< Previous94 TEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE GULF COAST Stretching across 12,300 square miles along the Gulf of Mexico, the Texas Gulf Coast is a vibrant economic powerhouse where industries flourish and trade flows seamlessly. Anchored by Houston, the largest city in the region, the area is propelled by a dynamic economy driven by energy, logistics and space exploration. Houston, often hailed as the “Energy Capital of the World,” serves as the epicenter of the region’s energy sector. Major oil and gas giants like ExxonMobil, Chevron and ConocoPhillips call the city home, along with an extensive network of refineries and petrochemical plants. Houston’s leadership in energy production, particularly in natural gas, fuels local growth and drives global trade, solidifying the city’s position as a key player in the international energy market. The Gulf Coast’s strategic location along key global shipping lanes makes it a vital hub for international trade. The Port of Houston stands as one of the busiest ports in the United States, handling over 260 million tons of cargo in 2023 alone. With robust trade connections spanning Latin America, Europe and Asia, the Port plays an essential role in the global supply chain, contributing more than $439 billion in value and nearly 20% of Texas’ GDP in 2022. But the Gulf Coast’s influence doesn’t stop at the water’s edge — it reaches far into the cosmos. Houston’s role in space exploration is anchored by NASA’s Johnson Space Center, the heart of U.S. human spaceflight. Since its inception in the 1960s, Johnson Space Center has overseen pivotal missions, including the Apollo moon landings and the Space Shuttle program. Today, it remains at the forefront of space innovation, supporting NASA’s Artemis program, which seeks to return astronauts to the moon and ultimately send them to Mars. The region is also home to private space pioneers like SpaceX, reinforcing the Gulf Coast’s role as a hub for space technology and exploration. Gatlin’s BBQ, Houston. Photo courtesy of Travel Texas96 TEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE HIGH PLAINS Welcome to the High Plains, where the endless horizon meets boundless opportunity. Stretching across 42,100 square miles and bordered by New Mexico and Oklahoma, this expansive region is home to some of Texas’ most breathtaking landscapes, including the towering Palo Duro Canyon and the meandering Prairie Dog Town Fork Red River. But while the natural beauty is certainly a draw, it’s the thriving business landscape that’s quickly putting the High Plains on the map. Nestled in the heart of the Texas Panhandle, the High Plains strikes a perfect balance between small- town charm and big-city potential, offering peace and prosperity in equal measure. For generations, agriculture has been the heartbeat of the High Plains, with fertile soil and wide- open spaces ideal for crops like cotton and wheat. Cattle ranching continues to be a staple industry, but the region is evolving, adding a new crop to its portfolio — wind energy. Thanks to vast, open landscapes and a steady breeze, wind farms have sprouted across the area, with over 2,000 turbines generating power. This growing sector is not only boosting the local economy but is also playing a key role in the country’s shift toward renewable energy, bringing with it job creation and long-term sustainability. Wind energy is only the beginning of the region’s involvement in emerging industries. In May 2023, global semiconductor giant X-Fab made waves by investing $200 million to expand its Lubbock facility, boosting production of silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors. These high- demand components are crucial for industries like automotive, health care and consumer products. The expansion is set to generate 250 new jobs and was further supported in December 2024 when the U.S. Department of Commerce, under the CHIPS and Science Act, announced up to $50 million in funding to bolster SiC production, creating another 150 jobs in the process. With agriculture, wind energy and cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing on the rise, the High Plains is fast becoming a powerhouse of innovation and growth, positioning itself as a leader in the nation’s future — a future driven by both local progress and sustainable development. The second largest canyon in the country, Palo Duro Canyon is in the heart of the Texas Panhandle. Photo courtesy of Travel Texas98 TEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE HIGH PLAINS WEST TEXAS SOUTH TEXAS CENTRAL TEXAS METROPLEX GULF COAST UPPER RIO GRANDE NORTHWEST TEXAS UPPER EAST TEXAS SOUTHEAST TEXASTEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE 99 METROPLEX From the Oklahoma border to the Brazos River, this vibrant region, spanning across Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington and beyond, boasts a population of over 8 million people, making it one of Texas’ largest and most eclectic hubs. It’s a place where big ideas are born, from tech innovations to world-class health care, with every corner offering an opportunity to grow. In Dallas, the financial sector has long been in the spotlight, with everything from the Dallas Federal Reserve to major Fortune 500 companies boasting a prominent presence. But lately, it’s the tech scene that’s stealing the show. With global players like Cisco, Texas Instruments and AT&T leading the charge, Dallas and Richardson have earned the title “Silicon Prairie,” where innovation is fueled by a steady stream of startups, incubators and entrepreneurs. The region’s booming tech sector is supported by a talent pool fresh from local universities like The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), Southern Methodist University (SMU) and The University of Texas at Arlington. Graduates remain anchored in the region as the Metroplex offers an enticing proposition, including employment opportunities, a vibrant arts and cultural scene, and lower cost of living compared to places like Silicon Valley. The health care sector is also making a serious splash in the Metroplex. With major providers like Baylor Scott & White Health and Texas Health Resources expanding rapidly, the region is solidifying its status as a medical mecca. Baylor Scott & White has been particularly busy, adding new hospitals, clinics and specialty care centers to meet the needs of its ever-growing population. Backed by the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, one of the nation’s top medical institutions, the Metroplex continues to churn out health care professionals and cutting- edge research that’s making waves nationwide. And let’s not forget the region’s logistics prowess. The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world, is a critical hub for air travel and cargo, alongside Hillwood’s massive AllianceTexas development in Tarrant and Denton counties. Dallas skyline Photo: Getty Images100 TEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE WEST TEXAS West Texas is thriving and evolving, harnessing its natural resources and expansive landscapes to fuel a diverse and dynamic economy. Cities like Midland, Odessa and San Angelo, along with surrounding communities, are not only capitalizing on the region’s traditional strengths but also embracing emerging industries, positioning West Texas for a prosperous and sustainable future. The region’s semi-arid climate and vast open spaces have long supported a thriving agricultural sector, from cattle ranching to cotton farming and pecan production. Outdoor industries like forestry, fishing and hunting continue to add vitality to the economy, attracting tourists and residents alike, and ensuring economic resilience for years to come. While energy has long been the backbone of West Texas, the region is expanding into new sectors of this evolving industry. The Permian Basin remains one of the world’s most productive oil fields, driving significant crude oil and natural gas output. Yet, at the same time, West Texas is emerging as a hub for renewable energy. The growing investments in solar and wind power are transforming the region into a key player in the energy evolution sector. In 2024, West Texas achieved a remarkable milestone in solar energy, surpassing 15 GW of installed solar capacity. High-profile projects like the Roadrunner Solar Farm in Upton County and the Prospero Solar Project in Andrews County are leading the charge, making Texas a national leader in renewable energy production. Beyond energy, West Texas is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for data centers, which require vast amounts of power and space. With its abundance of land and access to renewable energy, the region offers an ideal environment for these facilities. The dry climate further reduces operational costs, while proximity to diverse energy sources makes West Texas an ideal location for sustainable, high-tech infrastructure. Oil refinery in Seminole Photo: Getty ImagesTEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE 101 NORTHWEST TEXAS Northwest Texas is experiencing a wave of economic transformation. While the region has long relied on oil, gas and mining, it’s now diversifying with a focus on aerospace, engineering and emerging technologies that are driving growth across multiple industries. In Wichita Falls, aerospace manufacturing is becoming a cornerstone of the local economy. With major players like Pratt & Whitney and Howmet Aerospace establishing operations in the area, the city is rapidly evolving into a key hub for aerospace technology and manufacturing. The region’s expertise is enhanced by the presence of Midwestern State University (MSU), which offers specialized programs in engineering and aerospace to nurture a skilled workforce. MSU Texas has recently introduced new degree programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, aimed at supporting the energy industry and regional demand. The university’s new Master of Science in Industrial Technology program is designed to support the local manufacturing sector, particularly personnel at Sheppard Air Force Base. Meanwhile, Abilene is witnessing an exciting surge in the technology sector, notably with the launch of one of the largest artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure projects in history. During President Donald Trump’s Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure press conference, Abilene was selected as the launch site for Project Stargate, a $500 billion initiative to develop AI infrastructure nationwide. The first phase, with an investment of $100 billion, will begin in Abilene, with major partners like Oracle, OpenAI, SoftBank, Microsoft, NVIDIA and Arm backing the project. This initiative promises to bring both significant investment and a wave of talent to the region, further positioning Abilene as a leader in emerging technologies. Together, these developments in Wichita Falls and Abilene are helping to redefine the economic landscape of Northwest Texas, ensuring a bright future driven by innovation and cutting-edge industries. Wichita Falls Photo: Getty ImagesNext >