< Previous6 TEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE INDUSTRY PROFILES 104 Energy Long revered as the energy capital of the world, the Lone Star State’s all-of-the-above energy strategy powers the future. 109 CenterPoint Energy Profi le Businesses and homes benefi t from CenterPoint Energy’s electrifying force in Texas communities. 112 Advanced Manufacturing Where tomorrow’s technologies are brought to life. 116 Aerospace, Aviation and Defense From the Lone Star State to the stars themselves, Texas’ aerospace industry launches into the next era of space exploration. 118 Bio Tech and Life Sciences A new life sciences hub is emerging in Dallas. 124 Agriculture Raytheon Technologies and Kimberly Clark are two of the many companies driving advanced manufacturing forward in Texas. 130 Technology Texas universities are providing a pipeline of resources and talent for industries associated with AI. 134 Logistics Newmark Dallas Senior Managing Director Susan Arledge sheds light on the state’s expanding logistics ecosystem. 141 Semiconductor A well-oiled network of programs, incentives and talent propels Texas to the frontlines of semiconductor innovation. 146 Creative Industries Artistic endeavors, including fi lm, music, TV and more, fi nd the support they need to succeed in Texas. 122 INVESTMENT PROFILE: Round Rock, Texas 116 112 124 1468 TEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE LIFE IN TEXAS 150 Sports and Recreation From business to playing ball, teams across Texas compete to win. 154 Quality of Life Why life in Texas is unlike anywhere else. 160 Photo Gallery Wanderers are wanted here. 168 Index to Advertisers 150 150 154 16010 TEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE The publishers believe that the information contained in this publication is accurate. However, the in formation is not war ranted, and neither Conway Data, nor Texas Economic Development Corporation, assumes any liability or responsibility for actual, consequential or incidental damages re sulting from inaccurate or erroneous information. PHONE: (770) 446-6996 • FAX: (770) 263-8825 • TOLL FREE: (800) 554-5686 email: editor@conway.com web: siteselection.com/cc/texas Texas Economic Development Guide is published by Conway Data, Inc. 6625 The Corners Parkway, Suite 200, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 USA. PRINTED IN USA. ©2024 Conway Data Inc. DIGITAL EDITION TAKE THIS GUIDE WITH YOU ENJOY Read the digital edition on your tablet or phone. Click on links within articles for even more information. SHARE Share the magazine on social media with your friends and community. LINK Feature the magazine on your blog, website or newsletters with a link or one of our easy-to-use tools. siteselection.com/cc/texas Publisher/Director LAURA LYNE Executive Vice President RONALD J. STARNER Editor in Chief ADAM BRUNS Editor Emeritus MARK AREND Senior Editor GARY DAUGHTERS Associate Editor ALEXIS ELMORE Assistant Custom Content EditorLINDSAY LOPP Art DirectorNEGIN MOMTAZ Production Coordinator/Designer BOB GRAVLEE Lead Designers SEAN SCANTLAND RICHARD NENOFF Designer ASHLEIGH PORTER Data Services Manager KAREN MEDERNACH Senior Research Associate BRIAN ESPINOZA Research Associate McKENZIE WRIGHT GLOBAL SALES & MARKETING Vice President of Sales CHARLES FITZGIBBON Regional Director — Northeast U.S. MIKE GLENNON Regional Director — Midwest U.S. CATHY McFARLAND Regional Director — Southeast U.S. MICHELE RABALAIS Regional Director — Western U.S. PAUL NEWMAN Regional Director — U.S. MARGARET ROSE EuropeBRENDAN DOHERTY, +44 7999 786752 Japan HIROKO MINATO, +81 50 8882 3456 Korea CHUL LEE, +82 2 466 5595 Sales Development Representative MARTA RUSSELL Sales Administrator CHRISTI STANSBERRY BUSINESS DEPARTMENT Chief Financial Officer DEBBIE PORTER Accounting Associate DAVIS WILSON CIRCULATION Circulation Manager JULIE CLARKE DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY TEAM Director of Programming & Analytics DANIEL BOYER IT CoordinatorMARK BERTRAME ver wonder what keeps Texas growing and humming as the eighth-largest economy in the world? Is it the fact that Texas annually leads the nation in job creation, corporate facility projects, new energy investments, and workforce growth? Is it the fact that Texas leads the nation by having 55 Fortune 500 headquarters, more than 90 Fortune 1000 headquarters, more than 1,740 foreign-owned companies, and some 3.2 million small businesses? Is it the fact that Site Selection magazine in November 2023 named Texas How a state that frequently finishes first keeps its competitive edge. by RON STARNER 14 TEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE COVER STORY ‘Together,We Are Building a Bigger, Better Texas’ Texas captured its 12th straight Governor’s Cup win from Site Selection magazine this year. Here, Governor Greg Abbott celebrates the national first- place ranking with communities, companies and legislators from around Texas. Photo courtesy of the Office of Texas Governor Greg AbbottTEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE 15 the winner of the publication’s annual Top Business Climate Ranking? Or is it something else? Is it the call to the wide-open spaces and the Western lifestyle of the great outdoors? Is it that innate yearning to be free? Is it that famous Texas swagger? The root cause of Texas’ unwavering growth may be debated, but one thing that is not up for debate at all is the fact that Texas will never make any apologies for finishing first. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said as much when he announced that the Lone Star State had once again led the nation in annual job growth. From his office at the State Capitol in Austin, Abbott noted that, from December 2022 to December 2023, Texas added 326,700 nonfarm jobs to payrolls statewide, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). “It is no surprise that Texas begins the new year as the nation’s leader in job creation, again adding more jobs over the last 12 months than any other state,” the governor said. “Texas offers innovative entrepreneurs and job creators the freedom to succeed and hardworking Texans the tools to prosper. But we cannot be complacent. To continue to lead the nation — and the world — we must safeguard the promise of Texas. That is why we continue to invest more in our schools, our skilled workforce, and our already robust infrastructure to further expand economic opportunity for all Texans. I look forward to working with our state’s business leaders and unrivaled workforce in the years ahead as we continue to build a bigger, better Texas for generations to come.” The news came even as Texas celebrated other milestone achievements. Other BLS data released in January showed that Texas had reached new highs for total jobs, the number of Texans working, and the size of the Texas labor force. Governor Abbott has long contended that his state’s workforce is the biggest reason why the Lone Star State annually claims the grand prize of economic development: the Site Selection Governor’s Cup award for registering the most corporate facility investment projects in the nation. On March 1, Texas won this prestigious honor for a record 12th year in a row from Site Selection, the Atlanta-based business publication that has been tracking all corporate real estate activity nationwide for the past four decades. Upon learning of the honor, Abbott told Site Selection Editor Emeritus Mark Arend that he credited the hardworking people of Texas for producing this achievement. “Thanks to the unmatched productivity of our young, skilled, diverse and growing workforce, Texas is the eighth-largest economy in the world,” he said. “We have also experienced faster Waco Bridge Photo by Pierce Ingram/Courtesy of Travel TexasNext >