Governor Greg Abbott participated in a virtual closing bell ceremony with Nasdaq to mark the 190th anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo and highlight Texas’ position in financial leadership. The event underscored Texas’ economic growth and its expanding role in the national financial sector.
“Texas now ranks number one for having more employees working in the financial sector than any other state in the entire country, and Texas ranks number one for capital investment, number one for capitalism itself, and hence, it’s only right that Texas is ranked number one for the capital markets that drive capitalism and the entire economic system,” said Governor Abbott. “We are proud that Nasdaq does business and has a location here in the great state of Texas. Texas will lead the way in protecting capitalism and all that it can achieve in the United States of America.”
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Nasdaq Chair and CEO Adena Friedman, Nasdaq Texas head Rachel Racz, and other business leaders from across Texas also attended the virtual ceremony.
Nasdaq recently announced plans to launch its own financial exchange in Texas, called Nasdaq Texas. This new dual listing venue aims to broaden services throughout the state and increase investment opportunities for U.S. investors. At the ceremony, Governor Abbott noted that Nasdaq is now fully operational within Texas and ready to support companies statewide. He described this development as an example of partnership between Nasdaq and Texas, which he said would reinforce a free-market environment and strengthen both state and national economies.
Under Governor Abbott’s leadership since his election in 2014 [source], more than 325 corporate headquarters have moved to Texas, which now hosts 54 Fortune 500 companies. The state has become home to the largest financial services workforce in America—surpassing New York—and is recognized as having one of the world’s largest economies.
The Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott has focused on job creation, economic opportunity expansion, educational improvements, protection of individual liberties, parental involvement in education policy decisions, and border security [source]. During this period, record employment levels have been reached [source].
In March last year, Governor Abbott joined Nasdaq at a luncheon announcing their new regional headquarters opening in Dallas. In 2023 he rang Nasdaq’s closing bell virtually to celebrate milestones related to economic achievement with representatives from Nasdaq Inc.
Governor Abbott was named among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People list in 2024 [source]. His office continues operating out of Austin’s State Insurance Building while delivering services across all regions of Texas [source].
Additional photos from today’s ceremony are expected to be released soon.
