In This Issue
- Texas Rising October/November
(PDF 4.6M) - Plannin’ Behind Fishin’
- Taking Flight
Ecotourism, state parks bring in dollars - From Comptroller
Susan Combs - TEXpansion/
Special Reports - Lighting Up Longview
Balloon race helps local economy soar - Partnering for Impact:
State Funding adds muscle to leisure facilities - Inside Track to the Great Outdoors
Texas sporting goods retailers equip the masses - Buying Sporting Goods Helps Fund State Parks
Sporting goods sales benefit attractions
Rural Business Success is No Fluke - Save Energy for Schoolwork
SECO grants save money with efficiency - Strength in Numbers
Galveston seeks partners to pool resources
Web Exclusive
- Vacation Survey Results
Did the economic situation influence summer vacation plans?
denotes expanded or Web-exclusive content.
TEXpansion
Businesses and industries are expanding their operations and building new facilities throughout Texas. Here is a sampling of recently announced expansions.
| City | Business Name | Type of Business | Type of Expansion/Type of Job | Number of New Employees/Incentives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pflugerville | RRE Austin Solar LLC | Solar power plant developer | Plans are to construct a $240 million 60-megawatt solar power farm on 600 acres about 15 miles east of Pflugerville. | 400 construction jobs, 5 permanent. |
| Austin | Data Foundry Inc. | Austin-based data center operator | Began construction of a $150 million, 250,000- square-foot Data Ranch. The first 130,000 square feet of the project are scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2011. | Up to 150 jobs |
| Raymondville | Duke Energy | Utility company | Announced plans to build a $400 million, 150-turbine wind farm in Willacy County, with long-range plans for as many as 250 turbines. The farm would generate 250 megawatts. | 7-10 permanent jobs, 140 construction jobs. Willacy County approved a 70 percent average tax abatement over 10 years. |
| Ennis | Sysco | Food distributor | The Houston-based company plans to build an $80 million, 1 million-square-foot redistribution facility on 255 acres bought from the city. | 300 jobs initially, up to 800 total |
| Carrollton | Vendor Resource Management | Real estate services firm | Is expanding its work force | Will create 275 jobs under terms of a $750,000 Texas Enterprise Fund grant |
| Victoria | Caterpillar Inc. | Engine and heavy equipment manufacturer | Broke ground on a 600,000-square-foot manufacturing facility that will triple the current capacity of hydraulic excavators produced by the company in the U.S. | 238 jobs to fulfill the requirements of a $1.175 million Texas Enterprise Fund grant, but could total 500 |
For more information, visit the Office of the Governor Economic Development and Tourism Division or Texas A&M University’s Real Estate Center.
Comptroller’s Reports Take Stock of the Texas Economy
With a state economy that would put it among the world’s 12 largest, Texas has a unique place in the United States. The Texas Comptroller’s office examines issues that affect Texas and Texans to help lawmakers, and business and economic development leaders make the best decisions for our state. The Comptroller’s newest and upcoming reports include:
- the Financial Allocation Study for Texas (public education)
- An Analysis of Texas Economic Development Incentives
- and health care.
Find the full text of each report as it is published, and past reports, on the Comptroller’s publications website at www.cpapubs.org and sign up there for e-mail alerts when new reports are available online.
Tell Us Your Story!
E-mail us at texas.rising@cpa.state.tx.us.
We want to hear about your town’s economic development accomplishments. Whether you’ve landed a new employer or partnered with a university to train tomorrow’s work force, please tell us the unique solutions you’re using to create success in your community every day.