That's the official motto of Dallas, but it flies equally well for Texas, America's mammoth second largest state and with a history and spirit of independence to match. Originally a territory of Spain and then Mexico, Texas became its own nation in 1836 before joining the U.S. in 1845; having flown under six different flags, Texas and its people have a fierce attitude of hard-won pride.

Strutting in giant boots, too, is Texas business. In fact, Texas (58 headquarters) just passed New York (55) and California (52) on the Fortune 500 list.

Houston has the most Fortune 500 companies in the state, with 25.

Anchored by Dallas and Fort Worth, the heavily urbanized North Texas Metroplex boasts 19 corporate giants, including Exxon Mobil, Kimberly-Clark--and Plano-based Electronic Data Systems, currently in the news as Hewlett Packard's $14 billion acquiree.

The Metroplex has more than a few billionaires, too. Says Diane Brandon of the Arlington (home of the new under-construction Cowboys' stadium and the 2011 Super Bowl) CVB: "We do not have beaches or mountains. What we do have is the ability to make big money, so that we can travel in style to the beaches and the mountains."

San Antonio can claim four titans, including AT&T and Valero Energy; elsewhere in the state are Dell Inc., Whole Foods, American National Insurance and Anadarko Petroleum.

Business experts say it's a matter of simple economics--Texas attracts companies with its low taxes, affordable land and large labor force. Energy, naturally, is huge, but the state's diverse economy and low, low unemployment is helping to ward off the worst effects of the current economic slowdown.

Starting tomorrow and running through May 25, I will be traveling to the Dallas/Metroplex area, Austin and San Antonio--stay tuned for my daily dispatches on the kings and fast-trackers of the corporate hill in the All-Star State, plus a Texas sports legend or two.

Jeff Heilman

5/14/08