Roger Feagley, Woody Woodward, Bekki Roberts, Tommy Tucker, Sharon Cook, Terry Preuninger & Scott Martinez

Terry Preuninger and Sharon Cook sponsored a booth for eleven communities at the recent PLASTEC West show in Anaheim. Participating Economic Development organizations included Athens, Balch Springs, Belton, Bridgeport, Crockett, Hutto, Mexia, Midland, Seagoville, Sherman and Sulphur Springs. There was a significant increase in attendees from the previous year. Our team made twenty-three solid contacts with twelve quality leads

William Myers, Bridgeport EDC

 to follow-up.

February 16, 2011

Texas has been ranked the top exporting state in 2010 for the ninth year in a row, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce, signaling Texas’ ongoing role in leading the nation toward economic recovery.

Texas’ exports in 2010 totaled more than $206.6 billion, up 26.7 percent from $162.9 billion in 2009, outperforming overall U.S. exports, which grew by 20.9 percent in 2010. The state’s top export recipients were Mexico, Canada, China, Brazil and South Korea, which respectively imported $72.3 billion, $18.6 billion, $10.2 billion, $7.1 billion and $6.4 billion in Texas-manufactured goods. Additionally, Texas’ top exporting industries in 2010 were computers and electronics, chemicals, petroleum and coal, machinery, and transportation equipment.

Read the full release here or for additional statistics

Excerpts below from the North Texas Commission webinar with Bud Weinstein, Ph.D., Cox School of Business, SMU.

Throughout the economic downturn, Texas has faired better than the remainder of the U.S. with its unemployment rate. Even though the rate’s pattern in Texas has somewhat followed that of the U.S. the margin between Texas’ rate and that of the U.S. have grown wider indicating Texas’ ability to better weather the current conditions.

Forecasters believe Texas will continue to outperform the U.S. over the next two years as it has in the past per HIS Global Insight, a well recognized forecasting firm. Austin is projected to lead the Texas market at 2.5% growth and Dallas-Fort Worth growing jobs at 2.2% in 2011. The chart  indicates the forecasted growth in jobs over the next five years for the States with the highest and lowest percentages.

Texas has not been immune to the slide in home sales and construction starts. The sector continues to be weak although the Texas housing market has not experienced the large drop in values seen in other metropolitan areas with Texas having a 3.1% year over year reduction in values as recorded in October 2010.

Click here to view the 30 minute webinar.