Gov. Greg Abbott credits light regulations, low taxes, skilled workforce for the ranking by Site Selection magazine.
Texas had the best business climate of any state last year, the first time in more than a decade that the Lone Star State ranked No. 1 in the annual compilation by Site Selection, a magazine covering business relocations. In Oct. 6 file photo, Abbott speaks at UP summit focusing on the future of tech, travel and transportation at the Circle T Ranch in Westlake.
In Site Selection’s eyes, Texas’ first-place finish as the state with the best business climate in 2023 was “decisive.” It edged out Georgia and last year’s winner, Virginia.In recent years, Texas often was in the top five. It had not landed a No. 1 ranking since 2011. “What business climate means can be somewhat subjective,” said Site Selection’s editor in chief Mark Arend, who sat with Abbott at a table bedecked with trophies Texas has won from the magazine for being the state with the most new factory and plant starts.
“But having no corporate income tax is part of it,” Arend said. “The ability to create 650,000 new jobs, as you did in 2022, is part of it. A 90% high school graduation rate is part of it.”, Austin Bureau Chief. Bob has covered state government and politics for The Dallas Morning News since 2002. Earlier, he was a statehouse reporter for three newspapers, including the Dallas Times Herald. A fifth-generation Texan, Bob earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University.