HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Governor Greg Abbott is celebrating Manufacturing Week with a tour of the ITD Precision Stamping facility in Harlingen.
Abbott aims to promote the critical role that this industry plays in Texas’ booming economy.
After the tour, the governor held a news conference recognizing the Made in Texas brand and the success of American manufacturers in the global market.
The governor stated Texas is the number eight economy in the world. He said the state makes up nine percent of the manufactured goods sold in the country.
“This hard-working field creates good paying jobs,” Abbott said. The governor credited South Texas College for the vocational skills that the college equips students with to be able to join the workforce.
ITD Precision Stamping has been in business for more than 60 years in the Harlingen Industrial Park. Abbott said businesses like the stamping facility help Texas in producing nine percent of all manufactured goods in the United States.
“The Texas spirit has long been defined by innovation, ingenuity, and a relentless work ethic, seminal traits that are especially evident in our manufacturing industry.”
He said Texas is leading the country in creating new jobs for America and has the eighth largest economy in the world.
“Texas has grown so much with our economic prowess, we are now home to more fortune 500 company headquarters than any other state in America,” Abbott said.
Abbott said Harlingen is one of the top cities in the country for small businesses.
“Part of the reason why we have that success is because of your local economic development teams like what you have in Harlingen.”
The governor says the state also has the largest budget surplus in the history of Texas. He said the money is being used to cut property taxes.
Abbott was joined by ITD Precision Stamping Vice President of Operations Scott Hays, state officials, and other local business leaders.
