Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
Westlake, Texas — September 2025- Governor Greg Abbott highlighted Texas’ expanding economic influence during the Texas Economic Development Corporation (TxEDC) Investor Summit, held at Hillwood’s Circle T Ranch in Westlake and hosted by Ross Perot, Jr. Themed “Texas Takeover: America’s New Financial Hub,” the summit convened more than 200 business leaders, investors, and officials from across the state and the nation.
In a fireside chat moderated by Glenn Hamer, President and CEO of the Texas Association of Business, Abbott pointed to the advantages driving Texas’ economy. These include a “booming, diversified economy anchored by technology, energy, and manufacturing,” a “young, skilled, and diverse workforce ready to power growth,” and what he described as a “predictable regulatory climate and no state income tax that gives Texas an edge over coastal competitors.”
“We’re cutting red tape and keeping government out of the way so both small businesses and large investors can thrive here in Texas,” Abbott said, according to the Governor’s Office. “The future of finance is no longer limited to New York or California—Texas is leading the way.”
The governor emphasized the Dallas–Fort Worth region’s emergence as a financial hub, highlighting expansions by Nasdaq, NYSE, and multiple Fortune 500 relocations. He was joined on stage by Arun Agarwal, Chair of the TxEDC Board of Directors, and Aaron Demerson, President and CEO of TxEDC, who both underscored the summit’s role in advancing Texas’ global competitiveness.
The program featured panels on venture capital, private equity, and banking, as well as networking opportunities for institutional investors. TxEDC also introduced its new Investor Guide, a resource designed for businesses evaluating expansion or relocation to the state of Texas.
The summit reinforced Texas’ goal of becoming a premier financial center in addition to its traditional leadership in energy, aerospace, and technology.
Economic development leaders from across the Rio Grande Valley also attended. Teclo Garcia, CEO of the Mission Economic Development Office, praised the event: “Thank you, Governor Greg Abbott and your economic development & tourism team, for hosting an outstanding Texas Economic Development Corporation Investor Summit and for delivering a strong message of competitiveness and Texas leadership in innovation and business as we advance.”
Garcia added that it was an opportunity to reconnect with state leaders and colleagues. “It was good to catch up with TxEDC Board of Directors Chairman Arun Agarwal, TxEDC President & CEO Aaron Demerson, Adriana Cruz, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism, and good RGV friend Fernanda S., an industry specialist within the ED&T office, as well as Dr. Valerie G. Segovia. Excellent work on the dynamic meeting and for all the leadership.”
Garcia also noted the participation of other Rio Grande Valley representatives, including Adam Gonzalez and Dalith Cantu, Industrial Development Executive at Cil Commodities Integrated Logistics.
“I am grateful to Ross Perot Jr. for hosting the 200+ leaders from around the state at the beautiful Circle T Ranch,” Garcia said. “Texas is on the right road for economic development.”
