Governor Greg Abbott joined Nasdaq for a virtual closing bell ceremony at the Alamo on March 5. This event commemorated the 190th anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo and highlighted Texas’ economic growth.
Abbott emphasized that Texas ranks first in the nation for financial sector employment and leads in capital investment and capital markets, according to a press release.
“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,” Abbott said. “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.”
Abbott shared the virtual ceremony with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Nasdaq Chair and CEO Adena Friedman, Nasdaq Texas head Rachel Racz, and other Texas business leaders.
Nasdaq announced in November that it was launching Nasdaq Texas, a new dual listing venue to expand services statewide and create more investment opportunities for U.S. investors.
Abbott noted that Nasdaq now operates fully in Texas to serve companies across the state. The expansion underscores Nasdaq’s partnership with Texas to foster a free-market ecosystem and bolster the state’s role as a national and global economic powerhouse.
Texas has drawn more than 325 corporate headquarters and hosts 54 Fortune 500 companies under Abbott’s tenure. As the world’s eighth-largest economy, the state employs the nation’s biggest financial services workforce, outpacing New York.
Last March, Abbott attended a Nasdaq luncheon that announced the company’s new regional headquarters in Dallas.
