TexasOne Economic Summit
Director Burnett is pictured with Governor Rick Perry in photo to the left.
Jennette Burnett, Executive Director for Commerce Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) attended the TexasOne Economic Summit in Dallas on November 4th.
The summit focused on current and future economic development trends in Texas. The meeting featured keynote speaker Governor Rick Perry.
“Texas has become a powerful force on the business front.” - Texas Governor – Rick Perry
The Summit provided a great opportunity to interact with directors and staff from the State Economic Development office as well as developing networking relationships with ED Directors from other Texas cities.
The Texas Summit also provided an opportunity to meet with site selection specialists and executives of major corporations. Interaction with these individuals creates an opportunity to gain valuable insight into the economic development processes. This is one of the great examples of the benefit of Commerce Economic Development Corporation being part of Governor Perry’s TexasOne Program.
The Luncheon was sponsored by Team Texas. Team Texas is fifty-five member team comprised of economic development professionals and business leaders from across the Lone Star State that market and promotes the State of Texas as a location for new business investment. Team Texas provides professional site selection assistance, information on available sites and buildings, details on incentive financing, access to Texas’ $380 million job creation fund, and data on Texas’ nationally ranked business climate. Commerce Economic Development Corporation is the newest member appointed to Team Texas.
Governor Rick Perry told nearly 200 folks gathered at Union Station for the Texas Economic Development Summit, that less government results in fewer hurdles for businesses. Perry said. “Bottom line: The word’s out on Texas. The word is good.” Despite the effects of the global economic crisis, we have a pretty good story to tell here in Texas, and we’re telling it at the right time as employers in other states and countries look for better economic conditions. Governor Perry stated that he was not trying to minimize the impact of the world’s economic struggles, because there are people across this country and in our state, who are trying to figure out how to find a job. However, he does think we should spend less time wringing our hands, and more time creating new jobs. He went on to say, that’s why he is optimistic about our state’s prospects, and he is willing to tell anyone who will listen, that the land of opportunity still exists. There is a place where jobs are welcome, where taxes are low, regulations are predictable and frivolous lawsuits are a rare occurrence. That place is Texas and we are all proud to sing her praises. We’re proud to talk about a state where government leaders have embraced the principles of cutting spending, investing in job creation, and strengthening our school system, to groom the workforce of the future. At the same time, we have been willing to invest resources where appropriate, creating jobs with the Texas Enterprise Fund as well as leveraging the Emerging Technology Fund, to foster new, potentially profitable technologies.
The climate of innovation here in Texas has been attracting employers who are being chased out of other states, and giving them a chance to excel with a lot less government interference. When they get here, they’re finding that our doors and our arms are wide open to welcome them, and our high-tech workforce is getting stronger by the day. Governor Perry stated that it is his goal to make sure it keeps getting stronger.
Just recently, Governor Perry announced an initiative to double the size of the education programs that teach high schoolers the STEM disciplines; this includes science, technology, engineering and math. He said that we need our young people to be world-class in these subjects, so our workforce are equipped with the skills that employers increasingly seek in the high tech economy.
Governor Perry said, “Granted, we have our share of challenges, because nobody is immune, to some of the toughest economic conditions we have seen. However, this year, we have also seen companies head to Texas, bringing with them jobs, investments, and hope for tomorrow.”
Governor Perry closed by thanking the TexasOne members and friends across the state for the role played in getting jobs to our state. “You are the ones who are out there beating the bushes, singing our state’s praises, and inviting companies to take a long look at Texas. The work you do does make a difference, because every job you bring to Texas represents a family getting a paycheck and that is a very worthy cause. In the months to come, let’s continue to fight the good fight, and keep up our efforts to spread the good word, and keep bringing jobs to Texas. God bless you, through you, may He continue to bless the great state of Texas.”