Harris County Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity

Juneteenth stands as a powerful reminder of June 19, 1865, the day freedom was finally realized for enslaved people in the United States.

As we honor this historic moment, we also recognize the continued work required to advance equity and opportunity for all. DEEO remains committed to serving the residents and businesses of Harris County with integrity, inclusion, and purpose.

In observance of the holiday, our office will be closed.

DEEO has been on the move! In preparation for the Worksite Safety Policy taking effect on July 1 for eligible contracts, we’ve hosted multiple events with contractors, unions, and labor groups to share what’s ahead.
We’re committed to building a culture of safety, respect, and accountability across all worksites through ongoing education, outreach, and collaboration.

Missed an event? Join us at our final Town Hall on June 23 for a policy overview, Q&A, and a chance to connect with partners across industries.

Register here: https://lnkd.in/geq5i9jb

Harris County DEEO proudly congratulates Abbie Kamin on her swearing‑in as Harris County Attorney on June 15 and on making history as the first woman to serve in this role.

We look forward to working together to advance equitable economic opportunity, strengthen community partnerships, and support a more inclusive and transparent Harris County. As we continue our shared commitment to public service, DEEO is excited about the collaboration ahead and the positive impact we can make together for the residents and businesses we serve.

Welcome, County Attorney Kamin, we are honored to partner with you in this next chapter of leadership for Harris County.

To learn more about Harris County Attorney Office, visit them online at: https://cao.harriscountytx.gov/

Do not miss the LATINA Style Business Series on June 26th. Learn how Latinas Entrepreneurs navigate through setbacks and achieve success.

Our Chief of Staff Victoria Lara will be part of the Financial Panel, sharing strategies for sustainable growth, funding, investments, and long-term financial planning.

Register now! 2026 LATINA Style Conference Registration: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/n5px7yp

DEEO recently attended the BAHEP Small Business Committee meeting offered a great moment to connect with regional partners and reflect on the momentum building across our small business community. The morning was spent learning, sharing, and strengthening relationships that support growth throughout Bay Area Houston.

The session opened with an engaging look at how AI can help build smarter workflows, giving organizations practical ways to integrate new tools into everyday operations. Conversations throughout the morning highlighted the value of collaboration and the shared commitment to supporting local businesses.

Looking back, the meeting underscored how innovation and partnership continue shaping the future of our region’s small business ecosystem. For anyone interested in exploring AI innovation or small business support, there’s plenty of exciting progress ahead.

On April 1, 2026, DEEO launched the Early Childhood Working Groups. These groups, comprised of child care providers, non-profit leaders, and other early learning stakeholders, set out to tackle some of the most complex issues in early childhood: workforce development, quality & access, and cross-sector partnerships. Through a series of full group convenings and Steering Committee meetings, the working groups will elevate community- and program-level opportunities within the local early childhood ecosystem.

Based on these findings, DEEO will present a Transition Plan with recommendations to sustain and strengthen the ecosystem following the anticipated sunset of the ARPA-funded Early Childhood Portfolio in 2026.

DEEO is committed to supporting Harris County’s working families, child care business owners, and youngest residents.

Our partners at PeopleFund will be hosting this exciting in-person speed networking event for entrepreneurs and small business owners sponsored by SouthState Bank! This event will be focused on “Access to Capital and Bidding on Contracts”.

Harris County DEEO, City of Houston, Port of Houston, METRO, Cogency, and SouthState Bank will be in attendance to share available resources, programs, and opportunities to grow and maximize your business, plus, food and drinks will be provided!

Register here: https://bit.ly/4u99JGh

We’re proud to share the strong engagement from this our Harris County Small Business Networking Event last month.

Attendees represented a wide range of industries including engineering and design, construction, professional services, specialty trades, technology, and more demonstrating the depth and diversity of our local business community. We also saw broad representation across certifications such as MBE, SBE, HUB, DBE, WBE, VOSB, and SDVOSB, along with firms actively working toward certification.

This turnout underscores the readiness of small businesses across Harris County to engage in upcoming opportunities within our infrastructure portfolio.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the Harris County Engineering Department, Harris County Flood Control District, Harris County Toll Road Authority, and the City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity for their collaboration in making this event possible.

For additional resources, upcoming workshops, and future engagement opportunities, visit deeo.harriscountytx.gov/evevents and stay tuned for more ways to connect with Harris County and grow your business.

Harris County DEEO was proud to join Harris County Purchasing and Precinct 2 for the Prime–Subcontractor Speed Networking Forum—an event designed to strengthen connections, expand opportunities, and support the success of our local business community.

This forum brought together prime contractors, subcontractors, and small businesses for an evening of purposeful engagement. Vendors had the opportunity to meet directly with industry leaders, learn about upcoming contracting opportunities, and access resources that help them navigate doing business with Harris County.

Participants walked away with valuable insight into County procurement processes, stronger supplier relationships, and tools to better position their firms for future growth and competitiveness.

A sincere thank you to Precinct 2, Harris County Purchasing, and all participating businesses for helping advance collaboration and economic opportunity. Together, we continue to build a more connected, inclusive, and competitive vendor community across Harris County.