The Paris Economic Development Corporation (PEDC) was honored to attend the Governor’s Cup Ceremony in Austin, Texas, on March 5, along with local employer Campbell’s.
The Governor’s Cup is an award presented by Site Selection Magazine annually since 1978. It acknowledges the top-performing state in attracting job-creating business relocations and expansions. This year, Texas received the award for the 13th consecutive year, surpassing all other states with 21 overall wins.
Texas weighed in at 1,368 projects for 2024, which is 114 more than the previous year and twice the number of second-place Illinois, which logged 664. Rounding out the top five states for total projects are Ohio (565), California (323) and Georgia (262). For projects per capita, South Dakota, too, upped its project count for 2024 to 55 from 40 the previous year. Illinois placed second followed by Ohio, Texas, and Kentucky (187). (Site Selection Magazine)
Governor Abbott commended Texas’s achievement, emphasizing the state’s pro-business environment and strategic investments in infrastructure, education, and workforce development as catalysts for economic growth.
“Texas offers businesses unmatched competitive advantages, including a business-friendly climate, no corporate or personal income tax, a highly skilled workforce, easy access to global markets, robust infrastructure, and an exceptional quality of life, said Governor Abbott. That is why Texas continues to be the leader in attracting world-class businesses, investment, and top talent from all over the world. We’re proud to accept the Governor’s Cup from Site Selection magazine for a record-breaking 13th year in a row.”
The PEDC and Campbell’s were invited to the ceremony, representing Paris’ progress in business retention, expansions, and growth over the last year.
“As it’s said, Texas moves at the speed of business,” said Maureen Hammond. “With three major projects secured in 2024, it’s evident that Paris and Lamar County aren’t slowing down anytime soon. We were honored to participate in the Governor’s Cup ceremony and look forward to many more successes in the coming years.”
The Paris Economic Development Corporation continues to partner with local businesses, community leaders, and state entities to ensure Paris and Lamar County remain magnets for both talent and investment. Through these joint efforts, Paris is not only contributing to the success of Texas but also solidifying its reputation as “Where Texans Reach Higher.”
In the last twelve months, the PEDC has supported three major projects, including Amazon, Rogers Wade, and Campbell’s, representing 540 direct jobs, $95 million in capital investments, and an estimated annual payroll of more than $31 million. Since 2020, the Paris Economic Development Corporation has supported 1865 jobs, representing $95.5 million in estimated annual payroll and $493.5 million in capital investment. To learn more about the PEDC, please visit www.selectparistexas.com