Houston's port is the largest in terms of international tonnage handled, and third in terms of trade value. That means a great deal of international business and trade.
That means even more jobs.
It's also exceptionally business friendly, and is the only major U.S. city without zoning laws.
That port itself, along with Houston's strength in the energy sector and proximity to Latin America, enticed more than 100 foreign-owned companies to either expand, start new businesses, or relocate to Houston between 2008 and 2010.