Houston is creating jobs at roughly four times the pace of the rest of the country, according to the Greater Houston Partnership's annual Midyear Economic Update.

The overview: During the presentation, which highlights trends in the regional economy over the last year, Colin Baker, the organization's director of economic research, said Houston accounted for about 8% of the nation's job growth over the past 12 months.

“[Houston had] quite a bit of a healthier job market here compared to the rest of the country,” Baker said.

Measuring the impact: Baker said Houston created 39,700 jobs in fiscal year 2025-26, which is about four times the pace of the rest of the country. The United States as a whole saw around 531,000 jobs created in the past 12 months.

Houston’s job market growth is No. 3 in the U.S., below New York City and Dallas, according to the presentation.

Island Grill American Mediterranean, owned by husband-and-wife Faysal and Maria Haddad, will join the River Oaks community at 2810 Westheimer Road, Houston, in early spring 2027, according to a news release.

The features: The River Oaks location will occupy 4,225 square feet and feature an all-day menu built upon family recipes and carefully sourced ingredients, per the release. Whether it's breakfast, lunch or dinner, Island Grill offers fresh-pressed juices, select morning options such as breakfast tacos and omelets, falafel appetizers, pitas, wraps, pizzas, pastas and more.

More details: Island Grill’s new space will also operate a full bar program serving cocktails, beer and wine available any time during hours of operation.

• 2810 Westheimer Road, Houston

Houston Public Library has been awarded two grants from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, a state government agency that promotes literacy and historical preservation.

According to TSLAC, Houston Public Library applied for a Special Projects Grant to expand social services at its central library, train library professionals and improve service to customers in crisis at all its branches. The Special Projects Grant total is $73,200.

About the program: These grants are the result of a grant to TSLAC from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, an independent federal agency made to support libraries across the country and promote literacy.

• 500 McKinney St., Houston

Harris County commissioners took no action Aug. 6 on the county’s minority- and women-owned business contract program following a ruling from a federal judge deeming the city of Houston’s program unconstitutional.

The big picture: Run by the Harris County Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity, the program was established in November 2020 by commissioners to provide equity among women- and minority-owned businesses for county contracts. 

The discussion: A number of business owners and community leaders said the program was vital to help small businesses gain access to larger contract opportunities when competing with more established companies. Business owners also emphasized the program did not guarantee every business owner would receive county contracts, as they were still subject to the bidding process and proving the ability to do the work needed.

Quote of note: “The program provides us opportunity,” said Steve Fraga, Tejas Office Products owner.
”We still have to be financially sound. We still need to run our companies like a majority-owned company.”