Texas Gov. Rick Perry has announced plans for the state to invest $1.65 million through the Texas Enterprise Fund to assist Brazil-based Santana Textiles in building a denim manufacturing plant in Edinburg.

Santana Textiles, which has operated since 1945, is South America’s largest denim fabric manufacturer and the fifth-largest such producer in the world, with four manufacturing plants in Brazil and one in Argentina. The company will invest $170 million in its Texas venture, which will employ 800 workers.

“The City of Edinburg is very excited to work with the governor’s office in securing the Texas Enterprise Funds to allow Santana Textiles to come [to the city],” said Edinburg Mayor Joe Ochoa. “The city and the governor’s office worked very hard in convincing this company to locate here. Santana Textiles will bring a lot of jobs and economic development to the City of Edinburg.”

The Texas Enterprise Fund was created by legislation in 2003 to help secure the growth of Texas businesses and to create employment for Texas workers. It has since become one of the state’s most competitive recruitment tools to boost business, according to Gov. Perry’s press office. 

July 8, 2008