, and local organizations to elevate mental health as a community priority.
Work in Pearland – WorkinPearland.com has grown significantly since its launch just two years ago. Today, the site connects more than 4,500 job seekers with over 120 companies and features 200+ active job postings. This interactive job board and employer resource is becoming the go-to platform for hiring in Pearland. It remains a free tool for Pearland businesses and Chamber members—we encourage you to sign up and take advantage of this growing workforce network. Also, we have our in-person job fair on September 17 and companies interested in a booth can register here.
In addition to the job board, our Workforce Development Committee is actively supporting talent development by hosting intern-focused events and planning a Manufacturing Day in 2025 for high school students to explore local career opportunities. These efforts reflect our commitment to building a strong pipeline of future workers right here in Pearland.
Pearland Innovation Hub – The Chamber is proud to manage the Pearland Innovation Hub, a program designed to support entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses in our region. Through project-based technical assistance, the PIH helps small businesses, entrepreneurs, and startups tackle real-world challenges with tailored solutions. The annual Pitch Competition held in May 2025 awarded the grand prize to Yellow Apron Baking. This year, we also hosted a Youth Shark Tank, where more than 20 students learned entrepreneurial skills and pitched their ideas to a panel of judges. These initiatives reflect our continued commitment to fostering innovation and strengthening Pearland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
First Friday and Monthly Luncheons - These are two of our signature monthly programs. First Fridays, presented by A&A Cleaning Services, continues to be Pearland’s premier networking event and we are thankful for our location hosts in 2025 including MobilityWorks, Chara Christian Dance Academy, Vic Coppinger Family YMCA and Beyond The Celebration. We will continue the program in August and would love to see you at a First Friday. The Chamber has had fantastic monthly luncheons this year including our first State of the Chamber, the State of the City with Mayor Cole, State of Pearland ISD with Superintendent Larry Berger, State of Higher Education with Dr. Richard Walker from University of Houston-Clear Lake, Dr. Robert Exley from Alvin Community College, and Dr. Allatia Harris from San Jacinto College, and our Leadership Summit with Jeff Bagwell. We are excited about our second half speaker lineup including the State of Law Enforcement, Jeff Nadalo of Buc-ee’s, the State of the County, and the Pearland Economic Development Corporation Update. Please visit our website for RSVP information.
Programs – The Grand Dinner, presented by Community Health Network, was introduced this year and held on April 25. This special evening brought our community together around a shared table to enjoy a meal, listen to great music, and raise a glass to the heart of Old Town Pearland. During Women’s History Month, the Chamber hosted the Power of Us Luncheon, presented by Friendly Faces Healthcare, welcoming over 200 attendees to celebrate the contributions of women in business and leadership. We also featured an all women-owned business showcase during a special First Friday event, underscoring the vital role women play in driving innovation and shaping our community’s future. As part of Small Business Week, we held 15 events spotlighting local entrepreneurs and presented the Emerging Business Award to LIT Java Coffee and Books for their exceptional growth and community impact. Additionally, the Chamber hosted two Meet and Greets, one with the newly appointed TxDOT Houston District Director and another with newly local elected officials, providing members with valuable access to key decision makers and strengthening the connection between business and public leadership.
Leadership Development – We believe in investing in the next generation of business leaders. The Leadership Pearland Class of 2025 graduated in June, with 14 participants now equipped to make an immediate impact in our community. The class project focused on collecting books for both Pearland ISD and Alvin ISD and the class successfully collected over 5,500 books! The next class begins in September, and details are available through the Pearland Leadership Foundation. In addition, the Chamber continues to support professional growth through our Knowledge Series. This year, we hosted two dynamic training sessions—one focused on engaging Gen Z and Gen Alpha in the workplace, and another on Leveraging Google tools to enhance business operations. These sessions help equip our members to navigate today’s evolving workforce and technology landscape.
The Commerce Center – The Commerce Center remains a central hub for business support in Pearland, housing key partners that contribute to our region’s economic success. The Small Business Development Center continues to operate from the building, offering valuable resources and guidance to entrepreneurs. We are also proud to host the district office of State Senator Mayes Middleton, serving Brazoria County. Our front lobby serves as an active showcase for Pearland businesses, providing visitors with information and inspiration to explore and engage with our local economy.