Economy of Lubbock

Hanslik, who died in 2007 at the age of 90, was called the "dean" of the Lubbock cotton industry, having worked for years to promote the export trade. Hanslik was also the largest contributor (through 2006) to the Texas Tech University Medical Center. He also endowed the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center's capital campaign for construction of a new library museum archives building in La Grange in Fayette County in his native southeastern Texas.

The 10 largest employers in terms of the number of employees are: Texas Tech University, Covenant Health System, Lubbock Independent School District, University Medical Center, United Supermarkets, City of Lubbock, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, AT&T, Convergys, and Lubbock County. A study conducted by a professor at the Rawls College of Business determined that Texas Tech students, faculty and staff generate about $1.5 billion, with about $297.5 million from student shopping alone.

Lubbock has one regional enclosed mall, South Plains Mall, which includes two Dillard's, JC Penney, Barnes & Noble, Sears, Bealls, Premiere Cinemas 16 & IMAX theatre and many other stores.

Lubbock also has numerous open-air shopping centers, most located in the booming southwestern area of Lubbock. The Village and Kingsgate Shopping Centers, both located at the intersection of 82nd Street and Quaker Avenue, offer a unique blend of local and national retailers. The Village is home to Starbucks Coffee, Drest by Scott Malouf, Subway, Ann Lilly Fine Shoes, RenDr Custom Framing and Red Mango, among others. Kingsgate Shopping Center includes numerous upscale shops and restaurants, such as Malouf's, Cake by Distinctive Details, Pei Wei Asian Diner, McAlister's Deli, Marble Slab Creamery, Banana Republic, Coldwater Creek, Woodhouse Day Spa, Chico's, Talbots and Ann Taylor. Lubbock is also home to high-end furniture retailers, such as Spears Furniture, which has been