Dear Texas Economic Development Stakeholders,
As we ease into the summer months, the Texas economy continues its fast track to recovery. Unemployment has dipped to 6.7%, and we have added back more than 1 million jobs of the 1.5 million lost due to the pandemic. We also continue to see a significant increase in the number of businesses interested in Texas due to our strong economy, reasonable regulatory climate and the second largest workforce in the nation. There are no signs of business investment activity slowing, which means more jobs and capital investment for our state and local economies.
I hope you enjoy this month's new and improved Texas Business Bulletin, with a new look and increased mobile optimization. In this newsletter, you will get to meet our newest team members, discover some of our recently published industry reports and read about the many project announcements over the past month. Be sure to visit our website and follow us on social media to receive the most up-to-date information and announcements from our office. Thanks for your continued partnership and for all that you do for the Lone Star State!
— Adriana Cruz, Executive Director
Leisure & Hospitality: 14,100 jobs added
Government: 11,300 jobs added
Professional & Business Services: 8,300 jobs added
Kimberly Rodriguez joined the Business & Community Development team as a Business Assistance Specialist. Kimberly is responsible for providing direct, technical assistance to Texas small businesses while supporting the planning and execution of the Governor's Small Business Series. Previously, Kimberly worked as a Human Resources Manager and as a Project Manager for various small businesses. Kimberly is originally from Edinburg, Texas, and graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio with a degree in Business Administration. During her free time, Kimberly enjoys reading and walking her dog, Bella. You can reach Kimberly at (512) 318-7593 or through our staff directory.
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Juan Galvan joined the Texas Economic Development & Tourism (EDT) Office as a Program Specialist. Juan is responsible for consultative services and technical assistance duties that help organize all the departments within EDT. Formerly, Juan worked in emergency telecommunications which, included serving the community through first responder service. Juan was born and raised in Edinburg, Texas, and graduated from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley with a degree in Business Management. During his free time, Juan enjoys traveling and spending time with family. You can reach Juan at (512) 936-9744, or through our staff directory.
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The Texas Workforce Commission’s Skills Development Fund (SDF) is Texas' premier upskilling program. The SDF program provides grants to help companies, in partnership with local community colleges, technical schools and workforce boards, receive no-cost customized job training for their workforce. On average, the program supports training costs of $2,000 per trainee; however, the benefit may vary depending on the proposal. Funds to upskill your employees or the employees of businesses in your community are still available. To find out more about the program and how to apply, please contact the SDF team at (877) 463-1777 or skills@twc.texas.gov.
The start of the Texas hurricane season (June 1 – November 30) serves as a reminder for businesses and communities to be prepared for natural disasters and other possible emergencies. It is also important to be aware of the latest resources available to help once disaster strikes. That is why we have created a new webpage to assist in preparation and recovery surrounding these events. Our new website offers a comprehensive listing of resources for small businesses, local governments and economic development organizations in Texas.
Our office continues to develop new materials highlighting the best assets the Lone Star State has for various industry sectors. Check out these and other Reports & Publications on our website.
enter in the world, as well as cutting-edge innovation and public-private partnerships, Texas is a leading hub for biotechnology and life sciences. Learn more about groundbreaking developments in biotech and life sciences in Texas.
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Texas continues to lead the nation in terms of trade activity and foreign direct investment, ranking as the top U.S. state for exports for the past 18 consecutive years. Learn more about Texas' trade and foreign direct investment landscape and its significant impact on our economy.
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The tech industry in Texas is booming and our state's innovative firms, both large and small, are leading the charge towards new technological advancements. Learn more about the growth of the information technology industry in Texas.
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Why have so many companies "Gone to Texas"? Learn more about Texas' coordinated economic development effort in this informative guide, published by Site Selection Magazine. Be sure to check out interviews with Governor Greg Abbott and EDT's Executive Director, Adriana Cruz, about the health of the Texas economy and the reasons why companies of all sizes are choosing to relocate and expand to the Lone Star State.
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From a Fortune 500 headquarter relocation, to a growing artificial intelligence company, businesses of various sizes and diverse industries have announced plans to invest in Texas. Here are just a few of our state's expansion or relocation announcements over the past month:
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NRG to Houston: Fortune 500 company, NRG Energy, has officially designated Houston as its new sole headquarters location and will relocate its base from Princeton, New Jersey. The company cited the diversity of Houston’s professional talent among the key factors driving the decision.
- Wagners CFT in Parker County: Australian-based structural fiberglass manufacturer, Wagners CFT, is building their first U.S. manufacturing and assembly plant in Parker County, Texas. A Texas Enterprise Fund grant of $1,799,984 has been extended to the company for the creation of more than 300 new jobs.
- Cacique in Amarillo: Cacique is opening their newest food processing facility in Amarillo. The project will create close to 200 jobs and $88 million in capital investment. A Texas Enterprise Fund grant of $1,132,000 has been extended to Cacique.
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SIMFLO, VXI Global Solutions LLC, Starnik Systems and CEV Multimedia in Lubbock: Four Lubbock-based companies are planning to expand their footprint in the area, creating more than 500 new jobs and a combined capital investment of $11.4 million.
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Aviagen in Longview: Poultry breeding company, Aviagen North America, is planning to invest $24 million in a new facility in the Longview Business Park, creating at least 69 jobs.
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Amazon in Robstown: Amazon announced its next distribution facility in Nueces County, creating around 100 new jobs in the area. The Last Mile Facility is expected to be running by late 2021.
Last month, the Economic Development Finance (EDF) team hosted a series webinars to provide information about the Events Trust Funds (ETF) program and best practices for applying and filing. The ETF program serves as an economic incentive tool utilized by Texas communities to attract various types of events to the Lone Star State. The highly informative webinar series had more than 100 attendees, of which more than 50 were eligible entities from across the state. Learn more about the ETF program.
The Governor’s Commission for Women is dedicated to advancing economic opportunities for Texas women and making Texas the No. 1 state for women-owned businesses. The Beacon State Fund, in partnership with the Governor’s Commission for Women, will host a series of informative webinars for each region of Texas. The webinar series is an opportunity to listen and learn from subject-matter experts and gain actionable advice about starting, growing, and sustaining a business in the regions of Texas. Click on the webinar links below to register:
- Central Texas on Wednesday, July 14, 2021
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West Texas on Wednesday, July 28, 2021
- South Texas on Wednesday, August 18, 2021
- North Texas on Wednesday, September 15, 2021
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East Texas on Wednesday, September 29, 2021
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