Key Initiatives

• Border Commerce

  Governor Perry is the first Texas governor to actively address the unique needs of the border region. In 1999, then Lt. Governor Perry created the first Senate Committee on Border Affairs.  Since then, Governor Perry has incorporated border needs in his priorities and policy initiatives, aiming to enhance the quality of life of Texans living in the border region and the economic prosperity of the entire state.

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• International Trade Missions

  Building on the newly-opened avenues of trade in the aftermath of NAFTA, Texas has aggressively pursued foreign trade enroute to becoming the nation’s top exporting state. An essential element of that effort is a series of trade missions undertaken to recruit foreign companies to Texas. By carrying the message that “Texas is wide open for business” these efforts have promoted financial investment, job creation, and increased trade relationships for Texas companies.
  As a result, in 2007, Texas was ranked the number one state by export revenues for the sixth year in a row, with over $168 billion, and tops in attracting international capital with over $14.9 billion invested into the state.
  

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• Promoting Texas Film

  The Texas Film Commission helps create more jobs for Texans and bolsters the state’s economy by raising the visibility of local media industries and encouraging new productions in the state. Texas remains a competitive destination for film, television, commercial, animation and video game production with the help of the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program, the Film Commission’s Workforce Training Program, the State Property Usage Rules for filming, as well as the Film Friendly Texas Program.

  With the signing of HB 873 on April 23, 2009, Texas renewed its efforts to promote growth within the media industries by increasing production grant amounts up to fifteen percent of in-state spending or up to 25% of wages paid directly to Texas residents. The Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program has increased production in Texas, with nearly 300 film, television, commercial and video game projects applying for production grants since June 2007. As a result, it is estimated that these projects have spent more than $360 million in Texas and created more than 3,000 full time positions locally.

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• Promoting Texas Music

  During Gov. Perry’s administration, the Texas Music Office has continued to expand its EnjoyTexasMusic.com business referral network with increasing numbers annually: from 11,818 music business and artist listings in 2001 to 17,568 listings in 2007.
  

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• Promoting Texas Tourism

  With a remarkably diverse array of choices for travelers, Texas has become a leading destination for tourists from across the nation and around the world.  Known for highly effective and award-winning advertising and marketing campaigns, Texas Tourism – The Economic Development and Tourism division of the Governor Rick Perry’s Office – relies heavily on an effective public-private partnership.  The office’s marketing is targeted to areas with high travel propensities that yield the greatest return on investment.

  The most recent data, from 2006, shows that Texas continues to be one of the most popular tourist destinations in the U.S., with an estimated volume of 205 million travelers. Direct travel spending in Texas for 2006 reached $53.8 billion, an increase of 9.3 percent over 2005. Direct travel spending generated an additional $7.1 billion in federal, state and local taxes, or about $860 in tax revenue per Texas household.
  

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