Important announcements, resources, events & recent news.



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The Governor's Texas Business Bulletin, Economic Development and Tourism

Dear Texas Economic Development Stakeholders,

We are pleased to share that Texas continues to *break job records [ [link removed] ]*—now with a new high for total jobs, a new high for the number of Texans working and the largest Texas labor force in our state's history at more than *15.4 million*! And we again lead the nation for jobs added over the last 12 months!

As we enter the season of giving thanks, we reflect upon how grateful we are to work with our dedicated economic development partners across the state at the local, regional, and statewide levels. Our partnership keeps Texas the economic envy of the nation, and we look forward to continuing our important work together!

In the November Texas Business Bulletin, you'll find a spotlight on Texas maritime ports, 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 [ [link removed] ], follow us on social media or reach out to a member of our team [ [link removed] ] if we can be of any assistance.

Wishing all of our state's veterans a happy Veterans Day and wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving holiday! My sincere thanks for all that you do to keep Texas the best place to live, work and visit! 

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"Adriana Cruz, Executive Director
Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office"

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*Unemployment Rate: *4.1%

*Workforce:* 15.4 million

*Jobs Added in September:* 29,200

See full economic snapshot › [ [link removed] ]
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Texas Small Business Loan Program Updates

Texas Small Business Credit Initiative Program

The latest list of approved financial institutions participating in the Texas Small Business Credit Initiative (TSBCI) Program [ [link removed] ] is now available online as well as a *"new, simplified application process for financial institutions. "*

The TSBCI Program supports small business growth and helps create new jobs through increased access to small business funding. The program assists all small businesses but focuses on traditionally marginalized and those that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Through participating financial institutions, Texas administers two TSBCI Programs:


* The Capital Access Program (CAP) [ [link removed] ] with loans of $5,000 to $5 million.
* The Loan Guarantee Program (LGP) [ [link removed] ]. with loans of $5,000 to $20 million.

It's now easier to apply! Financial institutions interested in participating in the TSBCI Program may navigate the *"simplified application process"* by launching the TSBCI Portal on the website linked below.

Learn More [ [link removed] ]
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NEW: Texas Micro-Business Disaster Recovery Loan Program

The Texas Micro-Business Disaster Recovery (MBDR) Loan Program [ [link removed] ] was 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 million (through August 31, 2025)"

Learn More [ [link removed] ]

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Impact of Texas Sea Ports

The Texas economy relies on a vast and connected network of transportation systems to link our communities, support international trade, and make our state a top destination for businesses and tourists alike.

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With *19 seaports*, including 11 deepwater ports, Texas is built for global trade. The Port of Houston, the largest Gulf Coast container port, has led the nation in waterborne foreign trade, allowing the Lone Star State to remain the *top exporting state in the nation* for 22 years in a row.

Texas maritime ports are critical to the economic growth of the state. According to a 2023 report by the Texas Ports Association, Texas ports support more than *153,800 direct jobs*, generating *$12.6 billion* in personal income. 

Additionally more than *2.5 million* total jobs are generated from economic activity dependent on our state's ports, and the industry contributes *$5.4 billion* annually in direct, induced and indirect state and local taxes.  

Our ports also drive tourism—a very important industry for our state and a critical economic driver for many Texas communities. Port Galveston is the fourth-busiest port in North America, serving over *1.7 million* cruise passengers per year.  

Texas ports are also home to Texas LNG facilities with several in the late construction phase—another critical industry for Texas.

Texas continues to invest in our port infrastructure. In fact, last year, Governor Greg Abbott signed into law a historic investment of $200 million to the Maritime Infrastructure Program and $40 million to the Seaport Connectivity Program.

For more on Texas' robust infrastructure and maritime ports, visit our website [ [link removed] ].



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Thank You to our Veterans!

Happy upcoming Veterans Day to all who have served! We thank our state's veterans for their service to our country and for their significant impact on our state. We'd like to give a special thanks to our dedicated team members Jarvis Brewer, R.J. Hakes, Kristiana Kenny, Todd Lewis, and Jaclyn Zapata for their contributions to the EDT office, to Texas and for their service to our nation! 

In Texas, we are proud to be the #1 state in the U.S. for jobs created by veteran business owners and we offer a multitude of resources for veteran-owned businesses on our website [ [link removed] ].

*Job Fair*: Texas veterans are encouraged to attend the Texas Workforce Commission's Hiring Red, White & You! [ [link removed] ] statewide hiring event that connects veterans, transitioning military members, and military spouses to employers across Texas.

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Grainger celebrated the groundbreaking of their new Texas Distribution Center in Houston.

Texas' success in attracting the most corporate expansion and relocation projects in the U.S. is due to a unique combination of competitive business advantages that cannot be found in any other state. For more on these business advantages, visit our Why Texas [ [link removed] ] webpages.

Here are some recently announced projects in regions across the state:


* Nasdaq in Irving [ [link removed] ]: Nasdaq announced it would place one of its three new regional listings divisions in Irving, operating out of its existing office there.
* Hithium Tech USA Inc. in Mesquite [ [link removed] ]: Hithium Tech USA Inc. announced a new battery module and system assembly facility in Mesquite. The company, which specializes in stationary energy storage products, will invest $100 million and create 141 new jobs.
* Grainger in Houston [ [link removed] ]: Grainger broke ground on its 1.2 million-square-foot Texas Distribution Center in Houston, which is expected to open in 2026 and employ 400 team members.
* Compass Datacenters in Red Oak [ [link removed] ]: Compass Datacenters will undertake a $300 million expansion of its campus in Red Oak.
* Embraer in Fort Worth [ [link removed] ]: Embraer announced an expansion of its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services network with a new $70 million service center in Fort Worth, creating 250 new jobs.

More recent announcements › [ [link removed] ]

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Upcoming Small Business Summits

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. 


* *November 14*: Governor’s Small Business Summit —* Wichita Falls [ [link removed] ] *(Honoring Veteran-Owned Businesses & Entrepreneurs)
* *December 5*: Governor’s Small Business Summit —* Kaufman [ [link removed] ]*

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Texas Music Incubator Rebate Program

The Texas Music Incubator Rebate (TMIR) Program [ [link removed] ], 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 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 over $20 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.

Learn More [ [link removed] ]

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NEW: Youth Demographic Report

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The Texas Workforce Investment Council (TWIC), a division within the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office, has published a new report, "Youth in Texas: A Demographic Study" [ [link removed] ], which provides important data and information about youth labor force participants in Texas. Detailed demographic analyses may be used in program planning and improvement efforts by local workforce boards, state agencies, community and technical colleges, policy analysts, and other workforce system stakeholders. The TWIC research team produces several reports which examine workforce related programs, initiatives, and outcomes. Be sure to visit the TWIC website and download the report to learn more!



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


* Texas cities rank among the *best in the U.S. for entrepreneurs*: Dallas (#5), Austin (#6), and Houston (#7). Two Texas cities also made the list of *best cities in the world for entrepreneurs*: Dallas (#13) and Austin (#16). (SumUp [ [link removed] ])
* Texas cities have some of the *lowest taxes* when compared to cities around the world: Dallas (#4), Austin (#5), and Houston (#6). (SumUp [ [link removed] ])

Download the latest Top Texas Touts [ [link removed] ] 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. 

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Recent Meetings & Events

*Celebrating Manufacturing Day at Texas State Technical College*

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Governor Greg Abbott visited Texas State Technical College in Waco to highlight Texas’ robust job training programs that provide opportunities for Texans to go into high-demand, good-paying jobs and the impact on the state’s manufacturing industry. Governor Abbott also celebrated National Manufacturing Day and praised the might of the “Made in Texas” brand. Read more in the Governor's press release [ [link removed] ].

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*Graphic Packaging*

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Governor Abbott toured Graphic Packaging's new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Waco. This announcement was a historic investment and remarkable win for the local community, creating $1 billion in capital expenditures and 230 new jobs. We thank Graphic Packaging for choosing Texas for this investment!

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*Governor's Small Business Summit — New Braunfels*

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The sold-out Governor's Small Business Summit — New Braunfels celebrated women-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. We were honored to have First Lady Cecilia Abbott join us as a special guest speaker! The event also featured expert sessions on a variety of topics for female entrepreneurs. Read more in the Governor's press release [ [link removed] ].

Find more photos from Governor's Small Business Summits on Facebook [ [link removed] ] and session recordings on YouTube [ [link removed] ]. See upcoming events on our events calendar [ [link removed] ].

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*Texas Semiconductor Summit*

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EDT Executive Director Adriana Cruz, Texas CHIPS Office Director Ariane Marion, and other Texas CHIPS Office staff attended the Texas Semiconductor Summit at Texas A&M University. The team presented on the Texas semiconductor industry and the Texas CHIPS Office programs and incentives that continue to bring new industry investment and keep Texas the leading state for semiconductor manufacturing.

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*Texas Economic Development Council Conference*

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EDT's Business & Community Development and Economic Development Finance (EDF) teams attended the Texas Economic Development Council conference in Addison. The EDF team led a panel session highlighting our office's new and ongoing incentive programs and we were honored to participate as greater:SATX received a Community Economic Development Award for the announcement of JCB's new manufacturing facility.

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*Panhandle Regional Planning Commission 55th Annual Meeting*

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In September, EDT Executive Director Adriana Cruz and Community Relations Specialist for the Texas Panhandle Region Adriana Stowers attended the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission’s 55th Annual Meeting in Amarillo. Executive Director Cruz presented to the group on Texas' growth in manufacturing, corporate operations, and other growth industries for Texas.

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*Camfil Groundbreaking*

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In September, EDT Director of Business & Community Development Larry McManus attended the groundbreaking for Camfil's new manufacturing plant in Kilgore. The company was presented with a ceremonial certificate from the Office of the Governor to celebrate this remarkable achievement and the impact their new operations will have on the local community and the state as a whole.

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Join Our Team!
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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 CHIPS Office (TCO), Texas Workforce Investment Council (TWIC), and other divisions. Here's a select sampling of open positions:


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Existing Industry and International Specialist (BCD) [ [link removed] ]


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Office Administrator (TCO) [ [link removed] ]


* Program Specialist (TWIC) [ [link removed] ]

For more information on available positions, visit gov.texas.gov/employment [ [link removed] ].

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*Texas Tech Health El Paso Receives Cancer Care Grant [ [link removed] ]
*Texas Tech Health El Paso received a $5 million grant in support of cancer care within the community. The grant provides cornerstone funding for the future Steve and Nancy Fox Cancer Center to be constructed on the school's campus and will support efforts to recruit top-tier cancer specialists. 



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*Lockheed Martin Opens Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center [ [link removed] ]
*Lockheed Martin celebrated the grand opening of its new Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center in Grand Prairie—a collaborative, connected, and flexible environment designed to enable rapid development and deployment of manufacturing technology solutions and training for teams.







The Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office markets Texas as
one of the world's premier business locations and travel destinations.
For more information on doing business in Texas, visit us online at gov.texas.gov/business [ [link removed] ].



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