Senior vice president of economic development Charisse Bodisch was featured on Fox Business to discuss why Texas -especially the Austin region - has become so appealing to companies looking to relocate.

Charisse is also featured in this KVUE Boomtown 2040 interview and states:

“For the state, it's a huge name and people see that name and he's got a following,” said Charisse Bodisch, Austin Chamber SVP, economic development and Opportunity Austin representative. “He's not the only one to move here. That's a big name from a big company, and we continue to see these big CEOs chase Texas. Texas has a very business-friendly climate.”

This CNN Business article digs deeper into this phenomenon, quoting Chamber president and CEO, Laura Huffman:

“We talk about ourselves as the Human Capital,” said Laura Huffman, president and CEO of the Austin Chamber, citing the diverse and highly educated population of the region as one reason companies seek to relocate there. She noted that 47% of the city's working population has a bachelor's degree, thanks to the 25 colleges and universities in the area.

“I also would not underestimate the importance of quality of life,” Huffman said. “There are a lot of things about this community — it's got a great local flavor, a great music scene, it's an outdoors city. That's where people want to be. I think 2020 has taught us all that we have more choice when it comes to where we live.”

This Wall Street Journal article expands on the reasons why Austin is becoming a magnet for new jobs:

“Business relocations to Austin announced this year are expected to create nearly 10,000 jobs. That is the city’s highest figure on record for a single year, according to the Austin Chamber of Commerce, and is helping offset the hit from COVID-19 to the city’s tourist-dependent restaurants, bars and music venues.”

On December 8th, the 20th Annual Greater Austin Business Awards celebrated businesses in the region, recognizing the people and companies that have demonstrated a unique vision, innovation, and best business practices. Watch the celebration and see all the 2020 award recipients.

On December 10th, we announced the 2020 Austinite of the Year, covered in this Austin American-Statesman article:

For work with the business community, the local economy, and the educational system, the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce has named Dawson its Austinite of the Year for 2020. The award is the chamber’s highest annual honor.

“Susan Dawson exemplifies what it means to be Austinite of the Year,” said chamber board chair Craig Enoch. “Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to serving our business community, transforming the economy, and reshaping our education system. Susan’s time at the chamber initiated the economic development program that continues to foster job-creating investment across the Austin region. Susan is more than deserving of this honor and I want to congratulate her on this distinction.”

Susan Dawson is a Texas entrepreneur, business, and civic leader. She founded and leads E3 Alliance, which has been recognized across the country for its groundbreaking work in systemic change for education. Susan has led multiple successful technology firms and served as Chair of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber created the special award in 1984 to recognize significant leaders in the local community who were instrumental in making Austin an even better place to live, work, and do business.

Join us on February 3, 2021 for the Chamber's Annual Meeting as we celebrate Susan as our Austinite of the Year.