The 2005 Governor’s Cup is awarded by Site Selection magazine for the most qualified new or expanded projects in any state. Qualified projects means the new business or business expansion would include a capital investment of $1 million, create a minimum of 50 jobs, or occupy new floor space of at least 20,000 square feet.

For the second year in a row, Texas ranks number 1 with 842 projects surpassing the 668 that won Texas the Governor’s Cup in 2004. Ohio came in second with 598 projects followed by Illinois with 510.

"We’re still taking aggressive steps to ensure that this state remains business friendly," says Governor Perry. "There was the tort reform we passed in 2003 and the workers’ compensation reform, we maintained our favorable tax climate, and we implemented some innovative work force development initiatives."

A recent press release from the Governor’s Office highlights "Washington Mutual’s decision to bring 4,200 jobs to San Antonio, which was the largest job creation project in America for 2005."

Nationally and for San Antonio, Texas, Washington Mutual plays a significant contribution to the economy with the location of a regional operations center in the former MCI building occupying 405,000 square feet and accommodating 2,250 employees. Expansion plans in the near future at Washington Mutual will add almost 600,000 square feet of new space and an additional 2,000 to 2,500 jobs to run its San Antonio operation.

For the complete article, see Site Selection Magazines March 2005 issue or visit www.siteselection.com.

For the Texas Governor’s Press Release, see www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/press/pressreleases