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Dear Texas Economic Development Stakeholders,
September marks the start of a new fiscal year here at the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office! As we look towards the future and the year ahead, we look forward to continuing to serve our mission: To positively impact the economic prosperity of Texas. We will do this by continuing to promote Texas as the best place for business and travel while supporting current Texas businesses large and small, as well as those looking to come to Texas. And we look forward to working with all of our state and community partners to do so!
In good jobs news, Texas outpaced the nation in annual job growth rate, according to the latest employment data! Not to mention, our state's unemployment rate of 4.1% is below the national rate.
In the September Texas Business Bulletin, you'll find a spotlight on the State of Texas Mexico Office, 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! And thanks for everything you do to ensure Texas remains the best state to live, work and visit!
 -Adriana Cruz, Executive Director
Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office
  Unemployment Rate: 4.1%
Workforce: 15.3 million
Jobs Added Over the Last 12 Months: 265,500
Hot off the Press
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.
Trade & FDI Snapshot
Texas is built for global business and trade! Download the Trade & FDI Snapshot to learn more about why Texas continues to be top exporting state in the nation and the most popular location for FDI over the last two decades.
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Aerospace, Aviation & Defense Industry Snapshot
Texas is a leading global player in the aerospace,
aviation and defense arena and continues to be an epicenter for innovations and new investments in the industry. Download the Texas Aerospace, Aviation & Defense Industry Snapshot for more information.
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Fernanda Sanchez has joined the Business & Community Development team as a Project Development Coordinator. Originally from Mexico City, Fernanda earned her bachelor’s degree in international business and a minor in law from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. She brings valuable experience from her role as Director of Marketing and Events at the RGV Partnership, where she was instrumental in marketing the region and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to drive economic development and improve community quality of life. Additionally, her internship with a federal representative provided her with a strong foundation in advocacy and government relations. Fernanda aims to leverage her bilingual skills to further promote Texas as an attractive investment destination. Reach out to Fernanda through our staff directory.
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Adriana Stowers joined the Business & Community Development team as the Community Relations Specialist for the Panhandle region. Adriana grew up in the Panhandle and graduated from West Texas A&M University with a general studies degree. She's a small business owner in her hometown of Friona. Adriana looks forward to bringing her expertise to support the office’s mission of promoting Texas as the best place to grow and start a business and the best place to live and raise a family. Adriana loves everything Texas, as well as traveling and spending time with her one-year-old grandson. Reach out to Adriana through our staff directory.
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The Texas Music Incubator Rebate (TMIR) Program, a tax rebate program for qualifying music venues and festival promoters in Texas, is now accepting applications through November 30, 2024.
The TMIR Program was established by Senate Bill 609 and signed into law by Governor Abbott following the 87th Legislative Session to help support the live music industry in communities across the state. The Program is administered by the Texas Music Office (TMO).
With $20.2 million in funding approved for the biennium in the 88th Legislative Session, the TMIR Program provides qualifying music venues and festival promoters in Texas a full or partial rebate of the mixed beverage gross receipts taxes or sales taxes attributable to the sale of beer and wine in the prior fiscal year (September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024) of up to $100,000.
Highlight: State of Texas Mexico Office
 The State of Texas Mexico Office (STMO) operates under the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office (EDT), within the Office of the Governor. The STMO's mission is to promote Texas exports into Mexico and to attract foreign direct investment into Texas. The STMO was first established in 1971 and now has a presence in Mexico City and in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon.
Strengthening Texas’ position in Mexico is a fundamental goal of the STMO. That's why the STMO is focused on assisting Mexican firms interested in expanding to Texas by highlighting our state's competitive business advantages and offering connections to communities and resources.
The STMO recently assisted Megaacrete, a joint venture between Mexico-based Litecrete S.A. de C.V. and Aercon LLC, and manufacturer of autoclaved aerated concrete, in expanding to Kerrville. The company's new Texas site will house its corporate headquarters, training and manufacturing centers and is expected to create $40 million in capital investment and 40 new jobs.
Salvador Garza Higuera, CEO of Litecrete S.A. de C.V., acknowledged the STMO's importance to the project. “The State of Texas Mexico Office played a key role during the early stages of our project by helping identify different communities in Texas ideal for our investment and by supporting us throughout the entire selection process,” said Garza Higuera.
In Mexico and Texas, relationships are vitally important to business development and market success. In recent years, the STMO has built relationships with private sector executives, government officials and economic development leadership in key Mexican states.
In the last decade, Mexican companies reported 38 investment projects into Texas, bringing $2.9 billion in capital investment and more than 5,400 new jobs. The STMO continues to spearhead numerous initiatives to further develop business opportunities for companies in Texas and Mexico.
For more information, contact the State of Texas Mexico Office.
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In July 2024, Venture Solutions announced the completion of its new warehouse in Laredo.
 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:
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Wonik Materials in Manor: Samsung supplier Wonik Materials will build a new $46 million facility in Manor to produce specialty gasses and chemicals for the semiconductor industry.
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Soulbrain in Taylor: South Korean company Soulbrain will invest $175 million in a new plant in Taylor to make phosphoric acid for the semiconductor industry, suppling Samsung's nearby facility. The project is expected to create 50 new jobs.
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Molinos USA and Easy Foods in Sherman: Molinos USA will build a new corn mill, tortilla and tortilla chip manufacturing facility in Sherman, creating $25 million in capital investment. This is coupled with a new $50 million food manufacturing plant in Sherman from Easy Foods, a customer of Molinos USA.
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Spectrum in Pharr: Spectrum opened a new 48,000-square-foot call center in Pharr, creating 400 new jobs.
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Venture Solutions in Laredo: Venture Solutions, a provider of customized logistics networks and supply chain optimization, completed the construction of its new warehouse in Laredo.
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. These events offer a variety of sessions bringing together local, state and federal resource partners to provide key insights on critical business topics. They also offer 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.
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September 19: Governor’s Small Business Summit — El Paso
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October 3: Governor’s Small Business Summit — Buffalo
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October 16: Governor’s Small Business Summit — New Braunfels
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October 31: Governor’s Small Business Summit — Sweetwater
 "It ain't bragging if it's true!" Here are some of the recent accolades Texas has received:
- Texas cities rank among the top 10 in the U.S. to start a business, according to a study by USA Today: Austin (#1), Dallas (#4) and Houston (#9).
- According to a report by Commercial Property Executive, Texas ranks as the top state for corporate relocations with cities like Dallas and Austin emerging as top destinations.
- According to a recent U.S. Department of Energy Report, Texas was a leading state for clean energy employment growth in 2023 with a 6% growth rate.
- Texas cities dominated the list of America's Boomtowns: Top Cities for Economic Growth, published by CoworkingCafe.
Download the latest Top Texas Touts to your mobile device for talking points you can take on-the-go—everything from economic expansion, job creation, workforce, industry, infrastructure, education and more.
Statement of Mutual Cooperation with Coahuila, Mexico
 Governor Greg Abbott signed a Statement of Mutual Cooperation (SMC) with Coahuila Governor Manolo Jiménez Salinas to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the creation of the single state of “Coahuila y Tejas” and bolster the strong economic and cultural ties between Texas and Coahuila during a signing ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion in Austin. Read more in the Governor's press release.
 Governor's University Research Initiative Reception
 The Governor welcomed a group of distinguished Texas researchers who have received grants from the Governor's University Research Initiative (GURI), as well as other representatives from Texas institutions of higher education, to the Governor's Mansion for a reception. The GURI program seeks to bolster both the standing of Texas public colleges and universities and economic development efforts statewide by attracting distinguished researchers from around the world to Texas' higher education institutions.
TxEDC Investor Summit & Reunion Recognition Luncheon
 The Texas Economic Development Corporation (TxEDC) hosted its Investor Summit & Reunion Recognition Luncheon in August with the message: The Future is Texas. Featuring a special address from Governor Abbott and a keynote presentation from Dr. Ray Perryman of The Perryman Group, the event also included remarks from EDT Executive Director Adriana Cruz and TxEDC President & CEO Aaron Demerson. Informational panel sessions throughout the day covered topics such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and a discussion on the past, present and future of economic development in Texas.
Portland Chamber of Commerce
 In August, Governor Abbott participated in a fireside chat hosted by the Portland Chamber of Commerce. The Governor championed Texas' economic success and our state's policies that allow businesses of all kinds the opportunity to thrive in Texas. Read more in the Governor's press release.
 Meeting with German Federal Minister of Labor & Social Affairs
 In July, Governor Abbott met with the Federal Minister of Labor and Social Affairs for the Republic of Germany Hubertus Heil and other German leaders at the Governor’s Mansion in Austin. During their meeting, Governor Abbott and Federal Minister Heil discussed strengthening the economic partnership and the shared interests between the Texas and German economies, including in the artificial intelligence (AI), energy and semiconductor industries. Read more in the Governor's press release.
 Governor's Small Business Summit — Plainview
 The Governor's Small Business Summit — Plainview took place on August 8 and brought together a variety of sessions for small business owners in the region, including: marketing and social media, finance and funding, technology and recruiting, training and retaining employees.
Find more photos from the event on Facebook and session recordings on YouTube. See upcoming events on our events calendar.
Farnborough International Airshow
 In July, EDT hosted the Texas Pavilion at Farnborough International Airshow in Farnborough, England. The EDT team hosted a delegation of Texas companies representing the aerospace, aviation and defense industry. The delegation showcased their products and services to potential business partners from around the world. Learn more about our office's export assistance opportunities on our website.
Governor's Small Business Summit — Odessa
 The Governor's Small Business Summit — Odessa took place on August 22. Local small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs were afforded the opportunity to connect with local, state and federal resources while networking with like-minded entrepreneurs.
Find more photos from the event on Facebook. See upcoming events on our events calendar.
 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) 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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