@instructor2121 | @xtrodinarypilot | @ned

Why would @Ned choose Texas?

Well I'll take a shot at answering this question after listing these "Alternative Facts."

If Texas were a nation, it would be the 10th largest economy in the world.

Texas would rank 3rd in the world in the 2016 Summer Olympics if we were a country. Out of the 46 medals won, 26 are back here in Texas. That is according to the Texas Economic Development Corporation.

Design and Capacity

Texas Advantage

Design at the core: Computer Systems Design & Services employs 69 percent of the state's industry employment and is continually growing. Online services, such as cloud computing, make computer systems design critical to government, education and business across industries. Within the sector, computer systems design services, which includes all types of outsourcing and consulting firms and a growing number of cyber security companies, dominates in terms of both firms and workers.

Making the world safe for computing: San Antonio has emerged as a cyber security national center of excellence, beginning over 20 years ago with security operations at Kelly Air Force Base. In 2009, the U.S. Air Force activated the 24th Air Force, also known as the Air Force Cyber Command, at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, with the objective of protecting Air Force operations and preparing for future cyber wars. The city is also home to the National Security Agency's (NSA) Texas Cryptology Center and NSA data center, as well as approximately 80 defense contractors – with many focused on information security.

#1 data processing and hosting employer: Texas data centers serve U.S. and global hosting providers and customers numbering in the millions. The state is one of the nation's top locations for data centers because of its centralized location, reasonable power costs, independent energy grid, favorable weather and skilled workforce. Data Processing and Hosting (DPH) accounts for 17 percent of the state's IT services employment. It includes companies offering data processing and hosting services, as well as Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Web search portals. In 2010, one out of approximately every 10 U.S. DPH workers was employed in Texas and one out of approximately every 13 U.S. DPH firms was located in Texas, according to Bureau of Labor and Statistics data. Texas House Bill 1841 improves the Texas business climate for hosting and data center companies. The bill states that an individual or business whose only activity in the state is Internet hosting is not "engaged in business" in the state and therefore does not have to collect Texas sales and use taxes from customers. In 2013, the 83rd Texas Legislature approved a data center incentive for state sales and use tax necessary and essential to the operation of a qualified data center.

The games start here: Texas has a robust software publishing presence, with a special focus in computer games. The latest data from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), a national industry group, indicates that Texas ranks #2 nationally for computer and video game employment, with over 13,600 individuals directly and indirectly employed by the industry. Texas is home to 159 video gaming companies employing over 4,500 industry professionals, according to the Texas Film Commission. Austin has the highest levels of the state's sector employment, with 3,237 game industry jobs. Dallas ranks #2 with 1,051 jobs, followed by Houston with 200.

Broadcasting content around the world: The Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) attracts major players in web-based services such as Internet publishing and broadcasting companies, web search portal operators and specialized telecommunications service companies such as Internet Service Providers. Major players are doing business in Texas, including some of the world's largest news and publishing companies, as well as a number of major telecommunications and Internet firms, such as AT&T, Verizon, Amazon.com, News Corporation and Google.

TEF cordially invites: The Texas Enterprise Fund offers valuable assistance when web businesses seek expansion opportunities. In 2010, Former Gov. Rick Perry announced a $1.4 million TEF investment for California-based Facebook to create a sales and operations office in Austin, the social media giant's first major U.S. expansion. Facebook doubled its Austin office space in 2011. In April 2011, a $2.8 million TEF investment was awarded to eBay Inc. for the expansion of various eBay Inc. business units, including PayPal units currently located in Austin.

TEF Award Listing – All Projects to Date (as of August 31, 2017) »
 

According to @Xtrodinarypilot

Texas has no state income tax.

Texas has the second largest GDP in the USA and 1 of largest in the world.

Texas has the same size economy as all of Canada. Think about that

Texas leads the nation in natural gas resources. We also have a thriving wind turbine economy.

Texas has it's own gold bullion depository. Can you say that about your state?

Texas has the lowest unemployment rate in the country. GET TO WORK!

Texas is home to @XtrodinaryPilot and who doesn't want to be in close proximity to him?

I have owned a host of successful businesses in Texas. I am hoping to see Steemit Inc and Blockchain technology take a foothold in this state. Although the topic of digital currencies seem to be dominated by libertarians and anarchists, this technology can change the world for all schools of thought. Texas has a cornucopia of diverse thinkers that can help expand this platform and other blockchain technologies into the mainstream. Like they say...

TO THE MOON

Which reminds me, when Apollo 11 landed on the lunar surface, where was mission control? It was in Houston, TX. Need I say more?

@xtrodinarypilot | @andrarchy | @tygergamer

A huge thanks to @RichardCrill and @lindseylambz for putting on this meetup. Hope you guys have more pics because I did more listening than snapping.