In This Issue
Texas’ Grand Canyon
TEXpansion: Lufkin powers up with biomass plant
Partnership helps Burnet resort fly
How to promote the great outdoors
Partnering for Impact: Links to recreation grant programs
Texas named best for business
Web Exclusive
TEXpansion
Businesses and industries are expanding their operations and building new facilities throughout Texas. Here is a sampling of recently announced expansions, tracked by the Office of the Governor, Economic Development and Tourism Division.
| City | Business Name | Type of Business | Type of Project | New Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Arthur | Valero | Owns and operates oil refineries and retail and branded wholesale outlets. | Company will invest $2.4 billion in the Port Arthur Refinery, adding 2,000 construction jobs. The expansion, to be completed in 2011, will increase production from 325,000 to 405,000 barrels per day. | 2,000 |
| El Paso | El Paso Electric | Generates and distributes electricity to approximately 344,000 customers in the Rio Grande Valley and southern New Mexico. | The $217 million addition to the Newman Power Generating Station will create construction jobs. Facility will be fully operational in May 2011 and will provide electricity to power about 200,000 homes. | 200 |
| Lufkin | Aspen Power LLC | Power and telecommunication sales with offices in Denver, Colo. and Phoenix, Ariz. | Company will build $100 million renewable energy plant on a 67-acre tract in North Lufkin. Aspen Power and its affiliate, Angelina Fuels LLC, anticipate employing 160 people. | 160 |
| Waco | Caterpillar | Makes construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, and industrial gas turbines. | New 750,000-square-foot distribution center will pursue a “green” designation; will be completed next year. | 140-180 |
| Marble Falls | Lowe’s | Operates more than 1,575 home improvement stores in the United States and Canada. | 94,000-square-foot store is under construction and represents a $12 million investment in the community. | Up to 120 |
| Fort Worth | Health Care Service Corp. | Fourth-largest health insurer in the United States. |
Construction has begun on $232.5 million, 250,000-square-foot data center, which will handle expected growth in members and services. | 100 |
| Bryan | Texas A&M University | Research-intensive flagship university. | New Texas A&M Health Science Center campus will be built on a $6 million, 200-acre tract donated to the A&M system by the city of Bryan. | N/A |
Sources: Office of the Governor, Economic Development and Tourism Division; Texas A&M University’s Real Estate Center.
For more information, visit the Office of the Governor, Economic Development and Tourism Division or Texas A&M University’s Real Estate Center.
Texas State Parks: Natural Economic Assets
A new report by the Comptroller’s office provides an in-depth look at the economic benefits of Texas state parks.
The report, Texas State Parks: Natural Economic Assets, examines the economic impact of state parks. Each county with a state park averages almost $3 million in retail sales, $1.5 million in resident income and 59 jobs attributable to park visitors.
Rural state parks provide the counties in which they are located approximately 90 jobs out of every 10,000, attributable to park-related expenditures. Out-of-state visitors to Texas parks contribute $15.7 million in gross state product, $7.9 million in personal income and 288 new jobs to the Texas economy each year.
In researching the report, Comptroller staff visited state parks around the state, talked with local economic development and tourism officials, studied retail sales and other data and pored over recent economic analyses. The report demonstrates the favorable impact that the state parks have on the Texas economy and the positive returns the state receives on its financial investments to operate, maintain and preserve these parks.
View the report at www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/parks/ or call the Comptroller’s office at (800) 531-5441, ext. 5-0332, to request a free copy.
Tell Us Your Story!
E-mail us at texas.rising@cpa.state.tx.us.
We want to hear about your town’s economic development accomplishments. Whether you’ve landed a new employer or you’ve partnered with a university to train tomorrow’s work force, please tell us the unique solutions you’re using to create success in your community every day.