Texas Named Top State in the Nation Again for Job Creation
Site Selection Magazine Awards Prestigious 2005 Governor’s Cup to Texas

HOUSTON – Gov. Rick Perry today announced that Site Selection magazine, the world’s foremost publication for business expansion and relocation, has again awarded the annual Governor’s Cup to Texas for securing the most job creation announcements in the nation for 2005.

This is the second consecutive year that Texas has won the award.  It also won in 1992, when it shared the award with North Carolina, and in 1978, 1980, 1981 and 1982.  This year’s win brings a record seven wins to Texas, more than any other state.

 “It has been 23 years since the last time Texas won the Governor’s Cup two years in a row.  Today, we have defended our title and Texas is once again the number one state in America for job creation announcements,” Perry said.  “The good news we are reporting today is this: No state has been more successful in making good jobs available to its workforce.”

The Governor’s Cup rankings are determined by tracking the number of business expansion projects in a state that involve a capital investment of at least $1 million, create 50 jobs or more or involve 20,000 square feet of new floor space.  Texas secured 842 such projects in 2005 – a 26 percent increase from the previous year. Ohio, which placed second in the rankings, had 598 projects.  Last year, Texas won the award with 668 job expansion projects.

“Winning the Governor’s Cup two years in a row is powerful evidence that Texas is on the right track to a prosperous future.  We have made wise decisions by keeping taxes low, investing in an educated workforce, limiting lawsuit abuse and aggressively pursuing jobs,” Perry said.  “Our coordinated strategy to educate out-of-state employers about Texas’ excellent business climate is working.  And it is proof that our unprecedented investments in job creation tools are paying real dividends for the people of this state.”

In 2004, Site Selection called the $295 million Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) a tool that is “central to Texas’ ability to lure projects” whose role “cannot be overstated.”  This year, the magazine noted that several Enterprise Fund projects were important for Texas’ success, including expansions by Tyson Foods in Sherman, T-Mobile in Frisco, Hilmar Cheese in the Panhandle, and Washington Mutual’s decision to bring 4,200 jobs to San Antonio, which was the largest job creation project in America for 2005. 

To date, the Enterprise Fund has helped close the deal on projects that will bring 37,000 new jobs to Texas and add $6.7 billion in capital investments to our economy. 

Site Selection magazine editor Mark Arend said, “Texas’ repeat claim to the Governor’s Cup is evidence that economic development strategies for creating a healthy business climate in the state are working.”  

Additionally, the magazine cited two Texas metropolitan areas among the strongest in the nation for job growth. The Dallas-Forth Worth area was ranked second nationally and the Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown area ranked third.