Partnership Press 1/14/2026

AI's got a lot to prove in 2026

ByWhizy Kim

January 7, 2026

Whizy is a writer for Tech Brew, covering all the ways tech intersects with our lives.

Welcome to The Download, where we give you the day’s biggest news in bite-sized, context-filled pieces.

TL;DR: AI is rapidly colliding with reality on three fronts: Misinformation is scaling fast, consumers are deciding which AI products are not worth the hype, and AI is integrating into everyday products (whether people ask for it in their teddy bears or not). What happens next will show how AI earns its place in daily life—and the companies read more

Upcoming Chamber Events

2026 Annual Chairman’s Ball

is SOLD OUT!

LAKE HOUSTON… ARE YOU READY?

The wait is over.

Chairman’s Ball 2026 is only two days away—and it is officially SOLD OUT.

This elite crew is still scanning the room for any last-minute openings. 👀

If you’d like to be added to the waitlist, contact Shannon Magee at smagee@lakehouston.org.

🎲 Casino vibes.

🪩 Dance floor energy.

🎧 DJ spinning all night.

We can’t wait to see everyone who secured their seat for the most talked-about night of the year!

Ribbon Cuttings

Join Us for our Ribbon Cutting Celebrations!

Join us for Partnership 101 on January 22nd at 9:00am!

Take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about the Partnership and its role in the Lake Houston Area and how to get involved.

Forge new relationships as Partnership staff are introduced and an overview is given of their respective responsibilities.

Information is provided about all programs, the Partnership website, programs and events, as well as Partnership member benefits.

When: January 22nd

Time: 9am - 10am

Location: 110 West Main St, Humble

Access to Capital for Small Businesses

Discover the ins and outs of SBA guaranteed loans! If you need access to capital to help achieve your business goals, the SBA offers a variety of funding programs for all kinds of small business ventures. This session outlines various funding to help start or grow a business. Specific topics will include 7a loans, SBA Microlending, 504 loans, and how to connect with SBA approved lenders. 

We want YOU as a member!

Want to grow your business? Let us help YOU! Join the Partnership Lake Houston Family with the button below to have unlimited access to networking events that can help you forge connections and allow you to THRIVE!

State Small Business Credit initiative

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has approved Texas' application for funding through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). Texas has the potential to receive more than $472 million to operate two programs—a capital access program (CAP) and a loan guarantee program (LGP)—that will increase access to capital for Texas small businesses. The CAP, allocated $118 million, will provide portfolio insurance for business loans, and the LGP, allocated $354.1 million, will provide loan guarantees. Together, the CAP and LGP will constitute the Texas Small Business Credit Initiative (TSBCI) program. TSBCI will assist small business growth and create new jobs through increased access to small business funding. In addition, the program will assist small businesses that are traditionally marginalized and those that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. TSBCI is administered by the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office, within the Office of the Governor, on behalf of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. For more information about the federal SSBCI program, please visit the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s website. Additional guidance, forms and other resources related to Texas' TSBCI program will be posted at the program website  as details become available. You may also sign up for updates to be notified as soon as our office has new information on the program.

City of Houston Strategic Purchasing

Hire Houston First

Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County Bid Opportunities