Texas is a land of ongoing success and endless opportunity; Texans aren't too shy about telling people about it, either. It's not bragging if it's true, however, and the Lone Star State’s winning mix of low taxes, reasonable regulatory structure, fair court system and world-class workforce has been paying dividends in terms of press recognition, economic rankings and, most importantly, good jobs for hard-working Texans. Here is just some of the evidence supporting Texans’ contention that the Lone Star State is the best place in the nation to live, work and raise a family.
How Texas Measures Up
Texas Enterprise Fund: Attracting New Jobs and Investments to Texas
Spotlight on Texas
April 14, 2011 - California Assembly Member Dan Logue - Chair, Caucus Task Force on Jobs and Economic Recovery
January 15, 2010 - Bill Bennett, Host of Morning in America
January 14, 2011 - Stephen Moore, Editorial Page Editor of Wall Street Journal
October 11, 2010 - Dr. Wayne Winegarden, Partner, Arduin, Laffer & Moore Econometrics
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Wednesday, August 20, 2008
MIAMI HERALD - Texas Gains 38,700 Tourism Jobs Over 2008
Texas gained 38,700 tourism jobs over the past year. The state has added jobs across many industries... -
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
FORBES: Best Cities to Buy a Home
Houston, we don't have a housing problem. The city's $152,500 median home sale price is up 6.6% from 2005. It boasts a low vacancy rate and an oil-rich economy. Throw in a bubbling entrepreneurial tech scene, and you've got four factors that put Houston on the top of our list of best places to buy a home. -
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Texas ranked No. 1 according to corporate real estate executives across the country polled for the Executive Survey Business Climate Rankings 2007. (Site Selection, November 2007)
The Texas business climate again shines in the opinion of corporate real estate executives. As the primary decision makers in corporate relocation, Texas is proud that these individuals have recognized the benefits of doing business in that state and understand the continued commitment of the State’s leadership to continue to make Texas the best place to do business. Their response to Site Selection’s survey validates what we know to be true – Texas is truly wide open for business. -
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Texas was named the No. 1 state in the 2007 Legislative Quotient by Expansion Management magazine for the most business-friendly legislative climate. (Expansion Management, December 2007)
It’s one thing to know that you have a business-friendly business climate, but it’s quite another when others are validating your claim. Under Governor Rick Perry’s leadership, Texas has passed legislation that creates a business climate that is not only conducive to doing business but has created an unemployment rate that consistently falls below the national average. Being ranked No. 1 by Expansion Management adds to the many others that have recognized the Texas business climate as friendly to the companies who operate here. For companies looking to expand or relocate to the state, rankings like this are hard to ignore. -
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Texas continues to lead the nation in wind capacity added to the electric grid. Texas’ cumulative wind-generating capacity (4,356 MW) is 26 percent of all wind power installed in the U.S. (American Wind Energy Association, January 2008)
The energy industry has always played a major role in the Texas economy, so investing in renewables is a natural fit. Wind is a clean, affordable and renewable energy resource which plays a growing role in the U.S. and Texas energy markets. Because of the existing and growing synergies in the energy industry, companies with emerging renewable technologies gravitate to Texas. Texas is also leading the nation with the legislation supporting the industry. Texas’ Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZ) designate the best areas in the state to construct electric transmission infrastructure that will move renewable energy from those zones to markets where people use energy. -
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Texas was named the 2007 State of the Year by Business Facilities magazine. The first annual ranking singles out the state with the most economically significant relocation and expansion projects of the year. (Business Facilities, December 2007)
Texas has always performed in a BIG way. Our low cost of doing business and quality workforce attracts companies that are willing to make a significant investment in our state and in their future. As stated by Business Facilities, “When all was said and done, Texas took the spot as this year’s big winner, with a total of $15.4 billion worth of investment and 9,335 jobs to be created by the (ten) projects it submitted. The Lone Star State certainly earned its designation as the 2007 Business Facilities State of the Year—as no other state came close to those numbers.” -
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
According to consulting firm OCO Global, Texas ranked #1 nationally by FDI investment in 2006 and 2007, with over $14.9 billion invested into the state in 2007
This ranking speaks volumes for the Lone Star State. Not only is our favorable business climate and proximity to markets being recognized by domestic companies, it also acts as a magnet for international companies. Being No. 1 in foreign direct investment validates our ability to compete in the global marketplace. -
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
For the third straight year, the nation’s leading executives rank Texas as the best state in which to do business, applauding the state for controlling taxes and spending as well as for its positive regulatory burden, quality of life and infrastructure. (Chief Executive Magazine, January 2008)
This ranking is significant because it is not based solely on arbitrary economic indicators. Instead, it reflects the sentiment not of CEOs and decision makers throughout the nation. Voicing the positive sentiment of many respondents, Charles Hannabarger, President and CEO of PSI Associates, said, "Texas has a strong economy with a diversified economic base. The cost of living is low and the quality of life is very good. The attitude and capabilities of the workforce are outstanding!” -
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Texas ranked No. 1 for the number of firms on the 2008 FORTUNE 500 list, with 58 companies headquartered in the state. The Lone Star State also ranked No. 1 on the 2008 FORTUNE 1000 with 113 companies headquartered in the state. (FORTUNE, April 2008)
For the first time ever, Texas tops Fortune’s list for the most number of company headquarters located within the state for 2008. Texas leads the nation on the Fortune 500 and 1000 lists with 113 featured companies headquartered in state. As Texas surpasses New York and California on Fortune’s annual rankings we continue to see a positive trend with companies seeking shelter from high taxes, inflated housing markets and over-regulated business climates. Texas is truly wide open for business.