< Previoushile the West Texas’ economy has diversified far beyond farming, its deep agricultural roots demonstrate the region’s longstanding ability to grow business.Home to Texas Tech and West Texas A&M University, Lubbock is a hub for health care, while the cities of Amarillo, Abilene, Midland, Odessa, Wichita Falls and San Angelo are hubs of manufacturing, food processing and aviation. The North American Borderplex encompasses the cities of El Paso, Texas, Las Cruces, New Mexico, and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. The Borderplex is home to the world’s largest bilingual workforce and is the seventh largest manufacturing hub in North America. Located in the Permian Basin, West Texas has long been an energy driver for the state. In June 2018, NextEra Energy Resources partnered with AT&T Inc. to deliver 300 MW of wind power to the telecom giant, bringing its contracted capacity to 820 MW. The energy will come from NextEra’s two new wind parks in Wilbarger and Hardeman counties. The additional capacity is estimated to be enough to WW E S T T E X A Sby SAVANNAH KINGGrowing in West TexasPhoto by Carmyn Suzor84 T E X A S E C O N O MI C DE V E L O P M E N T G U I DET E X A S E C O N O MI C DE V E L O P M E N T G U I DE 85meet demand for more than 372,000 households annually. Superior Pipe Product will invest $24 million in Lubbock over the next few years. The manufacturer of pipe products will create 71 high-skill jobs.“We evaluated several locations in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma,” said Jason Current, executive vice president for Superior Pipe Products. “Our requirements included being centrally located for distribution, a strong workforce and most importantly a stable growth-minded community where we can flourish. LEDA (Lubbock Economic Development Alliance) has been helpful every step of the way, and Superior Pipe Products LLC looks forward to building our new facility in Lubbock.”Several other recent investments in the region showcase its appeal for business. Blue Origin has the world’s only privately owned and operated launch site in West Texas, 120 miles east of El Paso. The company, founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, uses the site for its New Shepard launches. New Shepard is a reusable launch vehicle that takes payloads to space. The technology promises to lower launch costs and create opportunities for commercial space travel. Irish electronic manufacturer Eaton Corp. announced it would build a new facility in West El Paso and create 200 jobs over several years. The company chose the El Paso location to make its switchboard and motor-control components for the proximity to its manufacturing plant across the Mexico border in Juarez. AbileneMSA population: 173,655 Workforce population: 68,900 Higher education: Abilene Christian University, Texas State Technical CollegeMajor employers: AbiMar Foods, Broadwind Towers, Coca-Cola, Eagle Aviation Services, First Financial Bankshares, Tige Boats Industry clusters: Food Processing, Manufacturing, DefenseAmarilloMSA population: 279,720 Workforce population: 122,000 Higher education: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center-AmarilloMajor employers: Bell Helicopter, Cargill, Gestamp Renewable Industries, MWI-Micro Beef, Owens Corning, Pantex, Tyson Foods Industry clusters: Food Processing, Manufacturing, Agribusiness, EducationEl PasoMSA population: 923,936 Workforce population: 321,900 Higher education: El Paso Community College District, The University of Texas at El PasoMajor employers: Delphi Packard Electric, ECM International, GECU, Helen of Troy, Mesilla Valley Transportation, Toro Industry clusters: Manufacturing, Transportation & LogisticsSan AngeloMSA population: 115,722 Workforce population: 48,900 Higher education: Angelo State University, Howard County Junior College DistrictMajor employers: Ethicon, Hirschfeld Industries, Lone Star Beef Processing, Performance Financial Industry clusters: Manufacturing, Food ProcessingMidland MSA population: 159,947 Workforce population: 89,300 Higher education: Midland CollegeMajor employers: Anthem Oil & Gas, Apache Corp., Baker Hughes Companies, Chevron, Concho Resources, Diamondback Energy, Hilliard, Halliburton Energy Services, Leo Labs Industry clusters: Energy, Manufacturing, Financial ServicesOdessaMSA population: 154,975 Workforce population: 70,700 Higher education: Odessa College, The University of Texas of the Permian BasinMajor employers: Bobby Cox Companies, Halliburton, Investment Corporation of America, Keane Group, Saulsbury Companies, Telvista, Weatherford Industry clusters: Energy, ManufacturingLubbockMSA population: 319,499 Workforce population: 148,100 Higher education: South Plains College, Texas Tech University, West Texas A&M UniversityMajor employers: Convergys, Land O’Lakes Purina Mills Inc., PlainsCapital Bank, Suddenlink Communications, Tyco Fire Protection Products, X-Fab Industry clusters: Food Processing, Manufacturing, Information Systems & TechnologyWichita FallsMSA population: 154,105 Workforce population: 58,000 Higher education: Midwestern State University, Vernon College Major employers: Arconic, Pratt & Whitney, Sealed Air Industry clusters: Aerospace and Aviation, Manufacturing, Health CareWE S T T E X A SWe know Texas works to help businesses work – from sound tax and regulatory policies, to an educated labor force, to cost of living and quality of life. Texas is business friendly, and for over seven decades, it’s been a good place for Hunt Companies to call home.”– Woody Hunt, Senior Chairman of the Board, Hunt Companies Inc., El Paso88 T E X A S E C O N O MI C DE V E L O P M E N T G U I DEn a state the size of Texas, each region offers its own unique advantages. East Texas is no exception. With three MSAs — Longview, Texarkana and Tyler — and the 12-county Texas Forest Country region, East Texas offers businesses a wealth of opportunity. Known for its manufacturing, distribution and food-processing operations, several massive industrial sites and cutting-edge biomedical research parks have opened the region to new and diverse industries. United States Steel Corporation is restarting an idled mill in Lone Star. The mill will manufacture electric-welded pipe for customers across the U.S., including those in the Permian Basin. The Lone Star No. 1 Mill will produce 400,000 tons annually and expects to hire 140 employees. Hiland Dairy Foods is doubling the size of its facility in Tyler and will create more than 80 jobs. The company operates four of its 15 plants in Texas. The Tyler facility’s expansion represents an investment of $45 million. Sterling Lumber Company LLC has opened its newest TerraLam Cross-Laminated Timber mat manufacturing facility in Lufkin. The facility will create 150 jobs and over $30 million in capital investment. “A hardworking and family-run company like Sterling requires a workforce with the same values, and that is exactly what the Lufkin community will provide,” said Gov. Greg Abbott. “I thank Sterling for their commitment to Texas and the people of Lufkin, and I look forward to building on this already successful partnership.” by SAVANNAH KINGIE A S T T E X A SEast Texas: Land of Advantage Photo by Shay La’VeeE AS T T E X ASLongviewPopulation: 238,562 Workforce population: 98,000 Higher education: Kilgore College, LeTourneau University Major employers: Dana Corporation, Eastman Chemical, Komatsu, Trinity Rail Industry clusters: Manufacturing, TransportationTexarkanaPopulation: 94,579 Workforce population: 60,600 Higher education: Texarkana College, Texas A&M University-TexarkanaMajor employers: AECOM/URS, Cooper Tire & Rubber, Domtar, International Paper Company, Red River Army Depot, Southern Refrigerated Transport Industry clusters: Food Processing, ManufacturingTexas Forest CountryPopulation: 384,196 Workforce population: 158,745 Higher education: Angelina College, Stephen F. Austin State UniversityMajor employers: Aramark, Atkinson Candy, Cal-Tex, Etech Global Services, Georgia Pacific, GE/Lufkin Industries, Parker Hannifin, Pilgrim’s Pride Industry clusters: Business Services, Food Products, Manufacturing, Wood Products12 county region includes: Angelina, Houston, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity and Tyler countiesTylerPopulation: 235,940 Workforce population: 106,900 Higher education: The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler Junior CollegeMajor employers: Delek Refining, John Soules Food, Kent Water Sports, Trane, Tyler Pipe Company Industry clusters: Manufacturing, Transportation, Health Care, RosesIt is very exciting to announce a signifi cant expansion of Sterling’s manufacturing capacity in Lufkin and the Lone Star State. I can’t think of a better place to continue our stated mission of supporting our colleagues, communities, customers and company.”— Carter Sterling, CEO, Sterling, LufkinT E X A S E C O N O MI C DE V E L O P M E N T G U I DE 90 T E X A S E C O N O MI C DE V E L O P M E N T G U I DEhe sparkling blue waters along the Texas Gulf Coast are just one of the many advantages to locating in the region. From Houston to College Station, the region’s business climate is just as active and vibrant as its coastal lifestyle. Industries like energy, health care, aerospace and information technology thrive thanks to the region’s highly skilled workforce, infrastructure and transportation system. The fourth largest metro economy in the U.S., Houston is home to 20 Fortune 500 companies, the world’s largest medical complex. Petrochemical manufacturing is also growing in the region and reshaping global markets. So far, more than $60 billion in petrochemical investments have been made in Greater Houston and promises to support thousands of jobs over the coming years. Sentinel Midstream has selected the region for its new Texas GulfLink deepwater crude oil export terminal in Freeport. The facility will include an onshore terminal that can store up to 18 million barrels and an offshore pipeline with projected export loading rates of up to 85,000 barrels an hour. The region is a hotbed of innovation and has attracted investors from around the globe. For example, Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corp. for Transport & Urban Development invested $300 million to build a bullet train in Texas. The high-speed train would allow riders to travel to and from Dallas to Houston in less than 90 minutes. Several other major companies have recently invested in the region.DowDuPont is investing approximately $100 million over the next year to expand its manufacturing capacity at its Sabine River Works plant in Orange County. The expansion will allow the company to support customer growth in its packaging and specialty plastics and its transportation and advanced TG U LF C O A STby SAVANNAH KINGGulf Coast: Where Lifestyle and Opportunity MeetPhoto: Getty ImagesCenterPoint is strategically investing in new infrastructure, the latest technologies and a dynamic workforce to serve the future energy needs of our customers in the Houston region and across Texas.”– Scott Prochazka, President and CEO, CenterPoint Energy, Inc.polymers business. German-based polymer manufacturer Covestro invested $1.7 billion in a plant in Baytown. The new plant will primarily serve the company’s North American customers when it begins operations in 2024. U.S. Silica expanded its sand mine and processing plant in Kosse. The $8-million investment is located near some of the country’s largest fracking operations.“More than ever, our future is being built in Texas, where the expanding oil and gas industry is increasing demand for our products and creating more jobs for Texans,” said U.S. Silica President and CEO Bryan Shinn. “Meeting that growing demand is part of the reason we are increasing our production across the state and expanding capacity in places like Kosse where we have more than three decades of history.” Beaumont-Port ArthurPopulation: 436,385 Workforce population: 163,400 Higher education: Lamar UniversityMajor employers: ENGlobal Corporation, ExxonMobil, Goodyear Tire & Rubber, Motiva Enterprises, Valero Re ning Group Industry clusters: Petroleum & Chemical Manufacturing, Manufacturing, TransportationCollege Station-BryanPopulation: 267,480 Workforce population: 119,600 Higher education: Blinn College, The Texas A&M UniversityMajor employers: Axis Pipe and Tube, FujiFilm Diosynth Biotechnology Texas, iBio, Sanderson Farms, Wayfair Industry clusters: Manufacturing, Information Systems & Technology, EducationHouston-The Woodlands-Sugar LandPopulation: 7,086,277 Workforce population: 3,052,200Higher education: Alvin Community College, Brazosport College, College of the Mainland Community College District, Houston Community College System, Lee College, Lone Star College System District, Rice University, San Jacinto College, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Texas Southern University, University of Houston, Wharton County Junior CollegeMajor employers: Anadarko Energy, Apache, Baker Hughes, BASF Chemical, Bayer Corporation, Benchmark Electronics, BMC Software, BP, Broadcom, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Dow Chemical, ExxonMobil, Fluor Corp, Foxconn Corporation, GE Oil & Gas, Halliburton, Hilcorp Energy, Imperial Sugar, Lockheed Martin, National Oilwell Varco, Occidental, Phillips 66, Schlumberger, Shell Chemical, Transocean, United AirlinesIndustry clusters: Energy, Life Sciences, Information Technology, Manufacturing, Aerospace and Aviation, Financial Services, Transportation & LogisticsGU LF C O A STNext >