Fast-changing economic conditions within our increasingly global marketplace pose new challenges and opportunities for local governments. Texas economic development leaders are constantly looking for creative ways to revamp their local economies, attract new industry and development and provide high-paying jobs for their citizens.
As your strategic partner for local government management, the Comptroller’s office is pleased to offer this issue of Texas Rising, which is packed with information and resources on crucial economic development topics.
In this issue, we highlight innovative approaches that Texas communities have used to diversify their local economies. We examine how Lubbock, traditionally Texas’ cotton king, partnered with education and business leaders to transform the former Reese Air Force Base into a vital technology center providing 700 new jobs in emerging fields ranging from cryogenics to medical devices. We look at how Kilgore, historically an oil and gas leader in the state, created a unique public-private partnership and developed a cutting-edge industrial center that has attracted $75 million in investment and provided more than 400 jobs for area residents.
We also share creative strategies your community can follow to revamp your economy, spotlight the ways our office can help you and provide tools to take your economic development efforts to the next level.
When it comes to economic development, creating jobs and generating new levels of prosperity, local governments in Texas are focused on rising to the occasion every time.
Susan Combs