Small Business Assistance works to establish the State of Texas as the place to start and grow small businesses, by identifying and isolating legal and financial barriers for small, medium, and historically underutilized businesses (HUB’s). The office assists small and medium enterprises with expansion programs, policies and directives, and developing strategies and outlooks for small business development both domestically and internationally.

Employment

Over the year 2008, Texas created more jobs than the other 49 U.S. states combined. Texas finished the year with a net increase of more than 93,000 jobs, while most other states suffered net decreases.
Despite the national recession, eight of Texas’ metropolitan areas continued to add jobs between March 2008 and March 2009, including Austin-Round Rock, which saw the largest over-the-year employment increase in March of any metro in the nation.

Business Climate

• Texas ranks No. 1 on the Fortune 500 and 1000 list.
• Texas is the No. 1 exporting state in the nation for seven consecutive years.
• Texas has no personal income tax.
• Texas ranks as one of the ten lowest overall tax burden states in the nation.