News & Resources

2018’s Fastest-Growing Cities in America (Midland #2!)

Tuesday, October 09, 2018

Experts might not agree on the “best” or the “right” recipe for rapid economic growth, but some cities know the key ingredients for long-term prosperity better than others. Patterns emerge within those cities, allowing us to identify what factors contribute to a lasting cycle of growth. The South currently seems to be an attractive place to move, as the U.S. Census Bureau reports eight of the 15 cities with the largest population gains in 2017 were located in this region. Some cities thrive even through hard economic times while others struggle. To determine where the fastest local economic growth has occurred...
Top 10 states that are winning the war for talent

Friday, August 31, 2018

America is facing an unprecedented jobs crisis that is also different from anything government record keepers have seen before. This time it is not the jobs that are in short supply; it is the workers. Employers posted a record 6.7 million job openings as of the end of April, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But the same agency says only about 6.1 million people are unemployed, meaning that for the first time since the government began compiling data on job openings in 2000, there are more openings than there are people to fill them. But some states are managing...
The state’s health is literally everyone’s business

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

People wait to buy health insurance with the help of City of Houston application counselors at a service center in Houston March 31, 2014. Texas leads the nation in the number of uninsured residents. Health issues generally will be the focus of an upcoming conference in San Antonio. For so many vital reasons, Texas needs to be healthy. Simply, our well-being isn’t just about feeling good today — it’s about the future of Texas. Studies show that health indicators are strongly tied to our state’s economic development, global competitiveness and security. That’s the theme to be explored at the Texas Lyceum public conference to...
Texas economy adds 27,200 positions in June

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

State has experienced 24 consecutive months of employment growth AUSTIN ? The Texas economy added 27,200 seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs in June, which marked 24 consecutive months of employment growth. Over the year, Texas added 359,500 jobs for an annual employment growth rate of 2.9 percent. Private-sector employers added 26,400 positions over the month. Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.0 percent in June, down slightly from May 2018.  “Recognition of Texas as the premier place to do business in the country is reinforced by employers adding another 27,200 jobs in June and an impressive 359,500 jobs over the year,” said TWC Chairman Andres Alcantar....
Why Texas is the top state for business in America: Gov. Greg Abbott

Friday, August 17, 2018

The Texas economy is the fastest-growing in the nation. More Texans are working than ever before as the Lone Star State leads in private-sector job creation — over the month, over the year and over the past 10 years. And jobs in Texas are now on pace for the strongest growth in four years. This is not accidental. Over the past four years in my first term as governor, we've spurred the Texas economy by cutting taxes and regulations, by investing in our roads and infrastructure and by focusing on developing a world-class workforce. Continue to full article
TEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND ACCENTURE JOIN FORCES TO PROMOTE TEXAS AS A DESTINATION FOR INNOVATION

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Austin, Texas -- The Texas Economic Development Corporation (TxEDC) and Accenture announced a partnership to position Texas as the business destination of choice for innovation. The collaboration is a three-year commitment to advance the economic vision for Texas, particularly as it relates to the role of innovation and digital technologies. “As the world and Texas rapidly change and transform in this digital age, innovation is becoming an increasingly critical indicator for economic success,” said Robert Allen, President and CEO, TxEDC. “Already home to more than 17,600 technology companies and 50 Fortune 500 headquarters, Texas is on the rise as a destination for...
TEXAS RANKED AMERICA'S TOP STATE FOR BUSINESS BY CNBC

Monday, August 13, 2018

The Lone Star State secured the top spot in CNBC's rankings after a strong year of economic growth and the addition of over 350,000 jobs Texas claimed the No. 1 spot in CNBC's annual Top States for Business ranking, thanks to its strong economy, infrastructure and talented workforce. Since CNBC introduced the ranking in 2007, Texas is the first state to clinch the No. 1 spot four times and has never finished outside the top five states. In addition to claiming the No. 1 spot, Texas also received the top score in economy and infrastructure. The Lone Star State has seen nearly...
TEXAS EARNS FIVE NO. 1 RANKINGS IN BUSINESS FACILITIES’ 2018 STATE RANKINGS REPORT

Friday, August 10, 2018

The Lone Star State was ranked among the best of the best after receiving five No. 1 rankings and 48 top-10 spots in Business Facilities’ annual State Rankings Report Texas secured the No. 1 spot in five different categories in Business Facilities’ annual State Rankings Report. In addition to receiving these top-notch scores, Texas secured 48 top-10 titles. Business Facilities’ rankings demonstrated Texas’ strength in a variety of industries and established the state’s global role in trade and investment. Among Texas’ most notable No. 1 rankings were Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) Activity. Texas’ strong ports and 32...
Midland, Texas has largest over-the-year jobs gain in September 2017 at 10.4 %

Wednesday, March 07, 2018

Author: Bureau of Labor Statistics From September 2016 to September 2017, employment increased in 283 of the 346 largest U.S. counties, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Midland, Texas, had the largest percentage increase with a gain of 10.4 percent over the year, above the national job growth rate of 1.0 percent. Within Midland, the largest employment increase occurred in natural resources and mining, which gained 4,526 jobs over the year (24.4 percent). Collier, Fla., had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment among the largest counties in the U.S., with a loss of 5.2 percent. Within Collier, construction had the...
Exxon Mobil will triple production in the Permian basin, the hottest US shale oil field, by 2025

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Author: CNBC Exxon Mobil on Tuesday said it will triple its production of oil and chemical feedstocks in one of the most productive shale basins in the United States and expand infrastructure to bring those products to market by 2025. The announcement came one day after the world's largest publicly listed oil company said it would ratchet up its U.S. investments to $50 billion over the next five years, in part due to the benefit of recent U.S. tax cuts. The Irving, Texas-based oil major said it plans to increase total daily production in the U.S. Southwest's Permian Basin by 600,000 barrels of oil equivalent, a measure...
EIA: Permian to supply 68 percent of oil production growth in February

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Author: PBOil&Gas The Permian Basin will supply more than two-thirds of February’s gain in crude oil production across seven major regions in the U.S., according to the latest Drilling Productivity Report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The U.S. is forecast to add another 111,000 barrels per day in February to reach 6.549 million barrels per day with 68 percent of the increase coming from the Permian Basin. EIA forecasts Permian production will grow by 76,000 b/d to reach 2.87 million barrels per day. The Eagle Ford will add 15,000 b/d to 1.257 million b/d. Leading the growth in gas production in February...
Susie's South Forty Confections adding jobs thanks to Midland Development Corporation

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Author: NewsWest9.com The world-famous candy company, Susie's South Forty Confections, will be adding 10 jobs over the next three years. The additional hirings are part of an investment deal the business has with the Midland Development Corporation. Susie's ships toffees, caramels, and fudges across the country and to dozens of countries. But as demand continues to increase, store representatives say they need more production equipment. Read Full Article Here
Oil and gas company, Weir, breaks ground in Midland for new facility

Thursday, November 09, 2017

Author: News West 9 Weir is finally calling Midland their home. The global oil and gas company is consolidating three of their service centers in both Odessa and Midland County into a $30 million facility.  "We bought enough land that we can expand in the future," said Weir OIl and Gas President, Paul Coppinger. "We've got the capability if we add on product lines, or we can continue to expand our busieness. We can do that on this site."   Read Full Article Here
Weir Oil & Gas expands Permian presence with new customer service center

Thursday, November 09, 2017

Author: World Oil MIDLAND, Texas - Fort Worth-based Weir Oil & Gas today broke ground on a 92,000-square foot customer service center that will be located at the David Mims Business Park on Interstate 20. The new center reflects the company's strong commitment to the Permian basin region, consolidating three existing Permian-area service center locatios into one central location.   The state-of the art, purpose-built facility is scheduled to open by 2019 and will offer pressure pumping and pressure control testing facilities, a central hub for field-service operations, office space, shop area, and a warehouse.  Read Full Article Here
MDC gives final gift to UTPB engineering program

Wednesday, October 04, 2017

Author: OA Online A partnership to bring aerospace engineering to the University of Texas of the Permian Basin was realized fully recently as President Sandra Woodley received the final gift to fund the program’s undergraduate track. In fall 2016, UTPB started a new aerospace engineering program after getting a three-year commitment from the Midland Development Corp. and the Midland City Council. The major is mechanical engineering with a focus in aerospace engineering. Read Full Article Here
MDC OKs $5M for UTPB engineering building

Sunday, October 01, 2017

Author: Midland Reporter-Telegram The Midland Development Corp. completed two big steps in its mission to improve education Monday after it voted to approve a pair of measures affecting the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. At its monthly meeting, MDC board members unanimously greenlighted contributing $5 million toward the construction of UTPB’s engineering building, which will be built near the Center for Energy and Economic Development (CEED) in the city of Midland, and for the development of a business incubator and makerspace at the CEED. The economic development group is “building the third floor” of the engineering school, which will enable UTPB to...
Texas Ranked #1 for Business by U.S. Corporate Executives

Monday, September 18, 2017

Author: BusinessinTexas.com Texas has held the top business climate ranking since 1999. Texas has the best business climate in the country, according to a new survey of U.S. corporate executives from Development Counsellors International (DCI). Florida is the runner up, followed by Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Texas, which has consistently held the No. 1 ranking since 1999, was again a favorite among survey respondents, with 42 percent naming the state as having one of the most favorable business climates. Texas was also rated as having one of the top five state economic development organizations. Conducted by DCI every three years, the “Winning Strategies...
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 why...
Top Metros 2017

Monday, March 06, 2017

Author: Site Selection Magazine Midland is #9 on Site Selection Magazine's list of metros under 200,000 that are most likely to attract corporate growth.  Read Full Article Here
Engineering building beam placed during ceremony

Monday, January 29, 2018

Author: Midland Reporter - Telegram The last critical structural piece for the University of Texas of the Permian Basin’s under-construction College of Engineering building was flown into place Monday during a “topping out” ceremony that celebrated the milestone. Attendees were invited to sign the 18-inch-by 22-foot rigging beam, painted orange to match the school’s colors, before it was placed in the southwest corner of the building-to-be. “The significance of this day goes far beyond the beam-signing and the building,” UTPB President Sandra Woodley said. “This ceremony represents a promising future for a growing university and an important addition to the longevity and success of...
Road bond campaign tops $200,000 in contributions

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Author: Midland Reporter - Telegram Midland businessman Brent Hilliard put his money where his heart was when it came to the campaign to pass a $100 million road bond this past November. Hilliard contributed more than half of the $208,473 through donations — including those made as “non-monetary contributions” from a corporation — through his company, Hilliard Office Supplies, according to campaign finance reports. Monday was the deadline for filing the final report. Hilliard had filed Midland Road Bond’s final report last week. The report showed Midland Road Bond taking in more than $110,000 in political contributions during the third reporting period of the...
Anadarko to build regional office in new Midland mixed-use development

Thursday, November 09, 2017

Author: Houston Business Journal The Woodlands-based Anadarko Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: APC) has picked out a site for its new regional office in Midland, Texas.  It will be in Westridge Commons, a new 37.5-acre mixed-use development along Andrews Highway, according to a press release from Denver-based Continuum Partners and New York-based investment firm KKR & Co. LP (NYSE: KKR). Continuum and KKR — through its real estate fund, Real Estate Partners Americas I — formed a joint venture to develop the project. Anadarko currently has about 250 employees in its Midland office at 6 Desta Drive. About 300 employees are expected to be based in the new office across town initially, per the release....
Business leaders offer input on UTPB engineering dean

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Author: OA Online Business and industry leaders in oil and gas and other stakeholders were briefed Wednesday at the CEED building on the status of the engineering program and asked for characteristics they would like to see for a College of Engineering dean at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Midland Development Corp. Chair Brent Hilliard said this is a chance to build a program from the ground up. Hilliard said he sees companies eventually competing to get interns from the program.  Read Full Article Here
GOOD NEWS: Midland Leadership helps UTPB students reach for the stars and beyond

Saturday, October 07, 2017

Author: OA Online A partnership to bring aeronautical engineering to The University of Texas of the Permian Basin was realized fully Wednesday, as President Sandra Woodley received the final gift to fund the program’s undergraduate track. Back in the fall of 2016, UTPB started the new aerospace engineering program after getting a 3-year commitment from both the Midland Development Corporation (MDC) and the Midland City Council. “Because of the generosity and forward thinking by these leaders from the community of Midland, UTPB began the process of researching and developing a concentration in aeronautical engineering with the mechanical engineering program,” said President Woodley. “We...
New UTPB engineering building soon to come

Tuesday, October 03, 2017

Author: NewsWest9.com MIDLAND, TX (KWES) - The University of Texas of the Permian Basin is moving forward with a new engineering building thanks to the Midland Development Corporation and the Midland City Council. The MDC approved an agreement this week with the university for the building's construction. They will provide up to $5 million over a five-year period to complete the building. The 80,000 sq. ft. facility will be located at the intersection of FM 1788 and HWY 191. It will include mechanical, nuclear, aerospace, petroleum, chemical and electrical engineering programs. Funds from the MDC will also help build a third floor for the CEED...
The Midland Development Corporation Approves Agreement with TxDOT for the Construction and Improvement of Three Roadway Projects

Sunday, October 01, 2017

Author: Midland Development Corporation October 2, 2017 (Midland, Texas) – The Midland Development Corporation (MDC) approved three donation agreements with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for highway safety improvement projects. The MDC will contribute a total of $7 million to assist with the timeline acceleration and completion of these three projects by TxDOT: A fixed sum of $3,000,000 to be used towards the State’s costs of constructing an overpass at the intersection of South Loop 250 and County Road 1140 in Midland. A fixed sum of $2,000,000 to be used towards the State’s cost of constructing main lanes and interchanges on system at the...
The Midland Development Corporation Approves Funding for The University of Texas at the Permian Basin New Engineering Building

Sunday, October 01, 2017

Author: Midland Development Corporation October 2, 2017 (Midland, Texas) – The Midland Development Corporation (MDC) approved an agreement with The University of Texas at the Permian Basin (UTPB) for the construction of a new engineering building and for the establishment and management of an incubator and makerspace to be located at the Center for Energy & Economic Development (CEED) building. UTPB has plans to construct an 80,000 sq. ft. facility to be located at the intersection of FM 1788 and HWY 191 to house UTPB’s mechanical, nuclear, aerospace, petroleum, chemical and electrical engineering programs. UTPB is currently pursuing program approval and accreditation in its...
City Council to approve $4 million in MDC expenditures

Monday, September 25, 2017

Author: Midland Reporter - Telegram More than $4 million in Midland Development Corp. projects -- including $2 million for a highway safety project at Loop 250 and County Road 1150 -- are on Tuesday’s Midland City Council agenda. The donation agreement, according to city documents, is meant to leverage Texas Department of Transportation funds for the construction of main lanes and interchanges at the intersection. Other projects include: - $1.7 million for improvements to the intersection of Carver Street and Scharbauer Drive, including but not limited to drainage, sidewalks, handicapped ramps, road improvements and utilities. - $316,000 for a promotional agreement with the Bush Tennis Center...
MC dual-credit enrollment increases

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Author: Midland Reporter Telegram Dual-credit enrollment at Midland College has increased from fall 2016, trustees learned in a presentation Tuesday at the board’s monthly meeting. Fall 2017 enrollment for dual credit -- which allows students to earn both high school and college credits -- was 1,392 as of Tuesday. The figure is a jump from 1,116 students during the same semester last year, according to figures provided to the Reporter-Telegram. But total enrollment was down from last fall, according to the presentation. The college had an enrollment of 5,811 as of Monday, a drop from 6,026 in fall 2016. Liz Zenteno, dean of enrollment management, said...
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