Economic Development Home Page
The Economic Development and Tourism division of the Governor’s Office markets Texas globally as the premier business location and travel destination. It develops strategies to generate leads and inquiries which over time can be developed into business recruitment prospects, export opportunities and tourism – thereby creating jobs and wealth for Texans.
This division is comprised of the following specific focus areas that work together to strengthen the Texas economy.
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TEXAS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT is charged with domestic and international business recruitment and corporate expansion efforts for the state by marketing Texas as a premier business location. The Texas Business Development team is comprised of the following three areas:
- Domestic Expansion and Recruitment serves as the primary point of contact for companies looking to expand existing operations in Texas or relocate a business from out of state.
- International Business and Recruitment continues to assist Texas companies seeking to expand into foreign markets and encourage foreign investment in Texas.
- Business Research provides support with economic and demographic data, analyses and information on industries and communities. The extensive databases and research tools provide accurate and timely information on doing business in Texas – strengthening the state’s ability to recruit and attract business.
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THE OFFICE OF AEROSPACE AND AVIATION focuses on maintaining Texas’ leadership position by developing business strategies to promote the retention, development and expansion of the aerospace and aviation facilities in Texas. In addition, the program also provides technical support and expertise to state and local spaceport authorities and promotes the development of spaceports in Texas.
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THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BANK provides flexible funding and oversight of several finance and tax incentive programs. The incentive programs target three key audiences which include Texas businesses, Texas communities and Texas lending institutions. The Economic Development Bank programs include finance programs, Enterprise programs and Small Business Assistance.
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SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE works to establish the State of Texas as the place to start and grow small businesses, by identifying and isolating legal and financial barriers for small, medium, and historically underutilized businesses (HUB’s), assisting small and medium enterprises with expansion programs, policies and directives, and developing strategies and outlooks for small business development throughout the state.
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TEXAS TOURISM promotes Texas domestically and internationally as a premier tourist destination to generate tourism revenues and jobs for Texas communities. Texas Tourism consists of Advertising, Public Relations and Travel Research divisions.
- Advertising oversees the award winning ad campaigns promoting Texas as the premier travel destination through national and international advertising. This includes consumer and trade publications, national cable television, radio, newspaper, the Internet and the TravelTex.com website.
- Public Relations works with the travel trade industry and media throughout the United States and top international markets including Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Asia, Latin America and France.
- Travel Research provides and analyzes information about domestic and international travel trends. Travel research also provides tourism outreach services to assist Texas communities with their economic development tourism.
