Republican Gov. Rick Perry was all smiles and thumbs-up Thursday when he accepted the "Gov.'s Cup" trophy from Site Selection magazine.

The publication gave the award to Texas for having secured the most job creation announcements in the nation in 2004.

Perry used the occasion to make another pitch for further funding of his Texas Enterprise Fund, which the magazine cited as a $295 million tool that was central to the state's ability to attract companies.

Perry has asked the Legislature to infuse an additional $300 million into the fund for the coming two years. He also wants lawmakers to spend another $300 million on a new program to nurture research and job creation in high-tech industries.

"The enterprise fund is the bright neon sign that is letting employers around the world know that Texas is wide open for business and job creation," Perry said.

Site Selection also ranked Dallas-Fort Worth as the top metropolitan area in the nation for securing job announcements, with 277 last year.

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