The missions of San Antonio play an important part in defining the city’s culture. Their presence also helps drive the city’s hospitality and tourism industry. In 2009, over 1.7 million people visited Missions Concepción, San José, San Juan, and Espada in San Antonio. Collectively, these missions and associated features—including acequias (irrigation canals), labores (farm lands), dam and aqueduct, and the single remaining rancho (mission ranch) —comprise the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. In 2009, park visitors, along with staffing, construction and maintenance activities, and other aspects of park operations, contributed nearly $98.8 million to the local economy and sustained 1,116 jobs in the region.

Download the Report here.

In less than three years of development, the Eagle Ford Shale already accounts for over six percent of the Gross Regional Product for the 24-countySouth Texas area it encompasses, according to a study released today by the Center for Community and Business Research at the University of Texas at San Antonio Institute for Economic Development.

“The Eagle Ford Shale may be one of the largest onshore natural gas and oil discoveries in the past half century,” said Dominique Halaby, the center’s director. “In 2010 alone, this newest of the Texas shale plays generated close to $2.9 billion in revenue, supported approximately 12,600 full-time jobs in the area, and provided nearly $47.6 million in local government revenue.”

Download the Report

To assist the State of Texas in understanding the economic impact of Texas businesses with fewer than 100 employees, the Office of the Governor contracted with CCBR to prepare Little Companies, Big Impact: The Economic Impact of Texas Businesses with Fewer Than 100 Employees.

This report focuses on several areas, from understanding the relative importance of high-growth clusters in Texas to determining the import role small businesses play in the state’s economy. Central to our report is the quantifying of the total impact small businesses with fewer than 100 employees have on the Texas economy. We estimate the 377,374 firms which comprise this category to have a total production impact of over $915 billion. In addition, a series of maps presented that depict the relative importance of various industries by Council of Government area. Also discussed is the relationship between a counties’ median household income and the presence of various small business establishments.

Understanding the relationship between income distribution, business concentration, and economic contribution is a key element in developing a strategy to promote small business creation and foster economic growth.

Executive Summary

Technical Report #1

Technical Report #2