Among major metro areas, Dallas-Fort Worth ranked second behind only Chicago for the most business expansion projects.Texas led the nation in business expansion projects in 2021, earningThe state’s project count — 1,123 — more than doubled second-place finisher Ohio. The Texas total also was 341 more than its 2020 count.’s criteria, projects qualify based on three components: investment of $1 million or more, creation of 20 or more new jobs, or 20,000 square feet or more of new space.
Among major metro areas, Dallas-Fort Worth ranked second behind only Chicago for the most business expansion projects last year. Houston and Austin finished third and fourth, respectively. It was the ninth straight yearTrailing Texas and Ohio in the projects race were Illinois with 480, California with 301 and North Carolina with 282.Texas Instruments led the way with
that could ultimately bring $30 billion in investment to Sherman. Not far behind was Samsung’s $17 billion plan for a new plant in Taylor near Austin.Semiconductor plant investments accounted for the three top spots on’s “U.S. Giants” list of costliest projects. Intel Corp.’s $20 billion chip plant in Chandler, Ariz., joined the two Texas projects at the top.
Other Texas projects ranking in the top 10 were Nacero’s $7 billion industrial gas investment in Penwell and Covestro’s $4.7 billion chemicals expansion in Baytown. Competition is fierce among states and metro areas to land major projects that create jobs, expand tax bases and add panache to communities’ rosters of locally based companies. While Texas cities triumph in many of those battles, even the Lone Star State doesn’t win them all.