The 2022 Business Licenses & Permits Guide is now available! This guide is a great tool for anyone interested in starting a business in the state of Texas.

The guide offers information on licenses and permits that may be required for 300+ business types, including direct links to appropriate state resources that can help address permitting needs.

Please let us know if you have any questions regarding the guide or how to start your business in the Lone Star State. Specific licensing and permitting questions may be directed to the Business Permits Office.

Q: How did Texas' economic development successes in 2021 position the state for continued success in 2022?

There’s no denying that 2021 was a record-breaking year in terms of economic development wins for the Lone Star State. Our state was named the Best State for Business for the 17th year in a row by the nation's top CEOs, we received a 9th Governor's Cup in a row and 17th total cup for most corporate relocation and expansion projects, and we won the Gold Shovel Award for the 9th year, recognizing our state's efforts to attract high-value investment and large job creating projects. We also saw a significant number of headquarter relocations—73 in total with almost half of those from California companies.

I think that with this significant momentum behind us, we’re going to continue to see a high level of interest in Texas and see even more economic development wins in 2022.

Other notable wins last year, such as Samsung’s $17 billion investment in Taylor—the largest foreign direct investment on record in Texas—will not only spur continued economic development activity in 2022, but for decades to come.

Q: Last year, Texas added back all jobs lost from the pandemic impact and then some. How do you see job creation and workforce development continuing in 2022?

The most recent job data shows that Texas reached more than 13 million jobs in November 2021, surpassing our state’s pre-pandemic employment levels. This also marked a more than 100% job recovery rate, adding back more than 1.45 million jobs lost at the peak of the pandemic. This milestone highlights the resiliency of the Texas economy, which has allowed us to remain a national leader in job creation and an economic powerhouse. Thanks to our state’s focus on economic freedom and prosperity, and a concerted effort on workforce development, we are poised to continue this trend into 2022.

Workforce development will continue to be a priority for the state. Innovative programs such as the Skills Development Fund and the Skills for Small Business Program, through the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Texas Talent Connection Grant, through the Texas Workforce Investment Council, will be essential to developing our state's workforce pipeline, as well as reskilling and upskilling Texans.  

Q: Texas has increasingly become known as the new headquarters for headquarters. What do you expect for Texas in 2022 in terms of HQ relocations?

In 2021, Texas saw more headquarter relocations than any other year. As I stated above, more than 70 businesses relocated to the Lone Star State with about half of those from California. I expect that this trend will remain as companies continue to look for a location with the freedom to innovate, succeed, and grow. Thanks to our superior environment for back office operations and financial services, and a corporate services workforce of more than 1.5 million, Texas has the foundation for headquarters to thrive. Nearly 50 Fortune 500 companies call Texas home and notable brand names such as NRG Energy, AECOM, Tesla, and Gordon Ramsay North America announced headquarter relocation plans last year. We expect to see even more corporations in 2022 announce that they have “Gone to Texas”!

Q: What other major economic developments trends do you foresee in 2022?

Looking ahead for 2022, I foresee a number of positive economic development trends for Texas:

• Companies are attracted to Texas for a combination of unique business advantages that no other state can claim: a superior business climate, a strategic location in the center of North America, a highly skilled, diverse, and growing workforce, no corporate or personal income tax, a robust infrastructure network, and a pro-business regulatory environment. Thanks to these factors, and an exceptional quality of life and relatively lower costs, I think we will continue to see a “Texas migration” as more and more businesses and individuals flock to the Lone Star State. 
• We will continue to see diversification of our industrial base across the state. Last year, brought new capital investment in sectors from advanced manufacturing and biotech, to corporate services, energy, aerospace, and more. Our economy is sure to continue to become more diverse in 2022.
• New industries are also going to take hold in Texas. We’ll see development in up-and-coming industries such as electric vehicles and battery manufacturing, cybersecurity, cryptocurrency, and commercial space tourism.

One of the most important trends that will continue well into the future is the team effort that it takes to be successful in economic development in Texas. The reason behind our record-breaking year, our success, and our accolades is the close collaboration between the Governor’s Office, our community partners, our state agency partners, and our educational institutions. In Texas, economic development will continue to be a team sport!

Texas Aerospace, Aviation & Defense Industry Report

Texas is one of the most important locations globally for aerospace and aviation operations and is a leader in defense spending. Download our newest industry snapshot for more on the aerospace, aviation and defense industry in Texas.

Timothy Jackson has joined the Business & Community Development Team as a Program Specialist. Tim has a diverse prior employment history that includes positions as an English tutor, cruise boat bartender and grocery store manager. Additionally, Tim worked at the University of Texas as both a Research Assistant for the Psychology Department and a Sport Club Supervisor for Recreational Sports. Tim holds an Associate of Arts from San Jacinto College, and he is set to graduate in May from the University of Texas with a bachelor’s degree in Government and Philosophy. After graduation, Tim plans to attend Law School in 2023. In his free time, Tim likes to stay active. He is currently a First Degree Black Belt in the Mixed Martial Art of Krav Maga and is in the process of earning a Personal Trainer Certification. You may contact Tim through our online staff directory.

Thomas Butterfield has joined the Economic Development Finance Team as a Coordinator after serving as an intern with the office last Fall. Thomas graduated in May 2021 from Texas A&M University with a Master of Science in Finance and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. During his schooling, he led a 40-member research team on advanced water desalination to win second place in a school-wide competition, played the tuba for the University Symphonic Band, and was a Fish Camp counselor for two summers. Thomas' interests and hobbies involve reading, especially science fiction, going for walks and bike rides, and meeting up with friends. You may contact Thomas through our online staff directory.

UTSA and Baylor Achieve Carnegie Tier One Status
The University of Texas at San Antonio and Baylor University have become the latest universities in the state to achieve the prestigious ranking for research activity, Carnegie Tier One. The universities join eight other public universities in the state that are designated as Tier One universities.

Embark Expands Autonomous Trucking in Texas
Embark Trucks, Inc., a developer of autonomous technology for the trucking industry, announced its expansion into Texas and the launch of a new autonomous trucking lane between Houston and San Antonio. To support the expansion, Embark announced a partnership with the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station to utilize their state-of-the-art test track, and plans to work closely with the Center for Autonomous Vehicles and Sensor Systems (CANVASS).

UTD Partnership in Quantum Device Manufacturing
University of Texas at Dallas researchers and a North Texas company are working to commercialize technology developed at the university that makes it possible for the first time to manufacture tiny quantum devices on a large scale. The Department of Energy granted two Small Business Technology Transfer awards, providing $1.1 million to support the research.