Though Houston is primarily known for its oil and gas industries, let it be known that over twenty-four Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in “Space City”. Houston ranks third among areas in Fortune 500 headquarters, behind New York and Chicago, and ahead of Los Angeles, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Minneapolis-St. Paul. The reason business owners are attracted to Houston is due to its pro-growth and pro-business politics. The combination of low taxes, affordable land, and an expanding labor force make a perfect recipe for success. Houston currently ranks number one for job creation in the United States and maintains a very low unemployment rate as a result.

Number 4 on the Fortune 500 list, Phillips 66, is an oil and gas company that employs over 13,500 employees worldwide.  Phillips 66 was founded in Oklahoma in 1913 and only recently relocated to Houston. In 2012, after Phillips 66 split from ConocoPhillips, it moved its operations from the ConocoPhillips headquarters to the city. Back in February, Phillips66’s board of directors approved a $3 billion investment in two facilities just south of Houston that combined, will create 50 permanent jobs in Southeast Texas.

Sysco, number 65 of the Fortune 500, is the world’s largest food distributor. Sysco is an acronym for Systems and Services Company. The company has more than 400,000 clients and management consulting is also an integral part of their services. As of 2005, the company operates over 170 facilities throughout North America. Sysco employs over 30,000 people and is the largest non-oil related company in Houston. According to rankings done by Fortune Magazine in 2010, Sysco is the 7th largest Fortune 500 Company in Texas and 55th largest in the United States. When Sysco merged with US Foods in December of 2013, their combined revenue accounts for a 27% share of last year’s U.S. food-distribution market.

Another notable non-oil Fortune 500 Company is Waste Management, Inc., which specializes in waste management and environmental services throughout North America. Founded in 1971, the company’s network includes 367 collection operations, 355 transfer stations, 273 active landfill disposal sites, 16 waste-to-energy plants, 134 recycling plants, 111 beneficial-use landfill gas projects and six independent power production plants. Waste Management serves over 27 million in residential, industrial, municipal, and commercial sectors though the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

Houston continually fosters a booming economy, is home to America’s thriving energy industry, has affordable housing, and cost of living is significantly lower than other competing metropolitan cities. Throw in a diverse community of people, an interesting restaurant scene, and plenty of creative-types, and it is easy to see why business owners choose set up shop and use Houston corporate housing in this unique Texas City.