In Case You Missed It: Business Facilities Magazine Names Texas Best Business Climate in the Nation; U.S. Chamber of Commerce Names Texas a Leader in Job Creation

Texas' strong jobs climate and economic pillars continue to receive national recognition, most recently from Business Facilities magazine, which has ranked Texas's business climate best in the nation, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce-National Chamber Foundation, whose Enterprising States study named Texas a leader in job growth and one of the states most likely to grow.

"These rankings echo what employers from across the country and around the world have long known - that Texas' strong jobs climate allows them to grow and prosper thanks to our low taxes, predictable regulations, fair courts and skilled workforce," Gov. Perry said. "Our commitment to these priorities has helped make Texas the best place to live, work, raise a family and start a business, and will continue creating opportunity for families in the Lone Star State."

Business Facilities magazine credited Texas' strong workforce, diverse economy and economic priorities with the state's success. The magazine ranked each state's education climate, workforce training/availability, cost of labor, infrastructure, utility costs, credit rating and business tax climate, giving extra credit to states that have business-friendly policies and incentives. Texas previously received Business Facilities' top ranking in 2009 and 2010.

In the third edition of its Enterprising States study, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce-National Chamber Foundation named Texas a leader in job growth, exports and entrepreneurship, and noted it is one of few states that showed more than eight percent job growth over the past decade. The study touts Texas' exports, entrepreneurial activity, higher education efficiency and low cost of living as factors in the state's economic success. The study also credits Texas' economic development incentive funds, loser pays legislation and workforce development initiatives with strengthening the state's economy.

The Lone Star State's economy continues to receive national recognition. CNBC has named Texas the 2012 Top State for Business, and CEO Magazine recently named Texas the Best State for Business for the eighth year in a row. The Wall Street Journal has credited the state's low taxes and employer-friendly environment with helping make Texas the job creation capital of the nation. Texas is also the nation's leading exporting state for the tenth year in a row, and consistently ranks among the top states with the most Fortune 500 headquarters.

For more information about Business Facilities' study, please visit: http://businessfacilities.com/news/business-facilities-2012-state-rankings-texas-takes-best-business-climate-crown/.

To view the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's full Enterprising States study, please visit: http://ncf.uschamber.com/library/enterprising-states.