A Strategic Gateway to the U.S. Market
Establishing operations in the Texas First region gives international companies a practical, cost-effective entry point into the United States and the broader North American marketplace. Located in East Texas, the region connects businesses to major population centers, suppliers, customers and transportation corridors, without the congestion and operating costs often associated with large metropolitan areas.
Texas First brings multiple communities and economic development partners together as one coordinated region. International companies gain a simpler location process, one primary point of contact and access to the region’s strongest sites, infrastructure, workforce resources and business support services. This unified approach is especially valuable for companies unfamiliar with how local governments, utilities and economic development organizations work together in the United States.
The Texas First region sits at the crossroads of major east-west and north-south trade corridors that connect companies to markets across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Interstates 20 and 30 provide direct access toward Dallas–Fort Worth and extend east through Arkansas, Louisiana and the broader national highway network. U.S. Highway 59, part of the future Interstate 69 corridor, creates an important north-south route linking the region toward Gulf Coast ports, the U.S.–Mexico border and markets reaching into the Midwest and Canada.
This location gives manufacturers, distributors and international investors access to customers and suppliers in every direction. More than 30 million people are within a day’s drive, including major population and business centers across Texas, the South and the central United States. Connections to Class I rail networks, regional airports, Dallas–Fort Worth and Houston air gateways, and inland and deep-water ports further extend the region’s reach across North America and into global markets.
For companies managing complex supply chains, that connectivity creates flexibility and resilience. Businesses can receive raw materials from domestic or international sources, connect with suppliers across multiple states and countries, and distribute finished products throughout the United States from one strategically positioned East Texas location. The result is regional access with continental scale: a place where companies can serve nearby customers efficiently while building a broader North American platform for growth.
Texas First offers access not only to the United States, but to a deeply integrated North American economy. A Texas operation can help international companies build closer relationships with U.S. customers, respond more quickly to demand and reduce the distance between production and end users.
The region also offers Foreign Trade Zone opportunities in multiple communities. Depending on the company and its operations, these programs may provide tools for managing duties, inventory and international trade activity. Texas First can help companies evaluate available opportunities and connect with the appropriate local, state and federal resources.
Highway, rail, airport and port connections also support trade with Canada, Mexico and overseas markets, making the region well suited for production, assembly, distribution and service operations.
A North American location must provide market access while supporting long-term profitability. Texas First offers proximity to major markets without many of the costs, delays and development pressures associated with operating inside a large metropolitan area.
Companies can find industrial sites, existing facilities and scalable development opportunities throughout the region. All locations offer access to utilities, transportation infrastructure and local teams experienced in industrial development. Regional partners can also assist with permitting, infrastructure coordination, workforce development and qualifying incentives.
This combination gives companies access to the Dallas–Fort Worth market and the broader national transportation network while operating in communities that are affordable, responsive and prepared to support new investment.
Texas First is part of an established manufacturing and logistics economy. The region supports advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense, plastics and chemicals, metal fabrication, logistics and distribution, agribusiness, food production, semiconductor-related operations and other technology-driven industries.
That industrial base provides access to experienced workers, training providers, suppliers and communities accustomed to supporting complex operations. Regional universities, colleges and technical institutions offer programs in manufacturing, logistics, machining, instrumentation, information technology and other high-demand fields.
For an international company entering North America, these resources can help accelerate startup, workforce development and integration into the regional business ecosystem.
Texas First was created to make international investment in the region easier to navigate. Its communities combine their strongest assets through one regional organization, allowing companies to evaluate opportunities based on business needs rather than jurisdictional boundaries.
Texas First can help companies:
- Identify sites and existing buildings
- Compare infrastructure and utility capabilities
- Connect with workforce and training partners
- Navigate incentives and business resources
- Coordinate property tours and project meetings
- Maintain confidentiality throughout the process
Texas First provides a seamless regional experience led by one knowledgeable point of contact.
Start Your North American Expansion in Texas
Whether your company is establishing its first U.S. operation, expanding its North American presence or seeking a more competitive location for production and distribution, Texas First offers a connected and business-ready place to begin.