Business Facilities - March 2009 - (Page 28)

BUSINESS REPORT Texas The Greater Houston Partnership recently celebrated its 20-year anniversary. “While much has changed since the beginning of the Chamber, we continue to fight for improvements in the same areas our predecessors did – transportation, free trade and quality of life,” says Jeff Moseley, president and CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership. “We have made and continue to make huge strides in these areas and beyond.” Adding to its success, Houston was recently chosen by Vestas, the world’s largest supplier of wind turbines, as the location for its new research center in the U.S. “Houston provides access to a highly qualified workforce in an international and extremely energyfocused research and development environment,” says Finn Strom Madsen, president of Vestas Technology R&D. “In addition, Houston will allow Vestas to establish and strengthen relations within the North American and global energy industry. Tapping into and contributing to the tremendous pool of knowledge and know-how offered by Houston’s energy environment is invaluable in our quest to develop wind turbines that in the future can meet the technological and cost-efficiency demands of our customers.” Texas and Houston have taken progressive steps to secure their positions as global hubs in an energy landscape that will increasingly rely on renewable sources of energy to supplement the use of fossil fuels. Today, Texas is the leading wind state in the U.S., accounting for 26% of the nation’s total installed wind capacity or the equivalent of the electricity needed to power more than one million Texas homes. “This partnership with Vestas is the latest step in our state’s aggressive Deloitte is consolidating its operations into Heritage Plaza in Houston. momentum towards a The company will be leasing approximately 300,000 square feet of diversified energy portfothis 1.1-million-square-foot Class A office building. MARCH 2009 lio,” says Governor Perry. “Expanding wind energy research and development will only accelerate our state toward energy independence.” “We’re very pleased to welcome Vestas to Houston,” says Bill White, Mayor of Houston. “They are the clear leader in their field, and Houston is working hard to remain not only the world’s energy capital, but to be the capital of renewable energy, too. Having Vestas as a corporate citizen is a win-win and we look forward to a long, prosperous and constantly renewable partnership.” PORT SAN ANTONIO’S NEW FIS FACILITY In February, Port San Antonio celebrated the opening of its on-site Federal Inspection Services (FIS) facility, operated by the U.S. Customs & Border Protection Agency. These services will streamline the processing of cargo for customers of Port San Antonio. The full-service facility, along with the personnel manning the facility, are investments made by the Port at no cost to the federal government. In addition to the facility itself, an agricultural laboratory and several storage areas are readily available for the accommodation of bonded goods. With the addition of its FIS facility, Port San Antonio has bolstered its reputation as a preferred site for international commerce. Along with its railport, air cargo facility, access to several major highways, and now the ability to clear international and agricultural products on-site, will add to its position as an all-in-one solution for the efficient transport of cargo. All of Port San Antonio has been designated as a General Purpose Foreign Trade Zone (#80-10). 28

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Business Facilities - March 2009

Business Facilities - March 2009 Contents First Word Snapshots Corporate Moves: Tennessee Deciphering High-Tech Hubs Industry Focus: Biotech/Pharmaceuticals The Lone Star State Continues to Burn Brightly Pennsylvania is Holding Its Own Corporate Moves: Florida Metro Spotlight: Findlay, OH Advertiser Index Ask the Expert

Business Facilities - March 2009

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