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The state of Texas — which currently is the ninth largest economy in the world with a workforce of 14.8 million — is looking to partner with small communities like Manor, Elgin and Taylor.
Such was the message of featured speaker Riccardo Canova, who works in the Office of Business and Community Development for Governor Greg Abbot, at the first ever METT Summit held at the Elgin Recreation Center May 18, which was organized by the Elgin, Manor and Taylor chambers of commerce.
“It’s not just, ‘Hey, we are the state, and we do it all on our own,” Canova said. “We have to partner with local communities to make our state what it is today.”
Canova said BCD’s focus is on creating new jobs and investment in the state through recruiting domestic and international businesses, helping existing businesses expand and grow, finding markets for goods made in Texas worldwide, making businesses aware of state programs and resources, and more.
“We are a huge economy,” Canova said. “We have tons and tons of people moving to Texas because Texas is a place where people want to be.”
Canova said in an era when people are complaining about a lack of skilled workers, Texas is growing because of the opportunity.
“I like to point out we have a diverse and growing population,” Canova said. “Texas is growing exponentially … We have a diverse economy with diverse jobs requiring different skillsets, from Information Technology, advanced manufacturing, and more. You name it, we have got it.”
BCD operates through a “bottom-up” approach when working with new businesses looking to relocate to Texas, Canova said.
“In Texas, what ends up happening is a business will say, ‘Hey, we want to go to Texas. We hear A, B and C is awesome. Where can we go?’” Canova said his office collects more information to narrow down the possibilities, such as if the prospective investor needs to be near the ocean or close to an interstate.
“Once we find out geographically where they need to be, then we send it out to your communities so that they get to really choose, ‘Hey, this is a business that it is interested in coming into Texas, and possibly to our area, and one, do we want this business in our area? And then secondly, ‘Do we meet the qualifications for that business?’” Canova said despite the magnitude of Texas’ economic power, the state still needs guidance from smaller communities such as Manor, Elgin and Taylor.
“There are a bunch of companies that want to come to Texas,” Canova said. “We need your help in finding a place for them.”
