Dear Texas Economic Development Stakeholders,

As I'm sure you've heard, Texas has once again secured the prestigious Governor's Cup for the 11th year in a row—a new all-time record! Texas proudly accepts this award as a symbol of our economic excellence over the past 11 years. Congratulations to each of our Texas communities and local and regional economic development partners on this historic win—your efforts make this award possible! And thank you to all of the companies that continue to invest and grow in our great state!

In this issue of the Texas Business Bulletin, you will find an update on the Texas Travel Industry Recovery Grant Program, a new headquarters relocation publication, recent project announcements, upcoming events, plus much more!

As always, please be sure to visit our website, follow us on social media or reach out to a member of our team if we can be of any assistance.

Update: Texas Travel Industry Recovery Grant Program

Applications for the Texas Travel Industry Recovery Grant (TTIR) program, administered through the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office, opened February 1, 2023, for a new application category. The TTIR Program provides reimbursement grants of up to $20,000 for the recovery of Texas businesses in the tourism, travel and hospitality industry that were negatively impacted during the pandemic.

The new category now opens applications for the following NAICS codes and also reopens the application process for all previous applicants who may now qualify for funding or for additional funding. There are still funds available—get your application in today!

This application round will remain open until remaining funds are dispersed. For eligibility and grant application details, deadlines, an application instruction video and the TTIR application portal, visit ttir.gov.texas.gov.

Learn More

Unemployment Rate:?3.9% (December)

Jobs Added: 29,500 (December)

Job Recovery Rate: 149.5% (December)

Workforce: 14.6 million (December)

(January data coming March 13)

View the full economic snapshot ›

Hot off the Press

Our office develops in-depth reports, publications, snapshots and maps highlighting the Lone Star State's best assets for business and targeted growth sectors. Check out these new publications and other Reports & Publications?on our website.

Headquarter Relocations to Texas Map & Listing
The new Headquarter Relocations to Texas Map & Listing details the many companies that have moved to the Lone Star State and where they're coming from. The map shows U.S. corporate relocations in 2022 and the full listing provides relocation information since 2015. Download the publication from our website in a PDF format.

Texas Wins Again! Eleven Years of Excellence

On March 1, 2023, Governor Abbott announced that Texas once again received the Governor's Cup, now for a record-shattering 11th consecutive year. The Governor’s Cup award is given annually by Site Selection Magazine to recognize the state with the most job-creating business relocation and expansion projects. This is the Lone Star State's 19th overall cup since the awards began in 1978—that's a new all-time record and the most in the nation. 

In 2022, there were 1,028 new projects announced in Texas—more than double the next highest state on the listing. These projects are expected to create more than $44.7 billion in capital investment and more than 35,000 new jobs. Last year's investments were announced across all regions of the state and throughout all types of Texas communities—large, small, urban, suburban and rural. The projects range broadly across the state's diverse industries—from advanced manufacturing (including EV, semiconductors and food processing) to online retail, financial services, tech, logistics, mineral refining, chemical manufacturing, natural gas production and more.

Here's a look at the top 25 projects for Texas in 2022 as released by Site Selection:

Thank you to all of our community partners who assisted in gathering project information. For the full rankings and features, see Site Selection Magazine's article and also be sure to read the interview with Governor Abbott on his thoughts about this historic win for Texas!

Staff Spotlight

Priscilla Gabrielle Duran now serves as EDT's Existing Industry & International Specialist on the Business & Community Development Team. She assists businesses in Texas looking to expand, as well as those looking to export, and helps international businesses interested in investing in Texas. After serving as the South Texas Regional Representative for four years, Priscilla is excited to be transitioning into this new role where she will continue to work with South Texas communities as well as communities statewide. She looks forward to assisting with development, business retention and expansion as well as international strategies for Texas industries and companies. To get in contact with Priscilla, please visit the staff directory.

Texas' success in attracting the highest number of corporate expansions and relocations is thanks to a unique combination of competitive business advantages that no other state can claim. For more on these business advantages, visit our Why Texas webpages. Here are some of Texas' recently announced projects in regions across the state:

• Graphic Packaging International in Waco: Graphic Packaging International announced plans to spend $1 billion on a high-tech paperboard recycling mill in Waco, marking a record investment for economic development in the area. The company is set to create 230 new jobs.
• X-Bow in Luling: Aerospace company X-Bow announced plans for a new $25 million rocket manufacturing campus in Luling.  
• Maverick Pipe in Texarkana: Maverick Pipe will grow in Texas with a $20 million investment and 40 new jobs in Texarkana. Company leaders say they chose Texas to expand due to a favorable location in terms of logistics.
• PackGene in Houston: PackGene has broken ground on a $20 million facility in Houston set to offer customers adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector development and manufacturing services.
• Linde in Beaumont: Linde, a German industrial gases company, announced plans to invest $1.8 billion to supply clean hydrogen to OCI's blue ammonia plant in Beaumont. 
• SunOpta in Midlothian: SunOpta announced the opening of its new $125 million plant-based beverage production facility in Midlothian, bringing up to 175 new jobs to the area.

More recent announcements ›

Governor's Small Business Webinar Series

Food Trucks 101 – Taking Your Restaurant on the Road | March 16 at 1 p.m.

With a diversity of delicious and convenient food offerings, it’s no wonder food trucks have been growing in popularity. In this Governor’s Small Business Webinar, learn from experts on the process of developing and creating a successful food truck business. This includes finding the right location, choosing a truck, working through the permit process, creating an engaging customer experience and brand and everything else leading up to opening day!

Register

Be sure to check in at gov.texas.gov/events as we announce more webinars and event details for 2023!

Recent Meetings & Events

Laredo Economic Development Luncheon

In February, EDT's Executive Director Adriana Cruz participated in the Laredo area's visit to Austin as a speaker at their Economic Development Luncheon. Adriana discussed the status of economic development in Texas and the growth in the Laredo region, home to the #1 port along the U.S.-Mexico border. Not to mention, Laredo is Adriana's hometown!

Japanese Delegation Visit

Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Consul General of Japan in Houston and a Japanese business delegation visited Austin in February. The group attended a reception with Governor Abbott, visited various Texas communities and heard a presentation from EDT on the many benefits of doing business in Texas.

Texas Economic Development Council Legislative Conference

In February, the EDT team attended the Texas Economic Development Council Legislative Conference in Austin where they learned about the latest trends in economic development and connected with local and regional economic development partners from across the state. EDT's Executive Director Adriana Cruz presented to the group our state's incentive programs along with EDT Director of Business & Community Development Larry McManus.

¡VIVA! San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Event

EDT's Executive Director Adriana Cruz spoke at the ¡VIVA! San Antonio Chamber of Commerce event in February in Austin. Adriana spoke about the latest updates on economic development in Texas and in the San Antonio region. In Texas, economic development is a team effort, and we are so appreciative of all our community partners!

Golden Triangle Days

Also in February, EDT's Executive Director Adriana Cruz participated in the Golden Triangle Days in Austin where she met with a group of business and economic development leaders from the Southeast Texas region to give an update on our office's activities and our state's economic development successes. Thanks to each of the communities in the Golden Triangle area for your continued partnership!

Balch Springs Economic Development Business Summit

Larry McManus, Deputy Director of Business & Community Development attended the Balch Springs Economic Development Business Summit in February. During the event, Larry met with business and community leaders from Balch Springs and spoke to the group about our office's economic development efforts. We look forward to continuing to work with partners in Balch Springs to keep Texas the best state for business in the nation.

“It ain’t bragging if it's true!” Here are some of the recent accolades Texas has received:

·         Texas secured our 11th Governor's Cup in a row from Site Selection Magazine for the most job-creating corporate relocation and expansion projects in 2022.

·         Golden Triangle Polymers' investment in Orange, Cheniere Energy's investment in Corpus Christi, Highly Innovative Fuel's investment in Bay City and GlobalWafers' investment in Sherman were listed among the top projects in the U.S. by capital investment in 2022. (Site Selection Magazine)

·         GlobalWafers' investment in Sherman was named among the top projects in the U.S. by size in 2022. (Site Selection Magazine)

·         Dallas-Fort Worth leads the nation in the growth of high-tech jobs. (Dallas Regional Chamber)

·         Texas ranks among the top states for women-led startups. (Merchant Maverick)

·         Texas ranks #1 in the nation for aerospace manufacturing attractiveness, according to the latest report from PwC.

·         Three Texas cities ranked among the Most Loved Destinations Around the World: Austin (#35), Corpus Christi (#53) and Dallas (#57). (Tourism Sentiment Index)

·         Two Texas cities took the top two spots on the Fastest-Growing Midsize Cities for 2023: Midland (#1) and Amarillo (#2). (American Growth Project)

Join Our Team!

Interested in working with the best state economic development team in the country and helping grow the state's economy? Come join our team! There are multiple positions for experienced professionals in Business & Community Development (BCD), Economic Development Finance (EDF), Tourism, Texas Workforce Investment Council (TWIC) and other divisions. Here's a select sampling of open positions:

• Research Specialist (BCD)
• Tourism Grant Program Associate Administrator (EDF)
• Communications Specialist (Tourism)
• Advertising Specialist (Tourism)
• Marketing Specialist (Tourism)
• Research Specialist (TWIC)
• Economist (TWIC)

For more information on available positions, visit gov.texas.gov/employment.

Colleges Partner for New Engineering Program
Texas A&M University has partnered with South Texas College (STC) for a new engineering program. The Texas A&M Engineering Academy helps students seamlessly transition from STC to Texas A&M. The program was developed as a way to address the growing need for engineers in the Rio Grande Valley.

Texas Company Selected for Air Force Contract
The U.S. Air Force has selected five contract manufacturing companies to build wiring harnesses, parts and kits for the Air Force F-16 combat jet fighter fleet. Interconnect Wiring LLP, located in Fort Worth, is one of the five companies selected for the contract.