Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, also hit hard by the oil and gas woes of the mid-1980s, is mirroring Houston's comeback. "Corpus Christi has diversified and grown. We've emphasized tourism, and now we are the second most visited tourist spot in Texas," said Esther Dillard of the Greater Corpus Christi Business Alliance. "QualiTech Steel Corp. this year is building a $125 million iron ore reduction facility -- the first iron carbide plant on U.S. soil."

At the Port of Corpus Christi, the sixth largest in the country, a $38.3 million expansion project is under way to increase cargo handling volume. Corpus Christi is also becoming a call center base, with four major companies recently opening or announcing plans to move to the coastal city. Among them: Illinois-based APAC TeleServices and Sitel Corp.

While other cities across the country are reeling from military downsizing, Dillard said Naval Station Ingleside and Naval Air Station Corpus Christi have added more than 1,000 to their payrolls this year. Five Corpus Christi area refinery expansion projects also are under way.

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