Never Mind the Governor: CA to TX Migration Is Already Strong

DALLAS-Since the early days of February, business headlines in Texas and California have been focused on efforts by Texas Governor Rick Perry to woo California businesses to the Lone Star State. Much has been made in the Texas media about the millions spent by the governor’s office on public relations and advertising in the Golden State in attempts to lure businesses there to the Lone Star State.

But experts tell GlobeSt.com that the governor’s promotion activities haven’t really been necessary. The eastward migration of businesses to Texas from California has been in play for quite some time now. “This has been a phenomenon we’ve experienced during the past 10 years,” notes Mike Lewis, co-founder and principal with Dallas-based Velocis Partners. “But it’s been getting stronger recently.” Transwestern senior vice president Larry Mendez, who is based in San Antonio, pinpoints the increase of California business in Texas from before the recent financial crash, though acknowledges that there seems to be more interest than ever these days. Adds Tom Pearson, executive vice president with Colliers International’s Dallas office: “The governor really didn’t need to do this; there are plenty of people promoting Texas and coming here right now.”