Local Leaders Back Energy Corridor District Homelessness Project
Mayor John Whitmire, Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones and Houston City Council Members Tiffany Thomas, Amy Peck, Mary Nan Huffman and Twila Carter have announced their support for an innovative homelessness partnership spearheaded by the Energy Corridor District that is helping individuals experiencing homelessness move toward long-term stability.
The elected officials joined Precinct 5 Constable Terry Allbritton, staff and leadership from West Houston Assistance Ministries and the Energy Corridor District in discussing the program at a recent news conference.
Launched in 2025, the Energy Corridor Housing Stability Program brings together the Energy Corridor District, West Houston Assistance Ministries (WHAM) and Harris County Constable Precinct 5 to address homelessness through coordinated outreach, intensive case management and rapid housing placement.
The Energy Corridor District Board of Directors allocated $60,000 to launch the program, which has helped 55 individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency. Rather than relying solely on emergency shelter availability, the program identifies people living unsheltered through law enforcement outreach. WHAM social workers conduct comprehensive assessments and provide temporary hotel accommodations for participants who enter the program. WHAM then connects participants with employment assistance, behavioral health resources, transportation, food assistance, housing navigation and other services designed to help them achieve permanent self-sufficiency.
Energy Corridor Tree Lighting Presented by ConocoPhillips
Mark your calendars now for the Energy Corridor District’s 6th Annual Tree Lighting presented by ConocoPhillips. The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Houston West from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, December 3.
The Tree Lighting is one of the Energy Corridor District’s signature community celebrations—and a wonderful opportunity for local businesses and corporations to be part of the holiday magic.
The tree lighting event has become a popular tradition in the Energy Corridor, bringing together more than 4,000 families, residents, professionals and visitors from across West Houston for an evening of festive entertainment, family-friendly activities, seasonal photo opportunities and community connection.
For businesses, it’s a chance to put your name in front of a large and engaged audience while supporting an event that celebrates the people who live, work and gather in the Energy Corridor.
Join us in making this year’s Annual Tree Lighting brighter, merrier and more memorable—and let your business be part of a holiday tradition that West Houston looks forward to each year.
Energy Corridor Board Awards Public Safety Grant to The Forge Hobbies & Games
(left-right) Energy Corridor District Vice President Zak Miller presents the District’s public safety grant to Sam Stilley and Bryan Jean with The Forge Hobbies & Games.
One of the area’s newest businesses has received a Public Safety grant offered by the Energy Corridor District’s Board of Directors. The Forge Hobbies & Games, located at 15123 Memorial, is expanding in a property owned by Forge founder Sam Stilley, who recently invested in lighting and camera improvements to enhance the safety of the property.
They installed more than 20 cameras covering almost the entirety of the building. Exterior lighting has also been upgraded both in front of the building and at the rear of the property. The total investment in the improvements was more than $40,000. They received the maximum grant offered of $5,000.
Since the grant program began, more than $23,000 has been distributed to six commercial properties, according to Energy Corridor District Vice President Zak Miller, who oversees the initiative.
“We know that something as simple as better lighting or a security camera can make people feel safer and help deter crime,” Miller said. “This program gives property owners in the Energy Corridor District a way to recover part of the cost of those kinds of improvements, along with other upgrades that enhance the safety and security of their businesses and properties.”
Shop Local: Energy Corridor Web Page Offers Updated Retail Listings
If you work or live in the Energy Corridor District, you may be surprised by just how much you can find without going far from home.
From everyday errands to major purchases, the District offers a wide variety of shopping and services — including banks, grocery stores, fitness centers, health care providers, beauty salons, auto dealerships and more. Need a dentist or eye doctor? A dry cleaner or pet groomer? New tires or an oil change? You’ll find them here, too.
Well-known retailers such as Kroger, LA Fitness and Orangetheory Fitness are part of the mix, along with automotive dealerships including Mercedes-Benz of West Houston and Sewell Cadillac. A variety of independent businesses round out the offerings, making it easy to take care of the things on your to-do list close to home or the office.
And finding what you need just got easier. The Energy Corridor District’s Shopping & Serviceswebpage has recently been updated with the latest retail and service offerings, organized by category so you can quickly find what you’re looking for.
Before you head across town, take a look at what’s right here in the Energy Corridor. And if we’ve missed a business, let us know! Send us an email so we can add it to the list.
Hurry to Enjoy Dining Specials During Houston Restaurant Weeks
Foodies have just a few more days to enjoy the specials offered up during Houston Restaurant Weeks. This special culinary celebration will wrap up on Labor Day, September 7.
The 3-course dinner at Cafe Benedicte is available for $55/person. Diners choose from two salads, a pepper-crusted tenderloin or seared scallops as an appetizer, followed by a choice of four entrees. Dessert options include a banana Foster bread pudding, chocolate cheesecake, crepe brûlée or acai berry sorbet.
Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen is serving a 3-course dinner menu for $39/person. Choose from four appetizer selections, followed by six entree selections — everything from Chilean sea bass to North of the Border or South of the Border combinations. The dessert selections do not disappoint — tres leches, chocolate tres leches, flan or sopapillas.
And District 7 is offering two prix fixe menus. Dinner is available seven nights a week for $55/plate, featuring your choice of osso buco, lamb chops, maple glazed salmon and red fish. A special brunch menu is available Friday through Sunday for $25/person. The brunch menu features two courses with entree choices of an open face rueben, chicken & waffles, French toast or an all American breakfast.
Participating restaurants donate $1 from every brunch meal served, and up to $5 for each dinner meal served to the Houston Food Bank.
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