Support for Uvalde, Texas

OneStar Foundation in Support of the Robb School Memorial Fund 

Our hearts go out to the Uvalde community as they recover from last month’s tragedy. The OneStar Foundation has created a one-stop webpage for donations to support the victims' families, teachers, and the Uvalde community during this time of healing. The OneStar Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, will give 100% of the donations to the Robb School Memorial Fund, which was established by the First State Bank of Uvalde to ensure immediate financial support is given to those impacted by the horrific tragedy at Robb Elementary School.

Funds will be used to cover immediate needs, such as healthcare expenses, flights and travel for families and loved ones and funeral expenses, as well as long-term needs to support the community's recovery. If you are interested in sending donations to support the families and community affected by the tragedy at Robb Elementary School, please click the link below.

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Invitation for Public Input: Sunset Review

As you may be aware, the Sunset Advisory Commission is currently reviewing the mission and performance of the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office (EDT) and is welcoming public comments. The Texas Sunset Act requires the Sunset Commission to periodically review agencies and to recommend whether to continue the agency and/or to change state law to improve efficiency and effectiveness. 

How to Submit Input: For instructions on providing comments and suggestions to Sunset staff on EDT's mission, operations and services, visit gov.texas.gov/business/page/sunset-review.

As a Texas economic development stakeholder, your input is vital. Please provide your comments by September 1, 2022 to ensure Sunset staff can consider your input while conducting their review. Thank you for your time and assistance!

TEXAS ECONOMIC SNAPSHOT

Unemployment Rate:?4.2% 

Jobs Added in May: 74,200

Workforce: 14.5 million

Texas Exports for April: $42.1 billion

View the full economic snapshot ›

Hot off the Press

Our office develops in-depth reports and publications highlighting the Lone Star State's best assets in various industry sectors. Check out these and other Reports & Publications?on our website.

Fortune 500 Companies in Texas

It’s official, Texas is the headquarters of headquarters! In fact, 53 Fortune 500 headquarters call the Lone Star State home in 2022 (plus the recent addition of Caterpillar's HQ makes 54 total). That's more than any other state in the nation! Check out the new Fortune 500 Companies in Texas Map to see the full listing.

Texas Trade & FDI Snapshot

The Texas Trade & FDI snapshot provides a look into why the Lone Star State has remained the #1 exporting state in the nation for the last 20 years and the most popular destination for foreign direct investment. Check out the state's top stats on exports, imports, FDI and more!

RECENT PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Texas' success in attracting the most expanded and relocated corporate facility projects is thanks to the multitude of unique 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:

-- GlobiTech in Sherman: GlobiTech, a subsidiary of Taiwan-based GlobalWafers Co., Ltd., announced an additional manufacturing facility in Sherman, which will produce silicon epitaxy products and services for the semiconductor industry. The facility is expected to create 1,500 new jobs and generate billions of dollars in capital investment. A Texas Enterprise Fund grant of $15 million was extended to the company.

-- Caterpillar in Irving: Global Fortune 500 company, Caterpillar announced the relocation of its global headquarters from Illinois to Irving.

-- SLG in Houston: Construction is underway for SLG's $14 million American headquarters and manufacturing center in Houston. The project is expected to create more than 100 new jobs.

-- Andes Coil Processors in Fort Worth: Steel processing and slitting company, Andes Coil Processors will open a new manufacturing facility in Fort Worth. The project is expected to bring up to 50 new jobs and create $5 million in capital investment.

-- GAF in Corsicana: GAF, a roofing and waterproofing manufacturer, announced plans for its first commercial-scale asphalt shingle recycling operation to be located in Corsicana. 

-- TransPerfect in El Paso: TransPerfect, a provider of language and technology solutions, announced the grand opening of a new contact center in El Paso, with plans to hire for more than 400 positions.

More project announcements ›

Recent Meetings & Events

SelectUSA Investment Summit

EDT attended the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington D.C., June 26-29, 2022, in order to promote Texas as a premier destination for foreign direct investment. During the event, GlobiTech announced their new multi-billion dollar investment in Sherman. The new semiconductor wafer facility is expected to create 1,500 new jobs and is the first in the U.S in more than 20 years.

Governor's Small Business Series - Kilgore

The Governor's Small Business Series - Kilgore took place June 23, 2022. The event covered a multitude of small business topics and challenges such as business planning, business development, funding and finance and more! Chet Garner, Host of the award-winning television series The Daytripper was the keynote speaker for the event. Visit our events calendar for more 2022 event dates and locations.

TEDC Mid-Year Conference

EDT attended the Texas Economic Development Council's Mid-Year Conference in Corpus Christi, June 22-24, 2022. Executive Director, Adriana Cruz participated in two panels to discuss the important role workforce development plays in the overall economic development success of our state and the vital, strategic work done by the Texas Workforce Investment Council.

BIO International Convention

EDT's Business Retention & Industry Specialist, Philip Rocha attended the BIO International Convention in San Diego, June 13-16, 2022, in order to help promote the Lone Star State as a premier destination for biotech and life sciences investment. The state of Texas was represented with a Texas booth, hosted by the Texas Healthcare & Bioscience Institute, and a delegation of individuals and organizations representing the state's flourishing biotech and life sciences industry.

Governor's Small Business Series - Fort Worth

The Governor's Small Business Series - Fort Worth took place on June 9, 2022, and connected area small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs with resources to start, grow and strengthen their businesses. More than 200 participants attended the event, including six different speakers who presented during workshops throughout the day and more than 20 resource providers. See more event photos here and visit our events calendar for more 2022 event dates and locations.

Samsung Austin Semiconductor Tour

In early June, EDT attended a tour of the Samsung Austin Semiconductor facility. The team participated in a guided tour of the foundry operations, followed by an authentic Korean lunch. Samsung has more than 25 years of history in the Central Texas area and the company continues to invest and create new jobs in Texas, expanding its presence in the state.

Meeting with Former President Walesa of Poland

In May, EDT's Executive Director, Adriana Cruz joined Governor Greg Abbott in a meeting with Lech Walesa, former President of the Republic of Poland, Time Person of the Year and Nobel Peace Prize Winner. During the meeting, the group discussed continued cooperation between Texas and Poland and possible future business ties.

Rio Grande Valley Business Summit

EDT attended the Rio Grande Valley Business Summit, conducted by the Texas Association of Businesses and the Rio Grande Valley Business Partnership in McAllen on May 16, 2022. The event covered topics such as small business resources, workforce solutions and energy.

Governor Greg Abbott participated in a discussion on the state's economy. EDT's Executive Director, Adriana Cruz and Small Business Advocate, Jarvis Brewer participated in a panel focused on state resources for small businesses, which also included panelists from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, the Texas Facilities Commission and the Texas Workforce Commission.

Texas Women in Economic Development Conference

Members of EDT's Business & Community Development Team attended the Texas Economic Development Council's Texas Women in Economic Development Conference, which took place in Austin, May 17-18, 2022. The event included a series of panels and speakers, offering advice on various topics and information on industry trends, while connecting women economic developers from across the state for networking opportunities.

Minority Business Focused Trade Mission - Italy, Spain & Portugal

EDT's International Business & Trade Team Lead, Shirley Temple joined a group of Texas businesses on the Minority Business Focused Trade Mission hosted by U.S. Commercial Service in May. The mission included stops in Italy, Spain and Portugal for a series of tailored business-to-business matchmaking services, market intelligence briefings and networking opportunities to explore potential business partnerships and export opportunities. This was the organization's first-ever trade mission where all participating businesses and associations were small and medium-sized minority-owned businesses. Participating companies from Texas included Virtual-Q, PhDsoft Technology Inc., Forward Edge-AI, Inc. and NanoFlowX.

For more on Texas' trade and investment relationships with Italy, Spain and Portugal, download the full country profile reports linked below:

Italy & Texas Profile

Spain & Texas Profile

Portugal & Texas Profile

TEXAS TOUTS

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

The Lone Star State is home to 53 Fortune 500 headquarters in 2022—more than any other state! Caterpillar's recent relocation announcement brings that total to 54.

Texas was awarded the 2022 Gold Shovel Award from Area Development Magazine and Samsung's semiconductor facility project in Taylor was recognized as a Manufacturing Project of the Year.

Texas once again leads the nation for small business jobs growth, according to the Paychex May Small Business Jobs Index.

Two Texas cities rank in top 10 as Best Cities for Women in Tech: Houston (#3) and Fort Worth (#6). (SmartAsset)

Georgetown and Leander are the two fastest-growing cities in the nation, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau (July 2020 to July 2021). New Braunfels also appears among the top five.

Austin was named the best large city in the U.S. for job markets by the Wall Street Journal.

Four of Penske Truck Rental's top 10 moving destinations for 2021 are in Texas: Houston (#1), San Antonio (#6), Dallas (#7) and Austin (#9).

Texas cities are among the top in the nation for Asian American entrepreneurs, according to SmartAsset: Dallas (#2), Houston (#3), Austin (#11) and San Antonio (#14).

San Antonio ranks fifth in the nation for solar energy, according to the Environment Texas Research & Policy Center.

Austin is the #1 city in the nation for entry-level workers to launch their careers, according to a study by LinkedIn.

The City of Eagle Pass was named the Best Border Town in the nation by Official Best of America.

Join Our Team!

Interested in working with the best state economic development team in the country? The Office of the Governor is hiring! There are multiple positions for experienced professionals in Business & Community Development, Economic Development Finance, Tourism and the Texas Workforce Investment Council. Here's a select sampling of open positions:

Program Specialist I

Program Specialist II

Business Assistance Specialist

Economic Development Finance Coordinator

Advertising Specialist

Research Specialist

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

IN THE NEWS

FIFA World Cup Selects Texas for 2026
Houston and Dallas have been selected as two out of 11 U.S. host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It's estimated that the games in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex could create as many as 3,000 new jobs and have an economic impact of nearly $400 million.

MD Anderson Launches Joint Venture for Manufacturing of Innovative Cell Therapies for Cancer
The University of Texas MD Cancer Center announced the launch of a joint venture, the Cell Therapy Manufacturing Center, to accelerate the development of innovative cell therapies for patients with cancer. The new center will be based at the Texas Medical Center in Houston.

Port Houston Kicks off Ship Channel Expansion
In early June, Port Houston kicked off their planned $1.1 billion expansion of the Houston Ship Channel. This expansion will allow the channel to accommodate an additional 1,400 vessels per year and could generate up to $134 billion in economic impact once completed.

Angelina College Partners with Lockheed Martin
Angelina College has partnered with Lockheed Martin to create a manufacturing skills training lab on the college campus in Lufkin. This partnership will help provide a sustainable talent pipeline in East Texas and create career opportunities for students in Angelina County.

New San Antonio Tech Venue Aims to Create Jobs
Tech Port Center + Arena opened its doors to the public in San Antonio on May 2, 2022. The $70 million new tech facility and event venue is aimed to bring economic growth to the area and create job opportunities while supporting the growing gaming and esports industry in Texas.