The report says Texas must ante up money to play the incentive game; do a better job of marketing itself; improve job training; and recommends the governor be more directly involved in economic development efforts.

Perryman, whose firm is the Waco-based Perryman Group, compiled the report at no charge at the request of Texas Economic Development, the agency in charge of attracting businesses to Texas and helping Texas companies grow. For previous story, click here

Joe Newman, president and CEO of the Bastrop Economic Development Corp., says the recommendations strike a chord, especially in regard to job training. "We really need a good work-force training program," he says. "One of the first things companies look at is, 'Where are my workers going to be and how are we going to train them.'"