Texas ‘ pro-business approach continues to receive national recognition, and Area Development Magazine is the latest organizationto take notice by naming Texas the top stateto do business in their third annual  “Top States for Doing Business Survey.”  The award is given to the state that most exemplifies industrial competitiveness related to its business environment, labor climate, infrastructure and global access and economy.

“I am very proud of the work state leaders have accomplished to make Texas the best place in the nation to live, work, raise a family and start a business,” Gov. Perry said. “As a state, we will remain committed to upholding the pillars to our success, including low taxes, restrained spending, reasonable regulations and a fair legal system, all of which have made Texas the best state in the nation to live, work, raise a family and start a business.”

 To view the full report, please visit: www.areadevelopment.com/top-states

 The substantial efforts taken to create our state’s business and jobs-friendly climate have made Texas one of the nation’s top job creators, generating more than 550,000 new jobs between July 2009 and July 2012. Over the last decade, Texas has generated nearly 1.4 million new jobs – more than three times the number of any other state – kept unemployment below the national average, and has seen growth in a wide variety of job sectors like energy, information technology and biotechnology, making it a nationally recognized economic leader.

AUSTIN – Area Development Magazine has added its voice to the chorus of national publications praising Texas’ low taxes, predictable regulations, fair legal system and skilled workforce, awarding the Lone Star State its 7th Annual Gold Shovel award. Texas has been recognized each year since the magazine began the awards, receiving the Gold Shovel in 2008, and Silver Shovels in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Read Governor’s Press Release here

 Read Area Develpment Article here

 The Texas unemployment rate dipped below the 7 percent level for the first time since March 2009  as reported by the Texas Workforce Commission.

The Texas Workforce Commission announced this morning that the state unemployment rate has dipped to 6.9 percent and is now at the lowest level in three years.  

Texas added 13,200 jobs in April with 12,200 of them being added in the private sector while government added a only 1,000 jobs.   The biggest gains were in construction, adding 7,300 jobs and manufacturing adding 6,300 jobs to the economy.  

Today’s jobs report gives evidence once again to Texas being a state that is well established in economic recovery.  The state’s jobless rate is more than a point lower than the 8.1 percent national rate.