Until the beginning of the Space Race in 1957, life around the Clear Lake area had a different focus. Water related businesses and water related activities were enjoyed in a relaxed manner. People cruised the waters, fished, sailed and skied in a relaxing, playful manner.
There were a few other businesses providing the day to day necessities of a slow moving economy for the local population.
Then the Clear Lake area became home to NASA's Johnson Space Center. Thus, US global leadership in space research and exploration was begun. The center brought about change forever. Clear Lake was no longer the quiet place between Houston and Galveston. It was on the move!
The economy soared as Aerospace Companies rushed to the area. The Space Center currently brings a great deal of dollars, directly and indirectly annually into the Clear Lake area's economy.
There is a second economic force moving at a more brisk pace. A deliberate attempt to diversify the area economy has more than balanced NASA's once-dominant position. Non-NASA employment now accounts for nearly four of five area jobs, and that number continues to rise. NASA once employed about 70 percent of the area's workforce.
The region's nine municipalities and unincorporated areas have developed a truly balanced economic structure. Its elements include aerospace, high technology, petrochemicals, tourism, commercial fishing and pleasure boating.
After work comes play, and there is no better place than the Clear Lake area to enjoy outdoor sports and leisure activities. We are recognized throughout the United States as a desirable place to live, with a mild climate and many recreational activities.
In addition to a thriving business community and an ideal setting for recreation, Clear Lake area residents benefit from the presence of a major university. To meet the area's growing need for accessible education, the University of Houston Clear Lake was founded in 1974 to serve junior, senior and graduate students. Known for its strong commitment to emerging fields of study and new technologies, UH-Clear Lake offers bachelor's degrees in more than 30 disciplines. Master's degrees are offered in more than 40 fields of study through its Schools of Business and Public Administration, Education, Human Sciences and Humanities, and Natural and Applied Sciences.
The presence of a major university, in addition to other area colleges such as UH-Main Campus, San Jacinto Community College, Alvin Community College and College of the Mainland, provides the training and professional expertise required by the area's expanding business community.
In short, whether you are looking for a promising work environment, a strong recreational life, a top school or one place that combines all the elements of a high quality of life, Clear Lake area is the answer.
The mandate of the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is to promote all the attributes that make our community such an outstanding place to live and work. The 1,700 member businesses that comprise the Chamber are dedicated to increasing our community's visibility and to building our economic and residential strengths.
In keeping with our mandate, we present the 1998 Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Membership Directory & Business Guide, with the goal of fully describing the resources our community offers local businesses and residents.
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