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Dear Texas Economic Development & Tourism Stakeholders,
The state of Texas continues to remain focused on helping Texas small businesses recover and rebuild following the devastating and historic flooding around Central Texas.
That's why in August, our office hosted the first Governor's Small Business Disaster Recovery Fair in Kerrville to bring together resource providers, small business lenders and state and federal agencies to provide assistance and recovery resources to business owners in the region. More on this impactful event below. Resilience and determination define our great state. Together, we are Texas Strong, and we will rebuild stronger and create a more prosperous future for all Texans.
In this issue of the Texas Business Bulletin, you'll find an update on small business loan support programs, a feature on foreign direct investment trends in Texas, new staff spotlight, recent project announcements, our economic snapshot and much more.
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, EDT Executive Director
Home to more than 3.5 million small businesses, Texas is focused on ensuring our state remains the best in the country to start and run a business. The programs listed below can help small and micro-businesses that are rebuilding and recovering:
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Texas Micro-Business Disaster Recovery (MBDR) Loan Program: provides zero-interest loans to eligible Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) for purposes of making interest-bearing loans to qualifying micro-businesses with no more than 20 employees that have difficulty in accessing capital following a federal, state or local declared disaster. CDFIs are encouraged to apply to participate in the program now and before potential disasters strike.
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Texas Small Business Credit Initiative (TSBCI) Program: supports small business growth and helps create new jobs through increased access to small business funding. The latest listing of approved financial institutions (FIs) is now available online as well as a new, simplified application process for financial institutions. FIs should visit the TSBCI Portal to apply, and small businesses should reach out to an approved lender.
  Unemployment Rate: 4%
Workforce: 15.8 million
Jobs Added Over the Year: 232,500
Lauren Slusher joined the Business & Community Development team as a Project Development Coordinator. She previously worked as an International Trade Specialist for the U.S. Department of Commerce, where she helped U.S. businesses export internationally. She graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Master of Global Policy Studies and an emphasis in International Trade and Finance and East Asia. She also studied Mandarin Chinese. Lauren earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas A&M University, where she also specialized in International Trade and Finance. She and her fiancé both grew up in East Texas and now reside in Hutto with their three cats. You may contact Lauren through our online staff directory.
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Will Taylor joined the Small Business Assistance team as a Business Assistance Specialist. He performs technical assistance work and consultative services to provide support to Texas businesses as they seek to grow and maintain their operations in Texas. He also helps coordinate and plan the numerous Governor's Small Business Summits held throughout the year. Prior to joining the office, Will graduated from Texas A&M University with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in economics. Outside of the workplace, Will can be found pursuing interests that include collegiate athletics, good food and Texas blues. You may contact Will through our online staff directory.
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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 the latest Reports & Publications on our website.
The 2025-26 Texas Economic Development Guide is here! Check out the latest edition to learn more about how we are building a bigger, better Texas for generations to come, plus interviews with Governor Greg Abbott, EDT Executive Director Adriana Cruz and more.
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The Future of Global Business: FDI in Texas
Governor Greg Abbott celebrates the ribbon cutting for the State of Texas Taiwan Office (STTO) during the Texas-Asia International Business Development Mission. The STTO works to promote Texas exports in Taiwan and other Asian countries and attracts FDI into Texas.
Texas is the future of global business, attracting international firms of all sizes and industries from around the world. With a $2.7 trillion economy—the eighth largest economy in the world—Texas offers the foundation and opportunity for global companies to succeed.
As the #1 U.S. destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) over the last two decades, Texas offers unmatched business advantages that no other state can claim—no corporate or personal income tax, a highly skilled and diverse workforce, easy access to global markets, robust infrastructure and a reasonable regulatory environment. Texas also offers lower operating costs, lower energy costs and lower land costs with fewer land-use restrictions.
Texas is positioned to lead as we enter a new era of global business and trade. Our strategic geographic location in the center of North America and robust transportation networks provide easy access to domestic and global markets via air, land and sea. In fact, Texas has remained the top exporting state in the nation for the last 23 years in a row, making “Made in Texas” a powerful global brand.
There are already 2,170 foreign corporations doing business in the state—a number that only continues to grow. Among the many international firms in Texas are SeAH, GlobalWafers, JCB, Kubota, Toyota, Ericsson, Mitsubishi, Samsung and Aisin, just to name a few.
The chart below depicts Texas' top FDI source countries where international projects, capital investment and new jobs are coming from.
Texas Top FDI Source Countries (fDi Markets, 2003-2024)
Over the last 10 years, Texas has attracted more than 1,860 FDI projects, which are expected to create $189.6 billion in capital investment and more than 167,900 new jobs.
Not to mention, Texas’ share of FDI jobs is the highest of any state, according to market share in total number of jobs announced through FDI between 2020 and 2023.
Most importantly, Texas moves at the speed of business, cutting regulatory red tape that hinders business growth and formation. As more international companies choose Texas for their U.S. business investment, it’s clear that Texas is the future of global business.
For more on FDI in Texas, visit our International Business webpage and download the new Texas + Country Profiles featuring the latest data on our top trade and investment partners!
We hope that you'll join us at a Governor's Small Business Summit near you! Take your entrepreneurial journey to new heights by connecting with resources and information to help start, strengthen and grow a business in Texas. These events bring together local, state and federal resource partners to provide key insights on critical business topics. There's also opportunity to network with other business owners and hear from subject-matter experts to gain timely, relevant and actionable advice.
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September 11: Governor’s Small Business Summit — Eagle Pass
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September 25: Governor’s Small Business Summit — Carthage
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October 23: Governor’s Small Business Summit — Denton, Honoring Women-Owned Businesses
The Governor's Small Business Summit — Dalhart has been postponed is being rescheduled in 2026. Stay tuned for more details to come!
  Texas' success in attracting the most corporate expansion and relocation projects in the U.S. is due to a unique combination of competitive business advantages that are found only in Texas. For more on these business advantages, visit our Why Texas webpages. Here are some recently announced projects in regions across the state:
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Collins Aerospace in Richardson: Collins Aerospace will expand its aerospace manufacturing and R&D operations in Richardson. The project is expected to create more than 570 new jobs and more than $57 million in capital investment. A Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) grant of more than $3.7 million was extended to the company.
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Brazos Midstream in Martin County: Brazos Midstream announced an expansion of their natural gas processing plant in Martin County. The project is expected to create $185 million in capital investment and has qualified for an agreement under the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology & Innovation (JETI) program.
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Apple and MP Materials in Texas: As part of Apple's commitment of $500 million towards buying American-made rare earth magnets developed at MP Materials’ facility in Fort Worth, Apple and MP Materials will build out a state-of-the-art Texas factory with a series of neodymium magnet manufacturing lines specifically designed for Apple products.
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Vantage in Shackelford County: Vantage Data Centers announced it will build a $25 billion large-scale data center in Shackelford County, creating thousands of jobs.
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Amazon in Terrell: Amazon selected Terrell as the location of a new international distribution center, expected to create 1,000 new jobs.
  "It ain't bragging if it's true!" Here are some of the recent accolades Texas has received:
- Texas is the nation's leader in gaining the most reshoring jobs. Texas reshored more than 24,700 jobs in 2024 and the state is projected to bring back more than 40,200 jobs to the U.S. in 2025, according to data from the Reshoring Initiative.
- Texas dominates the list of Fastest-Growing Cities and Towns in America between 2023 and 2024, ranked by percent increase in population. (U.S. Census Bureau)
- Texas cities are among the Top 25 Lowest-Cost Manufacturing Locations in the U.S., where companies can stretch their dollars the furthest, according to Site Selection.
- Texas companies represent more than 10% of the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies in America. In total, there are 519 Texas businesses on the list, tied to $38 billion in revenue and employing almost 114,000 people. (Source)
Download the latest Top Texas Touts to your mobile device for talking points you can take on-the-go—everything from economic expansion, job creation, workforce, industry, infrastructure, education and more.
The EDT team continues to participate in various meetings, events and engagements with our economic development partners and stakeholders. Here's a selection of just a few of the many recent activities.
Meeting with Spanish Ambassador Moreno Bau
 Governor Greg Abbott held a meeting with Spanish Ambassador to the U.S. Ángeles Moreno Bau at the Texas Capitol to discuss strengthening the economic relationship between Spain and Texas. Spain is the eighth-largest source country for total foreign direct investment projects in Texas. Read more in the Governor's press release.
 Launch of NYSE Texas
 Governor Abbott, joined by EDT Executive Director Adriana Cruz, rang the Closing Bell of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in celebration of the launch of NYSE Texas. Earlier this year, NYSE announced plans to launch NYSE Texas, a fully electronic equities exchange to be headquartered in Dallas. Read more in the Governor's press release.
 Governor's Small Business Disaster Recovery Fair
 The Governor's Small Business Disaster Recovery Fair in Kerrville brought together resources from across the state to provide assistance to small businesses in the region impacted by the historic and devastating flooding. The event offered the opportunity to connect with resource partners and state and federal agencies. Acting Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Kelly Hancock served as the keynote speaker.
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