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Dear Texas Economic Development Stakeholders,
We are proud to continue to tout the strength of the Texas economy and thriving job market! Texas tripled the U.S. job growth rate in April, adding 42,600 new jobs and leading the nation for jobs added over the last 12 months. This is an indication of the diversity of our industries across the state and the resilience of our employers as they grow and innovate.
In this issue of the Texas Business Bulletin, you'll find a spotlight on hydrogen energy—an important and emerging industry in Texas—as well as new resources and publications, our economic snapshot, recent meetings and upcoming events, as well as project announcements across the state.
As always, please be sure to visit our website, follow us on social media or reach out to a member of our team if we can be of any assistance!
 -Adriana Cruz, Executive Director, Texas Economic Development & Tourism
  Unemployment Rate: 4%
Workforce: 15.2 million
U.S. Rank in Annual Job Growth: #1
Our office develops in-depth reports, publications, infographics and maps highlighting the Lone Star State's best assets for business and targeted growth sectors. Check out more Reports & Publications on our website.
Foreign Trade Zones in Texas Map
Texas has more foreign trade zones (FTZs) than any other state in the nation. After gaining an additional FTZ in 2023, Texas now has 35 across the state! Download the new Texas FTZ map to learn more.
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Headquarter Relocations Snapshot & Listing
Texas continues to attract relocating companies from around the nation and across the world. In fact, there have been nearly 300 new corporate headquarter relocations to Texas since 2015! Download these updated resources to learn more:
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Emerging Industry Spotlight: Hydrogen Energy
Texas is already globally recognized for our leadership in energy, standing as the top energy-producing state in the nation. More recently, Texas has garnered attention for our potential in an emerging energy source: hydrogen.
In October 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that the industry-led partnership HyVelocity Hub was selected to receive funding to develop a new Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub along the Gulf Coast. The Hub will work to advance the clean hydrogen ecosystem in Texas and solidify our state as a national leader in clean hydrogen infrastructure and supply. HyVelocity has more than 90 supporting partners from industry, community engagement and labor organizations, nonprofits, academic institutions and state and local governments. (Infographic Credit: HyVelocity Hub)
Texas is also paving new roads in hydrogen research. With support from the DOE’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office, the Center for Electromechanics at The University of Texas at Austin, along with various corporate partners, opened a new hydrogen research and demonstration facility in April 2024. Considered a significant leap forward in the clean hydrogen economy, this first-of-its-kind hydrogen proto-hub will power a stationary fuel cell for clean, reliable power to the Texas Advanced Computing Center and supply zero-emission fuel to a fleet of Toyota electric vehicles and fuel cell drones.
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In recent years, Texas has been selected for new major hydrogen facility projects. The AES Corporation announced plans for a new mega-scale green hydrogen facility in Wilbarger County. Expected to be the nation's largest green hydrogen facility, it will create more than 115 permanent operations jobs. Additionally, Highly Innovative Fuels selected Matagorda County for its new eFuels facility—the company's first industrial-scale facility in North America—which is expected to create $6 billion in capital investment and 125 new jobs.
Thanks to abundant natural resources and an already robust network of hydrogen infrastructure, including more than 900 miles of hydrogen pipelines, coupled with new research initiatives and innovative public/private partnerships, Texas is a premier location to develop America's next hydrogen hub (source).
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David Menchaca Garcia recently joined the Small Business Assistance Team as a Business Assistance Specialist. In his new role, he will aid and identify opportunities available to Texas’ entrepreneurs, businesses and communities. He serves as the primary point of contact for the Business Permit Office and assists businesses with state licensing and regulatory compliance. Prior, David was a Business Analyst at The University of Texas at Austin. He graduated from Saint Edward’s University with a degree in global studies. David is originally from Monterrey, Mexico, and grew up in Laredo. David enjoys spending his spare time with his dog Charlie, practicing Muay Thai, traveling and watching his favorite sports from baseball to soccer. Reach out to David through our online staff directory.
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Sandra Sanchez recently joined the Small Business Assistance team as a Business Assistance Specialist. She performs consultative services and technical assistance work to provide support to Texas companies and entrepreneurs as they seek to start, grow and sustain their businesses in Texas. Prior to joining the office full-time, she previously served as an intern where she facilitated the revision of the 2024 Texas Business Licenses and Permits Guide and demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of state regulatory compliance. Sandra is a recent graduate from The University of Texas at Austin, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in government with a minor in business and sociology. Sandra is originally from San Antonio. She enjoys trying different coffee shops and is passionate about baking. Reach out to Sandra through our online staff directory.
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Shelley Burleson joined the Business & Community Development team in May as a Research Specialist. She is a native Texan and graduate of Texas State University with a Master of Applied Geography in GIScience and a doctorate in Geography. She lived in Central Mexico for the last eight years. Prior, Shelley worked as an Archives Specialist at the LBJ Library in Austin and previously worked for the U.S. Army Special Operations Forces Archives at Fort Liberty (Fort Bragg) in North Carolina. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, walking the many trails in the area with her wire-haired fox terrier Maisy and discovering new spots to explore. Reach out to Shelley through our online staff directory.
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 The Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office, within the Office of the Governor,
invites Texas companies to apply to join the Texas Pavilion at MEDICA in Germany, November 11-14, 2024. MEDICA is one of the largest medical B2B trade fairs in the world. For more than 50 years, it has been a fixed event for the global medical, biotechnology, life sciences and health care industries.
As an exhibitor, you will:
- Showcase your product or service to 83,000 attendees
- Meet with more than 5,300 exhibitors from almost 70 countries in 18 halls
- Find potential customers and business partners
- Gain inspiration for potential new ways to do business
- Connect with businesses from all stages of the value chain
 
The latest addition to H-E-B's footprint in Texas is a new e-commerce fulfillment center in Cibolo. (Photo Credit: H-E-B)
 Texas' success in attracting the most corporate expansion and relocation projects in the U.S. is thanks to a unique combination of competitive business advantages that no other state can claim. For more on these business advantages, visit our Why Texas webpages. Here are some recently announced projects in regions across the state:
Join us at an upcoming Governor's Small Business Summit! These events aim to help Texas small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs reach new heights by connecting them with the resources and information needed to start, strengthen and grow a business. This event offers a variety of sessions bringing together local, state and federal resource partners to provide key insights on critical business topics. It's also an opportunity to network with other business owners and meet experts who will share timely, relevant and actionable advice on a multitude of small business topics.
   “It ain’t bragging if it's true!” Here are some of the recent accolades Texas has received:
- Texas is named the top solar state in the country, ranking #1 for installed solar capacity in 2023 (SEIA).
- Texas dominates the list of cities with the highest increase in homeowners aged 25 to 44, with four cities experiencing over 50% growth from 2012 to 2022 (MoneyGeek).
- Texas cities are included in the Top 15 Fastest Growing Cities by Percent Change in the nation, according to the U.S. Census Bureau: Celina (#1), Fulshear (#2), Princeton (#3), Anna (#4), Georgetown (#8), Prosper (#9), Forney (#10) and Kyle (#11).
- Dallas (#1), Austin (#8) and Houston (#9) all ranked among the Top U.S. Metros Best Positioned to Benefit from Manufacturing Boom (CommercialSearch).
Download the latest Top Texas Touts to your phone for talking points you can take on-the-go—everything from economic expansion, job creation, workforce, industry, infrastructure, education and more.
Meeting with President of Kosovo
 Governor Greg Abbott met with the President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu and other Kosovan government and business leaders to discuss growing the economic ties and strengthening the international partnership between Texas and Kosovo. Read more in the Governor's press release.
 Meeting with Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs
 Governor Greg Abbott met with the Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström and a delegation of other Swedish leaders to discuss bolstering the international economic partnership between Texas and Sweden. During the meeting, Governor Abbott and Minister Billström discussed the shared economic interests between Texas and Sweden, including advancing in the aerospace, energy and advanced manufacturing industries. Read more in the Governor's press release.
 Meeting with Canadian Officials and Companies
 Governor Greg Abbott, EDT Executive Director Adriana Cruz and Deputy Secretary of State Dave Nelson met with the Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade & Economic Development Mary Ng, the Ambassador of Canada to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman, Consul General Susan Harper and a delegation of Canadian companies and province leaders. During the meeting, the group discussed the strong and growing investment and trade relationship between Texas and Canada.
 Brazoria County Quarterly Luncheon
 In May, EDT Executive Director Adriana Cruz attended the Economic Development Alliance of Brazoria County's Quarterly Luncheon. Adriana spoke to a group of local sponsors, members and elected officials about the Texas economy and how we are working together to build a bigger, better Texas.
TTA Women in Travel Conference
 Also in May, Executive Director Adriana Cruz spoke at the Texas Travel Alliance (TTA) Women in Travel Conference in San Antonio. Adriana spoke on the importance of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries and their role in bolstering the Texas economy, as well as EDT's Travel Texas initiatives to continue attracting tourism to Texas communities.
 Invest Brazos Valley Quarterly Breakfast & Trip to Bryan-College Station
 EDT Executive Director Adriana Cruz traveled to Bryan-College Station to speak at the Invest Brazos Valley quarterly breakfast. While in town, Adriana also toured the National Center for Therapeutic Manufacturing, Texas A&M University's RELLIS research campus and the Bush Combat Development Complex where innovation, research and testing are helping to advance the U.S. defense and security capabilities in critical technology areas.
Laredo Vision 24 “State of the Business Community”
 The Laredo Chamber of Commerce hosted EDT Executive Director Adriana Cruz at their Laredo Vision 24 “State of the Business Community” breakfast where she served as the keynote speaker. Adriana presented on economic development in Texas, our office's resources, business attraction across the state and local growth in the Laredo region.
Governor's Small Business Summit — Round Rock
 The sold-out Governor's Small Business Summit — Round Rock took place May 30 and featured topics such as workforce solutions strategies, marketing and communications, leveraging technology, HUB certification, cybersecurity and finance and funding. A group of local entrepreneurs were awarded the Governor's Small Business Awards. Find more upcoming Governor's Small Business Summits on our events calendar.
Interested in working with the best state economic development team in the country and helping grow the Lone Star State's economy? Come join our team! There are multiple positions for experienced professionals in Business & Community Development (BCD), Economic Development Finance (EDF), Texas Music Office (TMO), Texas Film Commission (TFC) and other divisions. Here's a select sampling of open positions:
For more information on available positions, visit gov.texas.gov/employment.
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