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Dear Texas Economic Development Stakeholders,
Happy Economic Development Week to all of our partners across the state! We are so proud to recognize the many local and regional chambers, EDOs and our state agency partners for the role they play in supporting our communities, growing the state economy and increasing prosperity for all Texans. It's thanks to your efforts that Texas is peerless when it comes to our success in economic development, and we want to say thank you for all you do for this great state! Find more on the importance of Economic Development Week in Texas in the bulletin below.
We are also proud to announce that for a record-breaking 20th year in a row, Texas has been named the Best State for Business in the nation! AND we are again leading the nation in annual job creation, according to the latest jobs news from March.
In this issue of the Texas Business Bulletin, you'll find new resources and publications, our economic snapshot, recent meetings and upcoming events, as well as project announcements across the state.
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!
 -Adriana Cruz, Executive Director, Texas Economic Development & Tourism
  Unemployment Rate: 3.9%
Workforce: 15.2 million
U.S. Rank in Annual Job Growth: #1
Happy Economic Development Week!
Economic Development Week in Texas celebrates economic development efforts across the entire state and increases awareness of local programs and economic development professionals who are helping to build a bigger, better Texas!
Our state's dedicated economic developers work to bring new investment and create new jobs, advance economic opportunities and improve quality of life in communities across Texas.
We are excited to share Governor Greg Abbott's official proclamation and special message highlighting Economic Development Week in Texas.
Ready to join the celebration?
- Follow us on social media and join in throughout the week by using the official hashtag #EconDevWeekTexas in your own promotions.
- Sign up for our Texas Business Bulletin and Resource Provider Updates to stay in the know about new resources from our office.
- Visit our website for the latest resources, economic data, reports, publications and general information for economic development partners: gov.texas.gov/business
Our office develops in-depth reports, publications, infographics and maps highlighting the Lone Star State's best assets for business and targeted growth sectors. Check out more Reports & Publications on our website.
Texas Economic Development Guide
The new Texas Economic Development Guide is here! Texas is drawing companies from across the U.S. and around the world with our superior business climate, robust infrastructure and world-class workforce. Learn more about Texas' unique competitive business advantages and check out interviews with Governor Greg Abbott and EDT Executive Director Adriana Cruz.
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Laurel Davies recently joined the Business & Community Development Team as a Marketing Specialist. Laurel is a Texas Tech University alum with a dual degree in Marketing and Management. She has prior experience working at a San Antonio-based advertising agency and brings a background in Chambers of Commerce and CVBs. Eagerly jumping into the role, she looks forward to bringing her expertise to support the office’s mission of promoting Texas as not only the best place to grow and start a business, but as the best place to live and raise a family. A proud New Braunfels local, Laurel can be found shopping at local boutiques, listening to live music or indulging in the local food and beverage scene over the weekends. You may contact Laurel through our online staff directory.
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Farnborough International Airshow I July 22-26, 2024
Texas companies are invited to apply to join the Texas Pavilion at the Farnborough International Airshow (FIA). FIA is an international aviation and aerospace exhibition located outside of London, England, highlighting the newest technologies of the aerospace industry and related equipment, such as aircraft engines, satellite navigation technology, aircraft cabins, seats, weapons systems and more. As an exhibitor, you will:
- Showcase your product or service to thousands of participants at this industry-leading, global trade show
- Gain visibility among influential decision makers
- Form valuable partnerships with leading aviation and aerospace companies
 
In April, Exfluor celebrated the groundbreaking of a new 33,000-square-foot expansion to its headquarters in Round Rock.
 Texas' success in attracting the most corporate expansion and relocation projects in the U.S. 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 recently announced projects in regions across the state:
Join us at an upcoming Governor's Small Business Summit! These events aim to help Texas small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs reach new heights by connecting them with the resources and information needed to start, strengthen and grow a business. This event offers a variety of sessions bringing together local, state and federal resource partners to provide key insights on critical business topics. It's also an opportunity to network with other business owners and meet experts who will share timely, relevant and actionable advice on a multitude of small business topics.
The travel and tourism industry is a critical driver of the Texas economy.
This year’s National Travel and Tourism Week theme is “Travel. Powering the Economy. Connecting America,” which celebrates how the travel industry powers the economy, connects our people, creates quality job opportunities and supports our communities.
Travelers to and within Texas spent $94.8 billion while exploring destinations across the state in 2023. This spending created an economic impact of $193.8 billion, which supported 1.3 million Texas jobs and $72.9 billion in travel generated earnings. Roughly 1 in 11 jobs statewide was created by travel.
Visit the Travel Texas website to learn more about this important industry for our state!
   “It ain’t bragging if it's true!” Here are some of the recent accolades Texas has received:
- For a record-breaking 20th year in a row, Texas has been named the Best State for Business by Chief Executive Magazine.
- Texas is the #1 state to launch a business in 2024, taking the top spot thanks to strong new business growth and an influx of educated workers. (SimplifyLLC)
- Texas cities are among the Best Large Cities to Start a Business in 2024, according to WalletHub: Fort Worth (#7), Austin (#8), Arlington (#12), Dallas (#14), Lubbock (#16) and more!
- Four Texas metros rank among America's Most Dynamic Metropolitans: Midland (#2), Austin (#3), Odessa (#14) and Bryan-College Station (#20). (Heartland Forward)
- The following counties were among the top 10 for highest level of net domestic migration in the U.S. in 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau: Montgomery, Collin, Denton, Williamson and Fort Bend.
Download the latest Top Texas Touts to your phone for talking points you can take on-the-go—everything from economic expansion, job creation, workforce, industry, infrastructure, education and more.
Meeting with Samsung
 Governor Greg Abbott met with Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd. President and CEO Kye Hyun Kyung and other executives at the Governor’s Mansion in Austin to celebrate Samsung’s continued partnership with Texas and investment of more than $40 billion in fabrication facilities in the state. We look forward to continuing to work with Samsung to lead America’s chip resurgence from Texas! Read more in the Governor's press release.
 LCRA Peaker Power Plant Groundbreaking
 Governor Greg Abbott celebrated Texas expanding access to affordable and reliable power at a groundbreaking ceremony in Maxwell for the two new Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) peaker power plants, which will add hundreds of megawatts of power to the Texas electric grid. Read more in the Governor's press release.
 Texas Venture Gala & Forum
 At the Texas Venture Forum in April, EDT Executive Director Adriana Cruz spoke about "Texas & Texas-Sized Innovation" and was joined on a panel by President & CEO of the Texas Economic Development Corporation, Aaron Demerson, and the Texas Association of Business President & CEO Glenn Hamer.
Innovation for Progress: Austin Summit
 In April, EDT Executive Director Adriana Cruz participated in the Innovation for Progress: Austin Summit to speak about preparing businesses for the future of technology, people and innovation. Adriana was joined on a panel by Anthony Porter, Chief Operations Officer at Muzes.ai, and Vik Kumar, Director of Strategy Innovation at Oracle.
 State of Small Business
 To kick off Small Business Week in Texas, EDT Executive Director Adriana Cruz spoke as a keynote speaker and joined a panel for the City of Austin Economic Development’s State of Small Business event on April 29. The event highlighted the importance of small businesses to our state and resources to help entrepreneurs thrive.
Meeting with Dallas Regional Chamber
 In March, EDT Executive Director Adriana Cruz and North Texas Community Relations Specialist Janie Havel met with the Dallas Regional Chamber Economic Development Council. They provided an update on our office's activities and resources as well as an overview of business development in Texas. We appreciate the strong partnership between EDT and our North Texas community partners!
Governor's Small Business Summit — Weslaco
 The Small Business Assistance Team kicked off this year's series of events in April with a sold-out Governor's Small Business Summit in Weslaco! The event featured guest speakers and panelists on a multitude of small business topics including generational differences in small business leadership, building blocks of franchise ownership, women-owned business resources and more. See more photos from the event.
Governor's Small Business Summit — Corpus Christi
 The Governor's Small Business Summit — Corpus Christi took place April 18 and connected more than 200 participants with state, local and federal resource providers, subject-matter experts and area entrepreneurs. These events are designed to help small business owners take their business to new heights! See more photos from the event.
 Interested in working with the best state economic development team in the country and helping grow the Lone Star State's economy? Come join our team! There are multiple positions for experienced professionals in Business & Community Development (BCD), Economic Development Finance (EDF), Texas Music Office (TMO), Texas Film Commission (TFC) and other divisions. Here's a select sampling of open positions:
For more information on available positions, visit gov.texas.gov/employment.
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