Texas is America’s Top State for Business according toCNBC, Financial Times and Site Selection magazine. Other publications and ranking services are touting the state, too.

The consistently high rankings are based on factors from consumer confidence to job creation and from exporting to manufacturing.

Confident, Growing Consumer Base

Consumer confidence in Texas has consistently outpaced the nation. So while the recession has led some consumers to pull back, 65 percent of Texans were confident in December 2008 against only 38 percent nationwide.

With 81 percent of Texas’ 23 million people living within 200 miles of Waco, we are in the center of the most confident consumer base in the nation.

Not only are Texas consumers confident, but the number of consumers in Texas continues to grow. In 2009, Allied Van Lines reported in its 41st Annual Magnet Report that, for the fourth consecutive year, Texas ranks as the top relocation destination in the United States. This fact is seen in census data as well, which showed that Texas led the nation in new population from July 2007 to July 2008.

Census data also shows that Texas is an urban state with 82.5 percent of the population living in metropolitan areas. Urban density is increasing in Texas. Census growth trends between 1990 and 2000 reported 91 percent of population growth was attracted to urban areas with Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio leading the way—all within 200 miles of Waco. That growth trend continues as census data reported that the Texas population grew by 14.6 percent, twice the national average of 7.2 percent, between 2000 and 2007.

Job Creation and Talent

Despite the economic challenges in the second half of 2008, Texas posted a year end gain of .9 percent in employment, or 97,980 jobs, compared to the national loss of 1.5 million jobs in 2008.

Waco made positive contributions to the Texas economy with a gain of 1.2 percent in employment, or 1,266 jobs, from January to December 2008.

According to the Texas Workforce Commission, the January 2009 adjustment to the employment figures reported milder growth rates for Texas—and Waco. Texas posted a .2 percent gain in employment or 21, 500 new jobs and Waco a .7 percent gain in employment reflective of 700 new jobs from January 2008 to January 2009 while the nation lost nearly 3.5 million jobs or a 2.6 percent decline in employment. At 6.8 percent unemployment, Texas remained lower than the national unemployment rate of 8.6 percent for the 25th consecutive month in January 2009. Waco was comparatively healthy, posting a 5.9 percent unemployment rate for the same period.

Young talent is critical to the workforce supply chain. With a median age of 33.1 years versus the national average of 36.4 years, Texas boasts the youngest median population among the nation’s 10 most populous states and fifth youngest workforce in the country. Texas also is attracting new, young talent. According to the Office of the Governor, more than 42,000 college-graduate workers moved to Texas from other states in 2006.

Waco is even younger with a median age of 31.7 and more than 500,000 students enrolled in colleges and universities within a 200 mile radius. Local numbers should grow with the new degree programs to be offered by Texas Tech University at the University Center at McLennan Community College and continued growth at Baylor University and Texas State Technical College Waco.

Exports Import Dollars

For the seventh consecutive year, Texas is the top exporting state in the nation with more than $192 billion in 2008 exports, up 14 percent from 2007. Chemicals and computer equipment were the top exports at more than $30 billion each. Transportation equipment, a key sector in Waco, is also a top export.

Exports drive nearly 15 percent of the $1.125 trillion Texas Gross State Product, which is twice the share of the United States as a whole. More than 455,000 jobs in 21,000 companies in Texas are directly related to Texas exports. Mexico and Canada are Texas’ largest trading partners with five Asian countries and several European countries in the top 10 destinations.

International trade also impacts inbound investment. According to the Office of the Governor, Texas has attracted more than $85 billion in Foreign Direct Investment in the past five years.

Industry and Innovation

Texas has made significant advances in the diversification of its economy and is now home to more FORTUNE 500 headquarters than any other state in the nation.

The state’s focused clusters initiative is designed to further diversify our economy by growing six key industries: Advanced Technology and Manufacturing; Aerospace and Defense; Biotech and Life Sciences Information and Computer Technology; Petroleum Refining and Chemical Products; and Energy.

The Texas Enterprise Fund has provided incentives to help the state attract more than 54,000 jobs and $14 billion in capital investment, many in these key sectors. The Enterprise Fund has helped Waco attract Associated Hygienic Products and Sanderson Farms, and other requests have been received favorably. Tools such as the Texas Enterprise Zone program have been critical in the retention and expansion of existing Texas firms, including six Waco firms in the last two years.

What may be more telling are the gains Texas has made in emerging technologies and innovation. Through the Texas Emerging Technology Fund, more than 70 companies and $110 million have been invested in the commercialization of new technologies. Many of these investments are in the advances of new technology in existing key sectors.

Always known as a leader in energy, Texas is now leading the nation in renewable energy. With more than 5,300 megawatts of wind power online, Texas recently passed California as the top wind-generating state. Texas also leads the nation in solar capacity.

In terms of innovation the National Science Foundation’s Science and Engineering State Profiles ranks Texas in the top five states for science and engineering doctorates awarded, total research and development performance and academic research and development expenditures. With our partnership higher education, such as Baylor University and Texas State Technical College Waco, we will continue to leverage the Emerging Technology Fund to get these assets out of the lab and into commercial applications.

Transportation

Transportation assets connect the human and business capital in Texas and are gateways to the global economy. The Texas port system with more than 13 ports along the Gulf of Mexico is anchored by the Port of Houston, which is the No. 2 port in America by cargo volume. With the most miles of both public roads (305,270) and railroad (10,608) of any other state, cargo is distributed over multi-modal networks throughout the state.

Not just a gateway for goods, Texas is also a gateway for travelers. In Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Bush Intercontinental Airport, Texas has two of the top 20 airports in the world, according to international airport data. Multiple daily flights to these airports from Waco Regional Airport make Waco uniquely accessible for a mid-sized market.

Further, collaborative efforts are gaining traction for the development of high-speed passenger rail to connect the densely populated, economic centers in Texas—including Waco.

Bottom Line for Waco

Wacoans are confident about our future. We’re committed to urban development. Our rate of growth of jobs and wealth are positive. And we’re further diversifying one of the state’s most balanced economies.

As the State of Texas continues to lead the nation in key economic indicators, it is our goal in Waco to contribute significantly to that growth. It is a priority made by the Chamber leadership and one of 10 Breakthrough Initiatives that Waco will exceed the Texas average for growth in income, jobs and investment. And, by doing so, Waco will continue to be a top destination in America’s top state for business.