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These are America's most-delayed flights
Airlines are expecting record-breaking traffic for the summer — and for the July Fourth holiday — but fliers on many routes would be wise to build in some extra time for their travel plans. <\p> That's according to an analysis by The Business Journals of the latest on-time data from airline analytics company Cirium Inc. The analysis looked at routes with at least 20 flights. <\p>
Houston country clubs see strong revenue gains
Country club revenue has been soaring nationally since the pandemic, and many nonprofit clubs in the Houston area are seeing similar gains. <\p> Westwood Golf Club, originally founded in 1928 as Westwood Country Club, set the pace. Its revenue rose from $3.52 million in 2018 to $5.26 million in 2022, according to its Form 990 filing. That's an increase of nearly 50% over those five years.<\p>
$77.6M school project breaks ground
Willis Independent School District held a groundbreaking ceremony for its third middle school on June 26.<\p> The $77.6 million project, at 7373 Longmire Road in Conroe, began construction earlier this year and is part of Willis ISD's $143 million bond passed in May 2022.<\p>
Houston opera's success bucks industry trend
When Khori Dastoor first joined the Houston Grand Opera as general director and CEO in January 2022, she said she had a decision to make: manage decline in a responsible way or stress test the opportunity for growth. She chose the latter — and that bet is already paying off.<\p> The Houston Grand Opera saw significant growth during the 2023-24 season even as opera houses around the country face continued challenges. The organization sold 57,310 tickets generating approximately $6.34 million in revenue during the 2023-24 season, according to the organization’s latest annual report. Ticket sales and ticket revenue were up 13.5% and 30.5% compared to the previous season, respectively. <\p>
Senior living saga ending 7 years after Harvey
Editor's note: This article was updated with a statement from Columbia Residential.<\p> Nearly seven years after Harvey changed the lives of the residents of the 2100 Memorial senior living facility in Houston, their journey is finally approaching the end.<\p>
Major auto group makes another acquisition
Houston-based Group 1 Automotive Inc. (NYSE: GPI) is growing in the U.K. again even while another big British deal remains pending.<\p> The company said July 1 it acquired four Mercedes-Benz dealerships from L&L Automotive. Located north of London in the county of Hertfordshire, these dealerships are contiguous with several other dealerships currently owned and operated by Group 1 in the U.K.<\p>
How Houston responds to robot vehicles
Strange-looking cars are on Houston streets, trucks carrying freight for major companies like AP Moller Maersk and FedEx are shuttling up and down the Interstate 45 corridor, and local governments in the metro area are signing agreements for flying taxis. If some companies have their way, those vehicles could be driverless as early as next year.<\p> When Cruise LLC, a General Motors-backed startup offering self-driving taxis in urban areas, began operating in Houston, the city began discussions to set up a working group to centralize communications relating to autonomous vehicle incidents and complaints, Jesse Bounds, director of the Mayor's Office of Innovation, confirmed. After the company paused operations, Bounds said the group’s purpose became “obsolete,” but the city is now reevaluating the need for the group in light of Cruise’s return.<\p>
German hydrogen co. looks to grow in Houston
An international electrolyzer company is looking to Houston as a prime location to build out its hydrogen business. <\p> Germany-based Thyssenkrupp Nucera, which is a supporting partner of the HyVelocity Hydrogen Hub, established its Houston office in 2021 and is preparing for the local hydrogen ecosystem to grow.<\p>
Most Admired CEO honorees revealed
The Houston Business Journal has selected 60 honorees for this year’s Most Admired CEO Awards.<\p> The honorees were chosen by members of the HBJ staff for their career achievements and leadership skills. In addition to their professional roles, they also demonstrate a dedication to the community through their service on nonprofit boards and various volunteer roles. <\p>
Among small businesses, there's a huge divide on finances
The smallest businesses are the ones most likely to be struggling, as larger small businesses report better conditions.<\p> The latest data from the Federal Reserve’s Small Business Credit Survey — released earlier this year but since followed up with a more detailed breakdown by size and demographics — shows how, even within the realm of small businesses, there is wide variation.<\p>
Local water parks' parents officially combine
Sandusky, Ohio-based Cedar Fair (NYSE: FUN) and Arlington, Texas-based Six Flags (NYSE: SIX) — which both own water parks in the Houston area — completed their merger of equals July 1. The combined company, which was expected to be valued around $8 billion, is operating under the name Six Flags Entertainment Corp. <\p> Shares of Cedar Fair and the former Six Flags ceased trading July 1 at the close of the New York Stock Exchange. Shares of the combined company will begin trading July 2 under the ticker symbol "FUN." <\p>
Why a health tech startup is drawing investors
A Houston medical technology company has added new investors and closed its Series A funding round. <\p> VenoStent completed the $20 million round thanks to an additional $4 million from Palo Alto, California-based Norwest Venture Partners. The company also received a $3.5 million Small Business Innovation Research grant from the National Institutes of Health, with the funding going toward design of a 200-patient trial.<\p>
Longtime Houston restaurant concept sold
After 40 years in the hands of the McAleer family, Buffalo Grille has a new owner.<\p> Houston-based Adair Concepts has purchased the Buffalo Grille locations at 4080 Bissonnet St. and 1301 S. Voss Road from John and Jessica McAleer.<\p>
Rice Athletics' game plan for future success
Rice University is looking ahead to the future after officially wrapping up its first year in the American Athletic Conference July 1.<\p> Rice was one of six schools that joined the AAC on July 1, 2023 — part of a broader trend of conference realignment that included the University of Houston joining the Big 12. There were a few bright spots from the past year, including Rice's football team earning a postseason bowl game berth, women’s basketball winning the AAC tournament and men’s basketball beating the University of Memphis powerhouse on the road, said Tommy McClelland, who joined Rice as director of athletics in August 2023. <\p>
Energy business spins off in The Woodlands
An Ohio company has spun off its energy operations, creating a new private company based in The Woodlands. <\p> Independence, Ohio-based Covia Holdings LLC, which provides mineral and material solutions, separated its energy business from its industrial business. <\p>
National accelerator reveals first Houston cohort
A new cohort of Houston-area startups marks the debut of a national nonprofit accelerator’s first foray into the Bayou City.<\p> Activate Global Inc. opened applications for its first-ever Houston fellowship cohort in 2023, and 11 founders have been selected for Cohort 2024:<\p>
The Galleria adds new-to-Houston retailer, restaurant
Two new-to-Houston companies have opened their doors to customers in The Galleria.<\p> The first is Khaadi, a Pakistani fashion and lifestyle brand with only one other U.S. location in Tysons Corner, Virginia, which opened in February.<\p>
New exec in charge of bank's expansion
PNC Bank has named a new regional retail executive as it plans a nearly $1 billion expansion nationwide. <\p> Carl Hanna is the bank’s new Southwest retail territory executive following a stint as the North Texas retail market manager, according to an announcement. Hanna, who is based in the Dallas area, will oversee PNC’s retail branch network in Texas, Arizona, Colorado, California and New Mexico.<\p>
Small-business grants you can apply for this month
Small-business owners might be more confident about their future, but they are still worried about inflation.<\p> That’s the big takeaway from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Index, conducted in partnership with MetLife, which hit the highest level of optimism since early 2020, with about 73% of business owners expecting their revenue to grow in the next year. <\p>
Texas A&M chancellor to retire
Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp publicly announced his retirement on July 1.<\p> He will step down on June 30, 2025, after holding the role for nearly 14 years. That makes him the longest-serving chancellor in the system’s history.<\p>
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