Regional Economy
Barnett Shale
As the birthplace of modern hydraulic fracturing, the Barnett Shale transformed U.S. energy production.
April 08, 2026
Southwest Economy
Ciudad Juarez retools amid job losses
Ciudad Juarez, across the Rio Grande from El Paso, lost nearly one-fifth of its manufacturing jobs over a two-year period. The decline reflects the city’s move into higher value-added, less labor-intensive production of electronics and hardware demanded for the U.S.’s burgeoning data center build-out.
April 08, 2026
Texas Employment Forecast
The Texas Employment Forecast indicates jobs will increase 1.9 percent in 2026, with an 80 percent confidence band of 1.1 to 2.7 percent.
April 03, 2026
Southwest Economy
Region’s commercial space exploration industry has lofty goals for growth, discovery
Texas' booming private space industry is making access to space broader and cheaper than ever before.
April 01, 2026
Economic Surveys
Texas Service Sector Outlook Survey
Texas service sector activity was little changed in March, according to business executives responding to the Texas Service Sector Outlook Survey.
March 31, 2026
Economic Surveys
Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey
Texas factory activity continued to rise in March, but at a slower pace than the previous month, according to business executives responding to the Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey.
March 30, 2026
Economic Surveys
Agricultural Survey
Bankers responding to the first-quarter survey reported slightly worsening conditions across most of the Eleventh District.
March 23, 2026
Southwest Economy
Texas multifamily housing yet to stabilize; downside risks remain
A fair amount of excess supply remains in some markets, and new properties are facing longer lease-up timelines.
March 23, 2026
Special Report
Taiwan firms key to nearshoring and reshoring to support AI boom
While China’s trade and investment with Mexico have attracted significant attention, Taiwan firms’ investment in both Mexico and Texas is arguably more significant for the evolution of U.S.–Mexico production networks.
March 06, 2026
Southwest Economy
Construction firms navigate cost, demand challenges in postpandemic era
Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America, discusses the state of commercial construction in Texas and the U.S., including ongoing office and data center activity.
February 27, 2026