California Executives Meet with TX Economic Development Leaders

California business executives recently met with Texas economic development leaders in San Francisco to discuss the advantages of relocating to and expanding in the Lone Star State, said Robert Allen, president and CEO of the Texas Economic Development Corporation (TxEDC). These California company representatives were interested in discussing Texas business opportunities, according to Allen.

Sydney Loyed, TxEDC; Helen Ramirez, Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation; Elizabeth Huff, city of Sugar Land; Matt Prochaska, Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation; Diana Velazquez, Irving Economic Development Partnership; Sean Attwood, Greater SATX; Adriana Cruz, Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism; Chris Strayer, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce; Gerri Lawing, Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative; and Allen were among the Texas delegation.

“We’ve seen a wave of relocations to and expansions in Texas by California businesses like Toyota Motor North America and McKesson,” Allen said. “These CEOs will tell you the advantages of operating in Texas have allowed them to be more competitive because of our lower tax burden, a lower cost of doing business, our business-friendly climate and reasonable regulatory environment. This is what we shared with the business executives we met on this trip.”

Allen said the positive response he and other Texas economic development officials received from California business leaders “was exciting and gratifying. We’re proud to be able to offer a business climate in Texas that CEOs believe will allow them to grow and be successful. This group of Texas economic development professionals also demonstrated the big welcome and support Texas extends to new members of our business community.”