Texas and Houston have once again earned top accolades for economic development from Site Selection Magazine, highlighting the region’s attractiveness for business. A survey of business executives also affirmed Texas as the top state for business climate, with Houston listed as one of the “places to grow fast.”   These rankings are based on the perspectives of corporate decision makers. Criteria for the rankings included the executive survey, 2023 Governor’s Cup rankings, Inc. 5000 companies, total and per capita economic development projects as well as various other Conway Data rankings. In addition to the rankings, a survey of site selectors yielded a list of most important criteria, naming utilities, workforce skills, land and building prices and ease of permitting and regulation.  The study gave special notice to Chevron’s recent headquarters relocation to Houston, its low-carbon and ammonia production plant in Baytown and the company’s success working with the Texas General Land Office for the largest offshore carbon dioxide storage lease in the U.S. These examples of business expansion reflect the region’s business-friendly environment.  Texas earned the top state for business climate and top state for FTZ impact, with the Port of Houston being named the seventh-ranked foreign trade zone out of nearly 300 nationally. Texas ranked number one in merchandise received and exports, coming at the top of the list for warehouse and distribution exports and production activity. Much of Texas’s acumen can be traced to Houston, the top exporting metro in the United States – more goods are exported from the Houston metro than New York and Los Angeles combined.  “The evidence is clear that Texas is a top destination for business, and Houston’s business climate stands as a leader attracting new foreign and domestic investments,” Partnership SVP of Economic Development Craig Rhodes said. “We have the essential foundation for any business to succeed, backed by our robust infrastructure, regulatory environment, a skilled workforce, and a deep understanding of company needs. Here in Houston, we offer an exceptional platform for businesses to thrive and make a meaningful impact both domestically and internationally.”  This news further underscores Houston as a top destination for foreign trade and investment, along with the 2023 Financial Times-Nikkei ranking as the top U.S. city for foreign investment. With the nation’s busiest port by tonnage, a welcoming culture and regulatory environment, an ambitious workforce and favorable real estate pricing, Houston serves as fertile ground for business to thrive.  To read further on what makes Greater Houston a top destination for business, visit our Economic Development page. 

Houston Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs (HYPE) provides tailored professional development opportunities for the next generation of business and community leaders at member companies through unique, regular engagements throughout the year and a curated bimonthly newsletter geared towards building their skills and enhancing their leadership potential. Carly Bylund, Vice President at Frost Bank, and HYPE Champion. Bylund shares her insights on the value of HYPE for young professionals and recaps the latest HYPE Summit, an annual conference that connects HYPE members with Houston's top leaders How has your involvement with HYPE helped you build meaningful connections within Houston’s business community? Being a member of HYPE has been a wonderful way to stay connected to the Houston community. Since HYPE is a young professional group, it has been so beneficial to connect with like-minded people in similar career stages. HYPE has made meeting others easy, and it’s been a natural way to build my network. What do you find most valuable about being a HYPE Champion, and how does it motivate you to continue participating in events? As a HYPE Champion, I look forward to seeing familiar faces at every event. It is motivating to be surrounded by people committed to the opportunities Houston presents us with. There is such a diverse group of attendees to every HYPE event that I know I’ll leave each event learning something new about an industry, company, or even Houston itself. Can you share a memorable moment from a recent HYPE event that had a significant impact on your career or perspective on Houston's opportunities? The HYPE Summit was such a fun day! Having the opportunity to hear the stories and advice of successful Houston professionals is invaluable. I especially loved the breakout discussions, where we connected in small groups with each speaker. It was inspiring to hear from people like Trevor Best, CEO, Syzygy, Andrea Alexander, SVP and CHRO, Coterra and Steve Kean, President and CEO, Greater Houston Partnership. How do you think HYPE’s diverse group of attendees contributes to your professional growth and understanding of different industries in Houston? The diversity of attendees at every HYPE event is something I truly value. It creates opportunities to learn something new about a different industry or company every time. I always leave these events with a broader perspective on Houston’s business landscape and new connections that contribute to my personal and professional growth. The HYPE Summit features insights from successful professionals. What was the most inspiring piece of advice or story you heard at the event? I enjoy hearing about people’s specific career paths and how they got to their current positions because success looks different for everyone. One of the most inspiring takeaways was how many opportunities there are for young professionals in Houston to become leaders as we transition across generations. Listening to entrepreneurs like Trevor Best and executives like Andrea Alexander and Steve Kean was truly inspiring. Their stories reminded me that success comes in many forms and often through unconventional paths. It has encouraged me to be open to new opportunities and to think more strategically about how I can shape my own career. HYPE events bring together people from a wide variety of industries. How have these interactions broadened your understanding of Houston’s economic landscape? Every HYPE event I attend broadens my understanding of Houston’s economic landscape. Meeting professionals from different sectors and learning about their companies opens my eyes to new possibilities. These interactions have been a great way to stay informed about what’s happening across industries in the city. Looking ahead, what are you most excited about in terms of future HYPE events and how they contribute to Houston’s thriving young professional community? I’m already looking forward to the next HYPE event! These gatherings are a great way to stay connected, learn from others, and grow my professional network. I’m excited about the future of HYPE because it keeps young professionals engaged and invested in Houston’s success, and that’s something I’m proud to be a part of. HYPE is a member-based program, to subscribe you must be employed at a current member company. Learn more about this program here.