Japan-based Kubota Tractor Corp. is moving its U.S. headquarters from Torrance to Grapevine, Texas, outside of Dallas. About 180 employees will leave its headquarters, at 3401 Del Amo Blvd.

Kubota officials cited a friendly business climate, and the central location that Texas has to offer. Plus, it already has operations in Fort Worth.

Though 180 employees doesn’t make a huge commercial real estate dent, this is the continuation of a disturbing trend of firms moving from Southern California to Texas. Toyota Motor Corp. announced last year it is moving 3,000 jobs from Torrance to the Dallas area, as is Los Angeles coffee roaster Farmer Bros. Co.

What does this say about the business climate in the Los Angeles area, and what can be done to keep businesses here?