Texas to the World: Invest Here!
The SelectUSA Investment Summit is considered the year’s most important opportunity for attracting foreign direct investment. State delegates fielded a Texas-sized level of interest during the three-day event.
Paula McDonald, Th.D, Vice Chairman of the Texas REALTORS® Commercial Committee, joined Team Texas in National Harbor, Maryland, for the May summit. “We were just bombarded with so many people who wanted to bring business to Texas,” she says. “We had more people at our booth than anyone.”
McDonald, the 2020 Granbury Association of REALTORS® president, spoke with investors from a variety of industries, including technology, robotics, microchips, import/export, and manufacturing. “It was almost like speed dating for economic development,” she jokes.
Location feasibility was a top concern: Where in Texas could they find the resources they needed? “They asked about schools and housing,” McDonald says. “Some needed ports. Others needed warehouses. Their needs were very diverse.”
Investors left their contact information with Team Texas representatives, who will connect them with economic developers around the state.
McDonald left the summit optimistic about the state’s prospects. “We have so many people who want to bring viable businesses and billions of dollars to Texas,” she says. “In my mind, the sky is not falling economically. We are a desirable place for them to bring their businesses. Very exciting things are happening here.”