Action Plans for Healing Local Economies
You might be surprised by how familiar you'll find the economic concerns facing the coastal community of Galveston. Leaders from this mid-sized Texas city have attended Neighborhood Economics events in the past, and they've been busy using what they learned with us to build an economy that works better for everyone.
Join us in this beautiful, historic setting just an hour's drive from Houston for timely conversations, proven strategies, and new relationships. You might even want to stay an extra day or two.
You'll return better equipped to contribute to economic justice initiatives wherever you call home.
What's Everybody Talking About?
Protecting Workforce Housing & Fighting Displacement
As in so many places that are popular with tourists, the growth in short-term vacation rentals has made it increasingly difficult for citizens of Galveston to find and afford housing. Hear success stories about fighting displacement in coastal Texas and around the country.
Supporting New Entrepreneurs
Coordinated philanthropy can fund infrastructure for innovation. We’ll explore accelerators for under-represented leaders and accessible funds for local business investment from ordinary neighbors.
Building Climate Resilience
When you live and work on a tourism-dependent barrier island in the heart of hurricane country, responding to climate change becomes a front-burner issue. But it should be in your community too.
Reforming Unjust Tax Policies
Poor neighborhoods too often pay disproportionate property taxes, subsidizing the rates of wealthier neighbors. We’ll host experts who have crunched the numbers—and helped change the rules.
Nurturing Culture & the Creative Economy
Communities thrive, in part, by being places where people actually want to live and flourish together. Arts and culture play a key role in this process. We’ll explore ways to support the local creative economy in every neighborhood.
Speakers &
Partners
Who's Joining Us?
Neighborhood Economics: Galveston 2026 is a gathering where innovators, investors, faith leaders, policy shapers, and neighborhood champions come together to rewrite the rules of economic flourishing. Join us to swap playbooks, spark partnerships, and leave with actionable strategies that move money with purpose and put people at the center of the balance sheet.
Derek Peebles
American Sustainable Business Network
Luke Lingle
New Chapter Ventures`
Tracy Hadden Loh
Brookings
Jay Nwachu
Innovation Works
Kimberly Puryear
Explore Asheville
Allen Woods
MORTAR
Katherine Katcher
Collective Climate Justice Fund
Chris Miller
National Coalition for Community Capital
Angela Barbash
Revalue Investing
Clark Harris
New Chapter Ventures
Jeremiah Robinson
Dogwood Health Trust
Kelsey Russell
Brighter Investing
Brian Fernandes-Halloran
Halloran Philanthropies
Become a Partner
Neighborhood Economics: Galveston 2026 is more than a conference, it’s a convergence of visionaries, doers, and funders working at the intersections of capital, faith, entrepreneurship, climate, health, and real estate. As a sponsor, you’re not just putting your name on an event; you’re fueling the connections, conversations, and innovations that drive real, community-rooted change.
Event Hotel
Neighborhood Economics: Galveston 2026 will be hosted at the Grand Galvez Resort, a seaside Marriott property just half mile from Pleasure Pier amusement park.
Tourism is such a big part of the Galveston story, both positively and negatively. We encourage you to take advantage of our gorgeous conference locale and extend your stay before or after the event. Children will be back in school, but the weather should still be very fine indeed!
Event at a Glance
Tuesday
9 AM – Registration
11:30 AM – Tours of local initiatives
2:30 PM – Opening plenary
5:30 PM – Opening celebration at Grand Galvez
Wednesday
8 AM – Registration, continental breakfast
9 AM – Plenary
11 AM – Breakouts
12:30 PM – Lunch
2 PM – Breakouts
3 PM – Breakouts
4:45 PM – Closing plenary
6:30 PM – Closing celebration (venue TBA)
Conference Organizers
Rosa Lee Harden
Executive Producer
Kevin Jones
Event Curator
