Texas Economic Development Corporation

Texas Tout Tuesday: Why Businesses Keep Betting on the Lone Star State

Texas isn’t just business-friendly, it’s business-rewarding. From startups to large-scale projects, our state offers a robust portfolio of incentives to help companies grow, innovate, and compete globally.

Here’s a snapshot of what’s available in Texas:

- Skills Development Fund – Customized workforce training grants to help businesses upskill current employees or train new talent in partnership with community colleges and technical schools.

- Sales & Property Tax Incentives – Sales tax exemptions on qualifying equipment and property tax abatements (via Chapter 380/381 agreements) help reduce operational costs.

- R&D Tax Credits – Research-focused companies can receive sales tax exemptions or franchise tax credits tied to qualified research activities.

- Infrastructure & Site Incentives – Local communities can offer site development support, utility improvements, and other infrastructure investments to support business expansion.

- Federal & Strategic Industry Programs – Texas connects businesses with initiatives like the CHIPS Office and clean energy incentives that unlock federal funding.

- Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) – One of the nation’s largest deal-closing funds, offering cash grants to companies expanding or relocating to Texas that create jobs and attract capital.

Whether you’re growing locally, relocating operations, or launching something entirely new, Texas offers tools to help you scale smarter and faster. Let’s keep building the economy that makes Texas Texas!

Bigger. Better. Texas.

For a complete list of programs and incentives: https://lnkd.in/gJeQnZ_H

Read more: https://lnkd.in/gd4Fc-VA

Asia x Austin Summit in Austin, Texas!

Texas continues to strengthen its position as a global hub for innovation and international collaboration.

At the 2026 Asia x Austin Summit, an official South by Southwest event hosted by the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce, leaders and interested parties from across the U.S. and Asia convened to explore the expanding two-way opportunities between Asia and Central Texas.

Aaron Demerson, President & CEO of the Texas Economic Development Corporation, participated on a panel moderated by Michael Hawton, Partner/Chief Strategy Officer at Headwater, alongside Dori Kelley, Economic Development Leader, Mike Kamerlander, CEcD, President & CEO, Hays Caldwell Economic Development Partnership, and Dave Porter, Executive Director, Williamson County Economic Development Partnership, where they discussed the Texas and Central Texas competitive advantage and its continued momentum in attracting international investment. The summit also featured remarks from Nhat M Ho, Founder and CEO, Boot Civil, LLC.

Events like this highlight the importance of international partnerships in driving long-term economic growth across Texas.

Thank you to Mark Duval, President & CEO, and the entire team for convening such a forward-looking and impactful summit.

McAllen Economic Development Corporation, Proud TxEDC Investor, announces Valeo is investing $225 million in a new advanced manufacturing facility in McAllen, bringing approximately 500 high-skill, high-wage jobs to the Rio Grande Valley.

Aaron Demerson, President & CEO, brought remarks on behalf of Governor Greg Abbott, the TxEDC Board of Directors, and Adriana Cruz, Executive Director, Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office, for this major announcement and investment in our state.

This project is more than an expansion; it’s a signal.

Global manufacturers are choosing Texas for the same reasons:
- A skilled, growing workforce
- Strategic access to domestic and international markets
- Regional partnerships that execute at speed

This announcement brought together leaders across the region including: Jeffrey Shay, President & CEO of Valeo North America, Elizabeth Suarez, President & CEO, McAllen Chamber of Commerce & McAllen Economic Development Corporation, Mayor Javier Villalobos, City Manager Isaac Tawil, Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez, Ralph Garcia, Chief Operating Officer, McAllen Economic Development Corporation, Joaquin S., Founder and President of CIL Group (Cil Commodities Integrated Logistics), David Deanda, Vice Chair of TxEDC Board, President, Lone Star National Bank, Executives from General Motors, and many more. This reflects strong collaboration among industry, local communities, and economic development partners.

Projects like this don’t happen by chance. They happen where alignment exists between policy, talent, and infrastructure.

Yesterday's announcement is a prime example of bringing together the worlds of workforce, economic development, and education, coupled with elected leadership.

From the Rio Grande Valley to the global stage, Texas continues to build momentum in advanced manufacturing and next-generation mobility.
Way to go, McAllen!

Bigger. Better. Texas.

Read more about this MAJOR announcement here:
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The future of economic development is being shaped across Texas, and the MXLAN International Economic Summit in McAllen showcased exactly that!

Held at the McAllen Convention Center and hosted by Proud TxEDC Investor McAllen Economic Development Corporation and the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, this year’s summit focused on technology, innovation, and the future of economic development, highlighting AI, workforce development, and binational collaboration.

The day opened with remarks from Elizabeth Suarez, President & CEO of the McAllen Economic Development Corporation and the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, emphasizing the Rio Grande Valley’s growing role in innovation and cross-border growth.

A key moment featured President & CEO Aaron Demerson, with the recently won Governors Cup front and center at the event, alongside Alberto Trevino III, Commissioner Representing Labor, discussing how Texas is aligning economic development, workforce strategy, education, infrastructure, and innovation to remain competitive.

Panels throughout the morning offered real-world insights into AI’s impact across industries:

- Advanced Manufacturing & Workforce Education — Moderated by Sergio Contreras (CEO, ATLAS, HALL & RODRIGUEZ, LLP), featuring insights from Bob Anderson (VP of Supply Chain, ALPS ALPINE), Patrick Cerroni (Senior Director of Operations, Vertiv), Erika Guerra (Program Chair, Advanced Manufacturing & Robotics, South Texas College), and Anshul Sonak (Principal Engineer & Global Head of Digital Readiness Programs, Intel)

- Workforce Development — Joanne Wang, EdD (Associate Dean, Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships, and Associate Professor of the Practice of Engineering Management, Vanderbilt University) shared key insights on preparing talent for the future

- Healthcare Innovation & AI Integration — Moderated by Julian Alvarez (SVP of Business Development, Lone Star National Bank), with perspectives from Dr. Maame Yaa "Maya" A. B. Yiadom (Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Stanford University), Carlos A. Rodriguez, M.B.A. (Co-Founder & CEO, HUMANATE Inc.), Lance Ames (CEO, South Texas Health System), and Kyle Hayungs (Founder & CEO, MRG Health / SmartCare 360)

The summit concluded with a keynote from John Quiñones, ABC News Veteran Creator & Host of What Would You Do?, who challenged attendees to consider ethics, trust, and accountability in an AI-driven economy.

Congrats to McAllen Economic Development Corporation and the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, we’re proud to be part of these important conversations and working alongside partners to ensure Texas remains the No. 1 state for innovation, talent, and economic growth.

Check out more photos from the event here: https://lnkd.in/gQDtuNRN