San Luis Potosí Automotive Cluster Visit to the Rio South Texas Region Opens New Opportunities for Manufacturing and Supplier Integration

The Rio South Texas Region welcomed members of the San Luis Potosí Automotive Cluster, who are participating in a strategic tour organized by the Council for South Texas Economic Progress (COSTEP). The initiative aims to strengthen industrial collaboration, talent development, and supply chain integration between Mexico and South Texas.

Activities began in Brownsville, where COSTEP CEO Adam Gonzalez delivered a welcome message to the delegation from San Luis Potosí. Subsequently, Alma Saldaña Cruz, Assistant Director of Economic Development at COSTEP, and Luis Alberto González Olvera, Executive Director of the San Luis Potosí Automotive Cluster, presented a joint vision of the opportunities currently being created by nearshoring, cross-border trade, and industrial collaboration across North America.

Regional Panel: Infrastructure, Talent, and Development Opportunities

As part of the program, a leadership panel was held featuring representatives from across the region, including Beverly Loftus, COO of Harlingen EDC; Ervey González of the Port of Brownsville; Ramiro Alemán and Lea Salazar of Cameron County; and Linda Ufland of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV).

The panel highlighted the region’s logistics capabilities, infrastructure, workforce, and economic development strengths, positioning South Texas as a strategic hub for manufacturing growth and supplier expansion.

Texas Southmost College: Technical Training for the Future of the Automotive Industry

The delegation also visited Texas Southmost College, where Ricardo Treviño delivered a presentation and guided participants through the institution’s advanced training facilities. The visit underscored the critical role of talent development and specialized technical education in meeting the current and future needs of the automotive industry.

Port of Brownsville and SpaceX Development Area

In the afternoon, participants toured the Port of Brownsville, where they learned about its maritime, logistics, and industrial capabilities. The visit also included a tour of the SpaceX development area, allowing the delegation to gain firsthand insight into the aerospace and innovation ecosystem that is driving new investments and strengthening global supply chains.

Representatives of the San Luis Potosí Automotive Cluster participating in the mission included Ricardo Pérez, General Director of Indutermica; Fernanda Centeno, Commercial Coordinator at Logistik Industrial Park; Ricardo Jiménez, General Director of Electrotecnia Plus; Mauricio Galindo, Director of Strategic Projects and Innovation at Reis International; and Gustavo Duay, Commercial Director at Peasa.

Their participation reinforces the connection between manufacturing, logistics, talent development, and innovation as key pillars of regional economic growth.