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Dear Texas Economic Development Stakeholders,
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! We are proud to honor the significant contributions of Hispanic Texans to our state. In fact, Texas is the #1 state in the U.S. for jobs created by Hispanic women business owners! I am proud to serve as the first Hispanic Executive Director of EDT, under the leadership of the first Hispanic First Lady of Texas, Cecilia Abbott, as we keep Texas the best state to start and run a business, large or small.
It's also Manufacturing Week in Texas! We encourage you to join the celebration as we highlight our state's robust manufacturing industry, which drives the Texas economy and creates high-quality jobs in communities across Texas. More on this below!
We're also bringing you the latest good jobs news! Texas leads the nation with a jobs surge in August, ranking #1 in the country for jobs gained over the month AND jobs added over the last 12 months.
In the October Texas Business Bulletin, you'll find a spotlight on the Texas CHIPS Office, an update on new programs, 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 in August: 78,000
 NEW: Texas Micro-Business Disaster Recovery Loan Program
The Texas Micro-Business Disaster Recovery (MBDR) Loan Program was created during the 87th Legislative Session (House Bill 3271) and signed into law on June 18, 2021, by Governor Greg Abbott to facilitate loans from Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to micro-businesses affected by declared disasters.
The Texas MBDR Loan Program will provide zero-interest loans to eligible CDFIs for purposes of making interest-bearing loans to qualifying micro-businesses that have difficulty in accessing capital following a declared disaster.
CDFIs are encouraged to apply to participate in the program now—before disaster strikes. Eligible CDFIs can apply to participate in the Texas MBDR Loan Program via the participation agreement, which can be obtained by emailing [email protected].
Available Funding: up to $5,000,000 (through August 31, 2025)
Manufacturing Week in Texas
Happy Manufacturing Week! "Made in Texas" has never been a more powerful global brand. That’s why we are pleased to share an official proclamation and special message from Governor Greg Abbott proclaiming September 30-October 4, 2024 as Manufacturing Week in Texas.
Thanks to our mighty manufacturers, Texas has remained the #1 exporting state in the nation for the last 22 consecutive years—and counting! Not to mention, Texas is also the #1 state for semiconductor exports for 13 years in a row and the #1 state for high tech exports for 11 years.
As we recognize the significant contributions of our manufacturing industry to our state's economy, here are some of the ways you can join the celebration during 2024 Manufacturing Week:
In June 2023, Governor Abbott signed into law HB 5174 (the Texas CHIPS Act) establishing the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium (TSIC) and the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund (TSIF). The purpose of the TSIC and TSIF is to leverage Texas’ investments in the semiconductor industry, encourage semiconductor-related companies to expand in the state, further develop the expertise and capacity of Texas institutions of higher education, and maintain the state’s position as the nation’s leader in semiconductor manufacturing.
The Texas CHIPS Office is a newly formed division within the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office in the Office of the Governor, created to provide support to the TSIC and assist in the administration of the TSIF.
We're thrilled to introduce you to the Texas CHIPS Office team:
Ariane Marion is the new Executive Director for the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium. She spent twenty years working in public policy for the public and private sectors, including almost 10 years serving as chief of staff at the Texas House of Representatives. Ariane earned a Master of Arts in Middle Eastern Studies from The University of Texas at Austin and a LLM from The University of Texas, School of Law.
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Stephen Davis serves as the Program Director for the Texas CHIPS Office. He works with the National Semiconductor Centers Texas Task Force and the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium and its Executive Committee. Prior, he served as the Research and Economic Analysis Program Manager in EDT. Prior to working in the Office of the Governor, he worked for Texas Tech University and Texas A&M University and with projects associated with the Rand Corporation, the U.S. Department of Defense and the Nuclear Security Science and Policy Institute (NSSPI). He received a Ph.D. in Political Science and an MBA from Texas Tech University, as well as a master’s degree in international affairs and a bachelor’s degree in history from Texas A&M University.
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Shelley Burleson is the Research Specialist for the Texas CHIPS Office. She is a native Texan and graduate of Texas State University with a Master of Applied Geography in GIScience and a doctorate in Geography. She lived in Central Mexico for the last eight years. Prior, Shelley worked as an Archives Specialist at the LBJ Library in Austin and previously worked for the U.S. Army Special Operations Forces Archives at Fort Liberty (Fort Bragg) in North Carolina.
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For more information on the Texas CHIPS Office, visit our website and sign up for Texas CHIPS Act Updates directly to your inbox.
 
In September, Hiland Dairy Foods announced the expansion of their Tyler dairy product manufacturing plant, creating $100 million in capital investment and adding new jobs.
 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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Starlink in Bastrop: Starlink, a satellite company that's part of SpaceX, is planning an $8 million expansion that will more than double its footprint in Bastrop County.
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Continental Tire in Fort Worth: Continental Tire announced plans for a $69 million warehouse and distribution operation in Fort Worth.
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Hiland Dairy Foods in Tyler: Hiland Dairy Foods is expanding their dairy product manufacturing plant in Tyler, creating $100 million in capital investment and adding new jobs.
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Liberty Trailers in Sulphur Springs: Liberty Trailers announced plans for a $10 million manufacturing facility in Sulphur Springs.
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BillionToOne in Austin: BillionToOne, a molecular diagnostics company, announced an expansion in Austin with plans to employ nearly 1,000 people in a new 220,000-square-foot facility by 2026.
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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October 16: Governor’s Small Business Summit — New Braunfels
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October 31: Governor’s Small Business Summit — Sweetwater
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November 14: Governor’s Small Business Summit — Wichita Falls
2024 Chamber of Commerce Week in Texas
Fueling Texas Growth, Empowering Local Success!
Chamber of Commerce Week 2024 in Texas is coming up October 14–18. Chambers work to build a better Texas through enhanced economic opportunities; they improve local quality of life while offering resources and services to help businesses and talent succeed. It’s with their collaboration that Texas remains the Best State for Business. As we approach 2024 Chamber of Commerce Week in Texas, we encourage you to follow along on our social channels, find and connect with your local chamber and join the celebration by sharing your own content with the official hashtag: #TexasChambersWeek!
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.
 "It ain't bragging if it's true!" Here are some of the recent accolades Texas has received:
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.
Texas Stock Exchange
 Governor Greg Abbott celebrated the Texas Stock Exchange (TSXE) and the state’s historic economic milestones during a press conference at the Governor’s Mansion in Austin on September 30. This announcement solidifies Texas as an epicenter for activity in the global finance industry. Read more in the Governor's press release.
 Meeting with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith
 In September, Governor Abbott met with the Alberta Premier Danielle Smith at the Texas Capitol to discuss the strong and growing relationship between Texas and Canada. For years, Canada has been a strong trading and investment partner with our state.
 Meeting with Ambassador Cho and Ambassador Goldberg
 In September, Governor Abbott hosted the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea Hyundong Cho and the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Philip Goldberg to discuss the importance of continuing to bolster the strong partnership between Texas and South Korea at the Texas Capitol in Austin. Read more in the Governor's press release.
Governor's Small Business Summit — El Paso
 The sold-out Governor's Small Business Summit — El Paso took place in September, honoring Hispanic Heritage Month. Featuring a keynote address from Governor Abbott highlighting the important contributions of Hispanic Texans to our state, the event brought together more than 250 small business owners, entrepreneurs and resource providers from across the region. Read more in the Governor's press release.
South Texas Alliance of Cities
 Governor Abbott championed Texas’ success at attracting and expanding economic development projects across the state and in the Rio Grande Valley during a fireside chat at the South Texas Alliance of Cities quarterly meeting in McAllen. Read more in the Governor's press release.
Governor's Small Business Summit — Weatherford
 In September, the Governor's Small Business Summit traveled to Weatherford. Rounding out an exciting day full of informational panel sessions was a fireside chat with local small business owner Matt Pittman, Founder and CEO of Meat Church Barbecue.
Find more photos from Governor's Small Business Summits on Facebook and session recordings on YouTube. 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), Texas Workforce Investment Council (TWIC) 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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