Joshua Owens, Executive Director, Galveston Economic Development Partnership

In an interview with Invest:, Joshua Owens, executive director of the Galveston Economic Development Partnership, highlighted Galveston’s emergence as a more diversified economic engine, driven by major shipbuilding investment, expanding port activity, and continued growth in tourism, healthcare, and infrastructure. “It’s a fabulous time to be in economic development and investing in Galveston,” Owens said.

How would you describe Galveston’s economic momentum as 2026 gets underway?

We’ve had a major announcement with Davie Defense USA purchasing the Gulf Copper shipyard. It is going to build three Arctic icebreakers here in Galveston as part of a larger five-ship contract for the U.S. Coast Guard. That represents about $500 million in investment in its icebreaker facility here, along with roughly 1,800 additional jobs at wages that can support middle-class families. That is going to be transformational for Galveston’s workforce and economy.

Historically, our port economy has centered on two major activities: cruise operations tied to tourism, and cargo. Now we are seeing shipbuilding return as a third major pillar. Nationally, there is a renewed focus on rebuilding naval capacity, and Galveston has been identified as the best location in the country to help lead that effort. That is a major turning point for us.

What does the port’s growth mean for Galveston’s broader economic development strategy?

The port is one of the biggest economic drivers we have. On the cruise side, we are on track to overtake Fort Lauderdale and become the third-largest cruise departure port in North America within the next year or two. That is a remarkable milestone and a clear sign of how fast this side of the business is growing.

Cargo has always been a historic strength for Galveston, and the port has invested hundreds of millions of dollars into refreshing cargo infrastructure, maintaining the harbor, and keeping it dredged and operational. The Texas maritime economy is crucial to the state’s success, and Galveston plays a major role in that larger picture. Now, with shipbuilding added to cruise and cargo, the port has become even more central to our future.

There is also tremendous long-term upside on Pelican Island, where the Port of Houston owns 1,200 undeveloped acres. If Davie Defense can bring about 2,000 jobs to 100 acres, that gives you an idea of the scale of opportunity that maritime investment could create across that broader footprint.

How is Galveston balancing its industrial expansion with continued tourism growth?

We are seeing strong momentum on both sides. Tourism continues to expand with new projects and stronger visitor demand. Margaritaville has started construction as a $700 million beachfront project. Tiara on the west end is moving forward. We also have Sachs on the Seawall, a half-billion-dollar mixed-use development with retail, residential, hotel, condo, and apartment components on 14 acres.

However, Galveston remains a powerful tourism destination in its own right. We welcome about 7 million visitors a year, and that number should rise with additional cruise activity, World Cup-related travel, and broader regional growth. Juneteenth is also becoming an even bigger part of our visitor economy. As the birthplace of Juneteenth, Galveston has a unique opportunity to grow cultural tourism and build on the deep history of our African American community.

What is exciting is that these sectors reinforce one another. A stronger port supports more activity, more awareness, and more confidence in the market, while tourism investment raises the city’s profile and quality of place.

How are you seeing the luxury and lifestyle market evolve in Galveston?

With Houston’s ongoing growth, Galveston is starting to become more like the Hamptons of Houston. We are seeing more upscale development on the waterfront and a higher-end traveler than we have traditionally seen. The city has invested heavily in its beaches and tourism infrastructure, and that has made it easier to support a more premium visitor experience.

Galveston also benefits from being a major drive-to beach destination for a large part of the middle of the country. People from Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and beyond can reach us without needing to fly. That gives us a broad leisure market, and as we improve accommodations, dining, and recreation, we are able to capture more of that demand at a higher level.

What are employers asking for most, and how is the region building the workforce pipeline to meet demand?

The biggest need right now is workforce development and upskilling, especially around shipbuilding. We have to build that pipeline intentionally, and that starts early. We need middle school and high school students to understand that there are excellent careers in the trades and in technical fields that can support families and offer long-term stability.

For a long time, the message has been that a traditional four-year college degree is the only way to get ahead. That is no longer the whole story. In shipbuilding and related trades, people can earn six figures with an associate degree or apprenticeship-based training. Galveston College now has a Department of Labor-certified apprenticeship program in ship fitting. Students can complete it in about 22 months, have their tuition covered by the company, earn wages while training, and move directly into a skilled career.

That is a powerful model. It opens doors for people who are smart, hardworking, and capable, but who may not want a conventional academic pathway. It also helps employers because it creates a practical, job-ready talent pipeline tied directly to regional needs.

How is infrastructure investment supporting this next chapter of growth?

Infrastructure is economic development. Galveston has been investing in resilience and mobility for years, especially since Hurricane Ike. The city has put hundreds of millions of dollars into pump stations and flood mitigation. There has also been major investment in the Pelican Island Bridge to improve access and bring rail connectivity across.

The port is continuing to invest in dredging, bulkheads, and cargo operations. Texas A&M’s Galveston campus is building a new pier for its training ship, tied to a major maritime investment. I-45 is also being upgraded to improve access on and off the island, which is critical for both commerce and tourism.

At the institutional level, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) is investing in both AI-related infrastructure and broader community health initiatives. That matters because infrastructure is not just roads and ports. It is also healthcare systems, educational assets, and the public systems that make growth sustainable.

What role do healthcare and innovation play in Galveston’s economy?

UTMB is taking a real leadership role. It has been doing important work with AI, not to reduce jobs, but to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and allow healthcare professionals to spend more quality time with patients. That is a powerful application of innovation.

It is also taking the lead in thinking about community health in a more holistic way. One of the exciting efforts underway is around making Galveston a Blue Zone community. The idea is to help people live longer, healthier lives by addressing the social determinants of health and building an environment where healthy choices are easier. That is a meaningful shift from simply treating illness to creating health and wellness.

That kind of innovation matters for economic development because healthcare is one of our major growth sectors. It improves quality of life, strengthens the local workforce, and makes the community more attractive for investment and relocation.

What are your top priorities over the next few years, and where do you see the biggest opportunities?

Our focus is on ensuring that Galveston has the workforce and infrastructure to support the scale of investment now coming in. Workforce development is the immediate priority, especially to support shipbuilding and maritime growth. We have a tremendous regional labor base to draw from because Greater Houston still builds things. It remains an industrial economy in the best sense of the word, and that gives us a strong foundation.

Beyond that, the biggest opportunities are in three areas. First is maritime and shipbuilding, which I believe is entering a historic growth period. Second is tourism and hospitality, where Galveston is becoming more sophisticated and more diverse in what it offers. Third is healthcare and education, where institutions like UTMB are driving innovation and long-term value.

The multiplier effect from these investments will be enormous. When you create primary jobs in industries like shipbuilding, each one supports several more across the regional economy. Those workers need housing, healthcare, education, retail, and services. That is why this moment matters so much. It is not just about one project or one industry. It is about the broader transformation that follows.

It’s a fabulous time to be in economic development and investing in Galveston.