Galveston

Galveston, long the island playground of urban Houston, today wants to be a growing business hub. The island's Seawall, which attracted 6.5 million tourists last year, recently underwent the state's first beach renourishment project. That improvement has already translated into $28 million worth of construction on relocations, renovations or newly built businesses, the Galveston Economic Development Corp. reports.

The island city is also home to the deep-water Port of Galveston, which already handles a variety of commodities at its 30 piers and has become a center for the associated businesses of marine services, construction, marine transfer and other activities. The growing University of Texas Medical Branch serves as the island's largest employer, with more than 10,000 on its payroll alone.

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