DALLAS-Since the early days of February, business headlines inTexas and California have been focused on efforts by Texas Governor RickPerry to woo California businesses to the Lone StarState. Much has been made in the Texas media about the millionsspent by the governor's office on public relations and advertisingin the Golden State in attempts to lure businesses there to theLone Star State.

But experts tell GlobeSt.com that thegovernor's promotion activities haven't really been necessary. Theeastward migration of businesses to Texas from California has beenin play for quite some time now. "This has been a phenomenon we'veexperienced during the past 10 years," notes MikeLewis, co-founder and principal with Dallas-basedVelocis Partners. "But it's been getting strongerrecently." Transwestern senior vice presidentLarry Mendez, who is based in San Antonio,pinpoints the increase of California business in Texas from beforethe recent financial crash, though acknowledges that there seems tobe more interest than ever these days. Adds TomPearson, executive vice president with ColliersInternational's Dallas office: "The governor really didn't need todo this; there are plenty of people promoting Texas and coming hereright now."

Governor Perry's office didn't respond to requests for aninterview, however, commercial real estate experts throughout Texaswere more than happy to weigh in on the issue of businessrelocation. "This has been happening in all the major markets inTexas," remarks Lewis. "There has been good, positive growth out ofCalifornia."