The state of Texas has maintained its position as the top-performing state for economic development, securing the Governor’s Cup from Site Selection Magazine for the 14th consecutive year. The latest recognition highlights the state’s sustained ability to attract large-scale business investments, expansion projects and job creation across multiple industries.
According to Site Selection, Texas recorded more than 1,400 corporate location and expansion projects in 2025, representing over $75 billion in capital investment and creating more than 42,000 new jobs. The state attracted more than twice the number of projects compared to the second-ranked state, reinforcing its lead in corporate site selection and facility development activity nationwide.
Governor Greg Abbott said the results reflect long-term strategic planning and strong coordination between state and local economic development teams. “There is no state that is better-designed or better-positioned economically now and going forward,” Abbott said.
“When we have so many of those robust local economic development teams working alongside the State of Texas, that is wind at our back to ensure that we will be leading in projects now and going forward.”
The Governor’s Cup, awarded annually by Site Selection, is widely regarded as a benchmark for economic development performance in the United States. The award evaluates states based on verified corporate facility investments, including relocations, expansions and new site developments. Texas has now earned the recognition 22 times overall, underscoring its long-standing competitiveness in attracting domestic and foreign direct investment.
Ron Starner, executive vice president of Site Selection, described Texas’ latest performance as historically significant. “It is time to start talking about the State of Texas as a dynasty in economic development,” he said. “Texas did not just win the Governor’s Cup this time, it obliterated the record book.”
State leaders point to several structural advantages supporting this performance, including a large and growing workforce, business-friendly regulatory conditions and continued investment in infrastructure. Texas has also benefited from population growth and corporate migration trends, with companies across sectors such as manufacturing, energy, technology and logistics expanding operations in the state.
Officials from the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office noted that regional collaboration has played a critical role in sustaining momentum. Local economic development organizations, municipalities and private sector partners have worked closely with the state to attract and execute projects, creating a coordinated pipeline of investment opportunities.
The scale of investment also reflects broader economic diversification efforts. While Texas has historically been associated with energy, recent projects have spanned advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, clean energy and technology, positioning the state for resilience across different economic cycles.
Abbott emphasized that this diversification strategy is central to long-term growth. “You can see that we are on a trajectory to ensure our economic diversification is going to inoculate us in good times, as well as bad times,” he said, noting that the goal is to sustain job creation and economic opportunity across the state.
As competition for global investment intensifies, Texas’ continued top ranking signals its ability to maintain a strong value proposition for businesses seeking scale, infrastructure and access to talent. With consistent project volumes and expanding sector coverage, the state remains a key destination for companies planning U.S. expansion or relocation.
