To ensure that Harris County continues to thrive economically, we must ensure that all of our residents enjoy equal access to the economic opportunities available to them. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has made it a priority to invest in nurturing small and minority-owned businesses to level the playing field and give everyone a fair shot at the American Dream.

Key Accomplishments

• Created a new, stand-alone Office of Economic Opportunity. The department will work across government departments to advance the long-term workforce and economic growth of our region and address the growing problem of income inequality. As part of this effort, the County has commissioned the first-ever study to advise how to better support minority owned Minority/Women-owned business enterprises.

• Published report on contracting disparities in Harris County that showed profound disadvantages in county contracting for minority and women-owned firms. Economic Opportunity Department being created in part to address those issues.