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Dear Texas Economic Development Stakeholders,
We are proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Texas as we highlight the many Hispanic Americans in the Lone Star State and their significant impact on the state's culture and economy. In fact, one in five of the nation's Hispanic-owned businesses have decided to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams in Texas and our state is #1 for jobs created by Hispanic women business owners! Not to mention, Texas continues to have one of the most diverse populations in the U.S. that only continues to grow.
I am especially proud to serve as the first Hispanic Executive Director of the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office and proud to serve under the first Hispanic First Lady of Texas, Cecilia Abbott, and the first Hispanic Chief of Staff, Luis Saenz. Together, with our community partners across the state, we continue to focus on keeping Texas one of the most welcoming states for Hispanic-owned businesses and entrepreneurs.
In the October Texas Business Bulletin, you will find information on upcoming events, including Manufacturing Day (October 7) and Texas Chamber of Commerce Week (October 17-21). You'll also find an overview on manufacturing in Texas, an economic snapshot, recent project announcements, Texas touts, plus much more!
As always, please visit our website, follow us on social media or reach out to a member of our team if we can be of any assistance. Thanks for all you do for our great state!
 -Adriana Cruz, Executive Director, Texas Economic Development & Tourism
  Unemployment Rate: 4.1%
Jobs Added in August: 16,400
Job Recovery Rate: 139%
Workforce: 14.6 million
Current Application Window:
Category 3 - Hotels & Motels, Bed & Breakfast (NAICS 7211)
October 1-22, 2022
The third category of potential applicants for the Texas Travel Industry Recovery Grant Program (TTIR) opened October 1, 2022. Category 3 includes businesses and non-profits in Traveler Accommodation: Hotels & Motels and Bed & Breakfast (NAICS 7211).
The TTIR Program, launched on July 6, 2022, was established to provide one-time reimbursement grants of up to $20,000 for the recovery of Texas businesses in the tourism, travel and hospitality industries that were negatively impacted due to COVID-19. These one-time grants are to reimburse eligible costs to these qualifying businesses.
Due to the size of the industry and the high number of potential applicants, applications are being accepted in phases by industry sector identified by NAICS code.
For eligibility and grant application details, deadlines, FAQs and a video tutorial, click the link below, or download the TTIR Program one-pager.
James Price joined the Business & Community Development team as a project development coordinator in September. James’ decade-long experience as a Texas small business owner, and the deep understanding he gained of the challenges and celebrations that accompany business ownership in the Lone Star State, drives his commitment to this new position and he’s excited to make an impact. James has enjoyed a varied career ranging from military service with the U.S. Army to ownership of multiple franchises and real estate investing. The role James enjoys most, though, is being a husband to his high school sweetheart and best friend, Jessica. James and Jessica live in Austin and spend their free time staying active (James loves to scuba dive), going to comedy shows and exploring the ever-evolving city they love. You may reach James through our online staff directory.
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Riccardo Canova joined Business and Community Development in September as the Regional Representative for Central Texas. Riccardo has spent much of his career working in workforce development. He received his bachelor’s degree in Business Management from California State University San Bernardino and his master’s in Theological Studies from Vanguard University of Southern California. He and his family are originally from Southern California, but proudly moved to Texas in November of 2021. When not at work, Riccardo is either learning Hebrew with his wife Vanessa or Brazilian Jiujitsu with his son Eddie. You may reach Riccardo through our online staff directory.
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National Manufacturing Day, taking place October 7, 2022, honors the many companies and dedicated workforce that drive our robust manufacturing industry. In Texas, this is a chance to recognize just how vital this sector is to our state's prosperity—driving economic expansion and creating new jobs. Manufacturing Day also highlights the importance of continued development of the next generation of workers in the field as new advanced manufacturing technologies emerge across Texas. Here are some ways you can participate in Manufacturing Day:
- Attend TMAC's Manufacturing Day Celebration on October 7 in Mansfield, Texas
- Utilize Manufacturing Day tools and resources from the Manufacturing Institute
- Follow @TexasEconDev on social media throughout the week for content to like and share, or post your own content using the hashtags #MadeInTexas & #ManufacturingDayTexas2022
New Resource for Manufacturers >> TMAC has partnered with Sustainment to power the Texas Manufacturing Network, a platform for manufacturers to showcase their capabilities and connect with new customers and partners. There's no better time to create your free profile than on Manufacturing Day! Start here: https://tmac.org/texas-manufacturing-network/
Made in Texas: The Power of a Global Brand
"Made in Texas" is increasingly recognized across the world as one of the most powerful global brands and it serves as a symbol of pride for companies with products that bear the label. Truly a manufacturing mecca, Texas accounts for 10% of the nation's total manufacturing output, and a testament to our state's mighty manufacturers, the Lone Star State has been the #1 exporter in the U.S. for the last two decades.
Did you know? MARS candy and chocolate products are made in Texas! The company's manufacturing facility in Waco, Texas, has been in operation for more than 45 years and makes popular products such as Skittles, Snickers, Starburst and more.
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A large, diverse and highly specialized manufacturing workforce, of more than 900,000 strong, powers our manufacturing sector and attracts the world’s largest manufacturing firms to our state. Texas manufacturers dominate the list of America’s 500 largest public manufacturing companies and Texas ranks #2 in the nation for number of firms, with more than 26,000 establishments.
Thanks to our incredibly diverse economy, Texas is home to strong manufacturing activity across a variety of industries—everything from aerospace, aviation and defense to petrochemical; and from semiconductors and electronic components to food and beverage—and everything in between!
Did you know? Tyson Food's iconic Wright Brand Bacon is made in Texas! Vernon, Texas, has been home to the company's production plant since 1922 and in 2021, they announced a $26 million expansion to the facility.
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The world’s most advanced products are made here in Texas. The state’s advanced manufacturing industry serves as an important launchpad for new technologies and innovation. In fact, Texas has remained the top exporter of high-tech goods for the last nine consecutive years. Not to mention, Texas is frequently chosen for some of the most innovative manufacturing operations, including Ericsson’s state-of-the-art 5G smart factory, Tesla’s newest Gigafactory, Apple’s Mac Pro manufacturing center and Leprino Foods’ dairy product facility.
Did you know? The Samsung Austin Semiconductor fabrication facility has operated in Texas for more than 25 years! The semiconductor chips made there are used in many everyday items, such as phones, cars and other electronic devices. In addition, Texas is the birthplace of the integrated circuit, invented at Texas Instruments in Dallas.
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The Lone Star State is where today’s products are made and where tomorrow’s technologies are brought to life. In Texas, we are committed to making strategic investments to strengthen our title as the manufacturing capital of the nation and we are sure that the "Made in Texas" brand will continue to shine as a global beacon of innovation. For more on the manufacturing industry of Texas, download our Manufacturing Industry Snapshot.
 
Comerica Bank unveiled plans for their new Business & Innovation Hub in Frisco, Texas. (Photo Credit: HKS)
 Texas' success in attracting the highest number of corporate expansions and relocations 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 of Texas' recently announced projects in regions across the state:
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The Ziegenfelder Company in Lockhart: The Ziegenfelder Company, a frozen dessert manufacturer, will establish a new facility in Lockhart. The project is expected to create 100 new jobs and more than $29 million in capital investment. A Texas Enterprise Fund grant of $525,000 was extended to the company.
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Comerica Bank in Frisco: Comerica Bank announced corporate expansion plans in North Texas with development underway for their new Business & Innovation Hub in Frisco.
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Maruichi Stainless Tube in Seguin: Maruichi Stainless Tube Texas Corporation is bringing more than 100 new jobs and $75 million in capital investment to a new, large-scale manufacturing plant in Seguin.
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Tropicale Foods in Lubbock: Tropicale Foods will create a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Lubbock, investing $75 million into the 227,000-square-foot facility.
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Broadwind in Abilene: Broadwind Heavy Fabrications, a manufacturer of large fabrications for the wind tower industry, will invest $3 million in Abilene to expand its existing operations.
  Texas Chamber of Commerce Week is celebrated each year in October to highlight the important work of chambers in communities across the state. Our office is proud to participate in the celebration, taking pace October 17-21, 2022, to spotlight our many local and regional partners and the significant ways they impact our state's economy, create jobs and promote future prosperity for all Texans. Here's how you can join in the celebration:
- Utilize Texas Chamber of Commerce Week resources from Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives
- Follow @TexasEconDev on social media throughout the week for more content to like and share, or post your own using the hashtag #TexasChambersWeek2022
The Netherlands Royal Visit
 Left: Office of the Governor; Right: Greater Houston Partnership
Governor Greg Abbott and EDT's Executive Director, Adriana Cruz met with Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, Dutch government officials and business leaders in Austin to discuss the strong economic partnership between Texas and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Additionally, the Greater Houston Partnership (GHP) hosted a CEO Roundtable event with Dutch and Texas business owners in Houston to discuss shared opportunities and challenges. The event also commemorated the signed Memorandum of Understanding between GHP and the business group from the Netherlands. Read more about the visit online.
 Governor's Small Business Series - Laredo
The Governor’s Small Business Series - Laredo connected area small businesses and entrepreneurs with local, regional and state resource to help start and grow their businesses in Texas. The event covered topics such as marketing and communications, funding and finance, and cybersecurity. The event also featured the Governor's Small Business Awards, given to three local Laredo business owners. For more on this year's upcoming events, visit our events calendar.
Europe Business Development Mission
  The Texas Economic Development Corporation led a Business Development Mission to Europe, September 26-29, 2022. The delegation, which traveled to London, England, Paris, France and the Frankfurt region of Germany, included Texas First Lady, Cecilia Abbott, Texas Secretary of State, John Scott, and EDT's Executive Director, Adriana Cruz, in addition to 12 economic development partners from local communities across the state. The group promoted Texas as a premier business destination through meetings with top business decision-makers and a series of events showcasing Texas as the best state in the nation to do business. The participating communities included:
- Amarillo Economic Development Corporation
- Arlington Economic Development Corporation
- Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation
- Dallas Regional Chamber
- Frisco Economic Development Corporation
- greater:SATX Regional Economic Partnership
- Greater San Marcos Partnership
- Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce
- Irving Economic Development Partnership
- Lubbock Economic Development Alliance
- McKinney Economic Development Corporation
- The Borderplex Alliance (El Paso)
The United Kingdom, France and Germany are key trade partners with Texas and are among the top countries for foreign direct investment projects in the Lone Star State. Shared industry strengths include aerospace and aviation, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, information technology and more. For more on Texas' economic relationship with these markets, download each of the country profiles:
Upcoming Events
Business Beyond the Battlefield Conference I October 5-7, 2022
Hosted by the UTA Veterans Business Outreach Center, the Business Beyond the Battlefield Conference 2022 is a three-day business-to-business educational conference, networking event and small business showcase for military connected entrepreneurs, collaborative resource partners, military influencers and decision-makers dedicated to growing the U.S. economy by empowering the military connected entrepreneur community.
Governor's Small Business Series - South Padre Island: Honoring Women-Owned Businesses I October 6, 2022
The Governor’s Small Business Series - South Padre Island will connect women-owned businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs with the resources and information needed to start, strengthen and grow their business in Texas. This event is an opportunity to network with other business owners and meet experts who can share timely, relevant, actionable advice on a multitude of small business topics. We are honored to have the First Lady of Texas, Cecilia Abbott, join us for this one-of-a-kind event, along with an exceptional lineup of local, regional and statewide experts.
Governor's Small Business Series - Kerrville I October 27, 2022
The Governor’s Small Business Series - Kerrville will connect small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs with the resources and information needed to start, strengthen and grow a business. The event is an opportunity to network with other business owners and meet experts who can share timely, relevant, 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 ranks #5 among the hardest-working states in the nation, according to a study by WalletHub.
- Texas cities dominate the list of top 10 real estate markets in the U.S., according to WalletHub: Frisco (#1), Allen (#2), McKinney (#3), Austin (#4), Denton (#8) and Richardson (#10).
- Institutions among The University of Texas System are among the most innovative universities in the world, ranking #3 for the most patents granted in 2021 by the National Academy of Inventors' and Intellectual Property Owners Association.
- Texas is home to 31 National Blue Ribbon Schools in 2022, more than any other state in the nation.
- Texas is again recognized for our ability to align private- & public-sector investment in physical facility and infrastructure projects, ranking #1 on Site Selection Magazine’s Global Groundwork Index.
 Interested in working with the best state economic development team in the country? The Office of the Governor is hiring! There are multiple positions for experienced professionals in Business & Community Development, Tourism, Economic Development Finance 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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