News & Resources

Why Young Families are Moving to Midland

Monday, September 30, 2019

Young families are moving to Midland, Texas in large numbers. Some are returning home after having attended college and started their careers in other states. Others are headed to Midland for the first time to take advantage of the many career opportunities that can be found here. When it comes to Midland, there are unlimited opportunities for people who wish to build a future for themselves and for their children. 5 Reasons Young Families are Moving to Midland When speaking with young professionals and young families, several of Midland’s benefits stand out. #1 Midland has high-paying jobs and companies offer upward mobility. People mak...

Midland Has the Best Entrepreneurial Contest in Texas & Startups are Thriving

Monday, September 16, 2019

The Midland Entrepreneurial Challenge (MEC) is launching companies and diversifying Midland’s economy. Midland has a strong entrepreneurial culture, with more startups than Silicon Valley. The creative and enterprising spirit of the people, combined with the presence of large corporations and local support, has created this thriving ecosystem. Still, the Midland Development Corporation (MDC), Mayor Jerry Morales and the UTPB Small Business Development Center (SBDC) wanted to further diversify an economy heavily reliant upon the oil and gas industry. Supporting homegrown businesses was a natural choice. When the SBDC presented the idea of an entrepreneurial challenge, the MDC board enthusiastically supporte...

New Park to Create a Big City Vibe in Midland

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Midland, Texas has a big city attitude in a small package. Locals will tell you that there’s a vibrancy to Midland that feels like a big city. It’s a place where entrepreneurs can launch a company and see it become successful quickly, where young professionals are starting careers and climbing the corporate ladder, and where business is booming. In a town like this, there need to be big city amenities to complement the hustle and drive of Midland’s citizens. Fortunately, there are. Midland is already home to cultural amenities like the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center, Marion Blakemore Planetarium, and th...

In Focus: Last-Mile Distribution Drives Industrial Demand in Secondary Markets

Tuesday, August 06, 2019

Retailers are rethinking their supply chain management and locating closer to the end customer to meet their lightning-fast delivery expectations. Today’s consumers make more purchases online than ever before, and popular merchandise is no longer only small household items and clothing. E-commerce has evolved to include big purchases like furniture, refrigerators, mattresses, and even cars. The challenge is that consumers, accustomed to lightning-fast delivery, still expect to receive these bulkier items in one or two days. To meet those expectations, retailers are rethinking their supply chain management and locating closer to the end customer, which is driving industrial demand in secondar...

Growing Markets Positioned for Corporate Location Success

Monday, August 05, 2019

Corporate site location projects begin with understanding which regional markets are growing and will provide a long-term pool of skilled workers and a successful economy attractive to the company and its supply chain. Houston and New Orleans today are not thought of as economic competitors. Dial back the time machine to 1950 and you would see a different story. These two cities were running neck-and-neck based upon population and competition for economic success in the New South. Both cities had nearly 600,000 residents and were competing to attract energy and banking investments on a global scale. Both were connected to th...

People Analytics Helps Define the Search for Skilled Labor

Sunday, August 04, 2019

The analysis of human capital flows across markets and regions measures how, why, and where talent and skill clusters are creating and supporting sustainable market strength. Gross domestic product (GDP) measures raw economic activity and has been used as a leading indicator of the growth and performance of an economy for the last 70 years. In a digital and globally interconnected world, GDP is not a complete picture of economic indicators of progress or predictive growth from market to market. The architect of GDP, Simon Kuznets, recognized the limitations of GDP. The Economist (2016) reported that GDP uses a statistical framework tha...

Best & Worst States to Start a Business

Saturday, August 03, 2019

Starting a business is never easy. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, about a fifth of all startups typically don’t survive past year one of operation, and nearly half never make it to their fifth anniversary. But startups fail for different reasons, a “bad location” among the most common. Choosing the right state for a business is therefore crucial to its success. A state that provides the ideal conditions for business creation — access to cash, skilled workers and affordable office space, for instance — can help new ventures not only take off but also thrive. In this study, WalletHub compared th...

Governor Abbott Appoints Daniel To Texas Workforce Commission

Friday, August 02, 2019

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Bryan Daniel to the Texas Workforce Commission for a term set to expire on February 1, 2025. The commission is charged with overseeing and providing workforce development services to employers and job seekers in Texas. Bryan Daniel of Georgetown is the executive director of the Office of the Governor Economic Development Division, and previously served as the chief administrator for the Texas Department of Agriculture Trade and Business Development Division. Daniel received a Bachelor of Science in agricultural communications and a Master of Science in agricultural education from Texas Tech University. Read full article.

Texas tops the U.S. for real estate development spending and jobs

Thursday, August 01, 2019

For the second year in a row, Texas topped the nation in real estate development activity in 2018. With almost $26 billion in direct spending on real estate projects, the Texas building sector contributed more than $62 billion to the state's economy last year, according to a report from the NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association. The development sector supported more than 400,000 jobs in the state last year, the industry trade group said in its annual economic impact report. Read full article.

Historic Low: Texas Unemployment Rate Continues to Fall to 3.4 Percent

Saturday, July 20, 2019

Economy Adds 45,000 Jobs in June AUSTIN – In June, the Texas economy added 45,000 seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm positions. After shattering the all-time low in May of 2019, the unemployment rate fell again to 3.4 percent. This new record is currently the lowest the unemployment rate has been since series tracking began in 1976. “June’s unemployment rate is a historic win for employers and workers across the state,” said TWC Chair and Commissioner Representing Employers Ruth R. Hughs. “It is a reflection of our excellent businesses, skilled workforce and the hard work of every Texan.” Texas employers added 315,600 jobs over th...

Midland, TX is Growing in a Sustainable Way

Tuesday, July 02, 2019

Midland, Texas is breaking records for job creation and overall growth, fueled by the oil and gas industry and accelerated by start-ups and supporting businesses. City leaders, business owners, executives and entrepreneurs are leveraging growth in the energy sector to diversify Midland’s economy and encourage new enterprises. These efforts are paying off as jobs are being created in construction, hospitality, transportation, retail and healthcare, in addition to the oil and gas industry. According to the Houston Chronicle, Midland is crushing the nation in job growth, stating, “Midland led the nation in job growth, with employment in the West Texas county surgin...

Texas tops the U.S. for real estate development spending and jobs

Sunday, June 30, 2019

Texas Ranked No. 1 in Global Service in the State and No. 11 in the U.S.

Thursday, June 27, 2019

The University of Texas at Austin has numerous outstanding rankings, so it should come as no surprise that among its many accolades is a ranking that recognizes the Longhorn spirit of service. UT Austin continues to be the No. 1 top-producing university of Peace Corps volunteers in Texas and was recognized this year as No. 11 in the country among large colleges and universities, reflecting the university’s commitment to public service and effecting positive change in the community, state, the nation and world. For most Longhorns, the university’s motto is a call to action, and more than 1,840 alumni have served as Peac...

The History of Texas’ Startup Ecosystem

Monday, June 17, 2019

Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of UT’s Austin Technology Incubator Austin’s status as an entrepreneurial hotbed is undeniable. A 2018 study from the Chamber of Commerce found that startups make up a larger percentage of businesses in Austin than in nearly any other major U.S. metropolitan area. Although the startup culture that exists in Austin today seems relatively new, its foundation was laid decades ago and has been maintained ever since by the Austin Technology Incubator (ATI). ATI is the deep technology incubator of The University of Texas at Austin that works with university and community entrepreneurs to commercialize breakthrough innovations. It helps entrepreneurs and startup...

Rural Entrepreneurship in Texas Gets Boost from UT Austin Research Projects

Saturday, June 15, 2019

To help support entrepreneurs and small-business owners — key drivers of prosperity in rural Texas — the IC² Institute at The University of Texas at Austin is funding new research on entrepreneurship in rural and small city environments. UT Austin researchers funded by the institute will look at a range of ways to promote economic development including tracking regional entrepreneurship, promoting rural innovation networks and building economic resilience in areas where employment fluctuates with the cycles of the energy industry. Read full article.

Apprenticeships Are Key to Building a Workforce for the Future

Monday, June 10, 2019

Apprenticeships are powerful economic development tools, with long-term commitment and collaboration among key players including chambers of commerce, economic development groups, business and industry leaders, public schools and community colleges. Apprenticeships are an important tool for recruiting and retaining talent, especially as jobs become more technical and specialized. Through apprenticeships, companies can ensure they have a steady supply of highly qualified employees, with all the skills they need to do increasingly advanced jobs. With a focus on advanced manufacturing and automation, apprenticeships are also an excellent way to stay current on the new technologies that give companies a competitive edge i...

Location Notebook: Texas Builds on Its Strengths and Confronts Its Challenges

Monday, June 03, 2019

Population growth, a favorable tax climate, and a business-friendly environment are among the factors fueling economic gains and drawing corporate investment to Texas. The size and steady growth of the Texas economy makes it enviable to many of its state peers. If it were a country, Texas would have the 10th-largest economy in the world, ahead of Spain, Russia, and Mexico, among others. The state has been the largest exporter in the U.S. for 17 consecutive years, and it shipped $315 billion worth of goods in 2018. Unsurprisingly, each year Texas finishes near or at the top of various rankings of the bes...

Texas Adds 28,900 Jobs in April: Unemployment Rate Falls to 3.7 Percent, Returning to All-Time Record Low Last Held in Late 2018

Saturday, June 01, 2019

AUSTIN - Growth in the Texas economy continued in April, with 28,900 seasonally adjusted nonfarm positions added over the month. Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell once more to 3.7 percent, returning to an all-time record low last held in December of 2018. April marked the 108th consecutive month of annual growth for total nonfarm employment. “Our state’s ongoing success is linked to the innovation and competitiveness of employers in a range of industries providing Texans more opportunities to demonstrate their world-class skills,” said TWC Chair and Commissioner Representing Employers Ruth R. Hughs. “In fact, Chief Executive Magazine has named Texas th...

TEXAS RANKED BEST STATE FOR BUSINESS FOR 15TH STRAIGHT YEAR

Friday, May 31, 2019

The Lone Star State tops Chief Executive's 15th annual Best and Worst States for Business survey. Texas secured the No. 1 spot on Chief Executive’s Best and Worst State for Business survey. Texas achieved the top spot each year since the ranking's inception. The rankings reflect CEO perceptions of best and worst states for business based on a range of key measures. The Lone Star State's dominance in this ranking is thanks to its hospitable business climate, top-notch workforce and high quality of life. Texas was followed once again by Florida at No. 2, while North Carolina fell to No. 4, replaced by Tennesse...

TEXAS RANKED BEST STATE FOR BUSINESS FOR 15TH STRAIGHT YEAR

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Jessica Rule, Owner of SHK The Advertising Firm, on Young Professional Opportunities in Midland

Thursday, May 09, 2019

“As Midland has grown it’s been exciting to see how advertising has played a role in growing local businesses who previously never marketed their products or services but relied on word of mouth. We are getting a lot of new people coming to town so there is a need for local companies to tap into this new market through creative advertising,” said Jessica Rule. She should know. As the owner of SHK The Advertising Firm, Rule has a front row seat in the changes taking place in Midland and the opportunities this presents for established companies, startups and young professional...

Tech Jobs

Wednesday, May 08, 2019

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) has released its annual Cyberstates report, providing a detailed look at trends in technology employment. It’s a great way to check how Texas is faring relative to other states in a key component of future growth. CompTIA uses a measure of technology employment that includes technology workers across the entire economy. By this measure, the US total reached an estimated 11.8 million in 2018, up 2.3% from 2017. Since 2010, national tech employment rose by 18.8%. Read full article.

Texas labor force tops 14 million as monthly job growth continues

Wednesday, May 01, 2019

Texas marked its 107th consecutive month of job gains in March, according to data released by the state's workforce commission. The state added 22,600 jobs in March, up from the 17,700 it added in February. Much of the state's job growth was driven by the private sector in March, though it continues to grow at a slower rate than in the past. Read full article.

Workforce Automation: Scary Threat or Major Opportunity?

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Despite dire predictions that robots and automation will displace workers, studies predict automation and robotics will actually create more — but different — jobs than they displace. You might have read about the “Second Machine Age,” in which automated technologies perform more and more work that humans have been doing — and machines become competitors rather than helpers. Some people talk about the “Fourth Industrial Revolution” and the disruptions that it will bring. Inevitably, such discussion stokes fears that a lot of people will see their livelihoods dry up as machines take over their work. Read full article.

What Does Sustainability Mean in 2019?

Monday, April 29, 2019

Although sustainability in the built environment is still important, fewer projects are seeking certifications, while wellness features/amenities are becoming more mainstream. For the third year in a row, our construction management firm has conducted a survey among our clients and partners to determine what the real estate community truly thinks about sustainability in the built environment. Our survey measures everything from the expected ROI of sustainability, wellness, and resilience planning to which third-party rating systems have the most market impact. We find it a fascinating glimpse into how our clients perceive, value, and interpret the myriad factors that impact sustainability in the buil...

Solar energy keeps oil flowing in Texas

Sunday, April 28, 2019

Enough panels to light up Dallas by ’22 Texas, home to the world's largest oil reserve and America's biggest source of coal-fired power, is on the verge of a clean-energy boom. Wind already supplies about 15 percent of Texas' electricity, enough to meet the state's quota for renewable energy. And developers are about to quadruple the state's solar capacity, adding enough panels by 2022 to light up all of Dallas. They won't just power homes. Solar developers are responding to demand from oil and gas drillers, whose booming operations are gobbling up electricity and pushing prices to spikes above $1,000 a megawatt-hour. Texas isn'...

Technology Employment Expands its Presence in the Texas Workforce

Saturday, April 27, 2019

17,000-plus new jobs in 2018 coupled with growing economic impact, according to CompTIA Cyberstates 2019™ report AUSTIN, Texas -- Technology-related employment in Texas grew by more than 17,800 new jobs in 2018 and the tech sector increased its contribution to the state's economy, according to Cyberstates 2019™, the definitive guide to tech sector and tech workforce analytics published annually by CompTIA, the leading technology industry association. Net tech employment grew by an estimated 17,855 jobs in 2018.1 Since 2010 net tech employment has grown by more than 170,000 new jobs. With nearly 983,000 workers, tech accounts for approximately 7.5 percent of the Texasworkforce. The tech sector has an estimated direc...

AST and Science announces successful launch of its first satellite

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

AST and Science has announced that its first satellite, designated BlueWalker 1, has been successfully launched, stabilized in orbit and is ready for operations. The BlueWalker 1 nano-satellite was launched into orbit on a PSLV-C45 launch vehicle from the Datish Dhawan Space Center in India April 1. The satellite is functioning satisfactorily and is ready to move into full operation. BlueWalker 1 is flying in a stable low-Earth orbit (LEO) at an altitude of about 500 miles. It will serve as a testbed for AST and Science patented technologies in space over the next several years. Click here for the complete article.

Midland Entrepreneurial Challenge

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

The Midland Entrepreneurial Challenge, which will be overseen by America’s Small Business Development Council at UT Permian Basin (SBDC), is designed to assist entrepreneurs in expanding an existing business or starting a new one. Each participant will gain a better understanding of how to develop and follow a realistic business plan and model for a growing business. This undoubtedly will have a positive economic impact for Midland. By attending the mandatory orientation that the SBDC will present, entrepreneurs and business owners who are interested in applying will better understand the requirements of the competition. Participants will be able to attend multiple seminar...

The Sky’s The Limit In The Lone Star State

Wednesday, August 02, 2017

Author: Business Facilities If Texas was a country, it would have the tenth-largest economy among nations. A business-friendly climate—TX, which has no corporate or personal income taxes, is the top-ranked state for Best Business Climate in our 2017 Rankings Report—as well as a highly skilled workforce, easy access to global markets and robust infrastructure has attracted the headquarters of 50 Fortune 500 companies to the Lone Star State. For Gov. Greg Abbott, one of the biggest selling points for Texas is what the governor likes to call “economic liberty.” In an exclusive interview with BF, Abbott defined his governing philosophy for stimulating economic development. “Economic liberty is wh...

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