RioPlex Initiative Aims to Boost Investment and Prosperity in Texas and Tamaulipas

RioPlex, the new brand to promote the binational region of the Rio Grande Valley, Texas, and northern Tamaulipas, was introduced to business leaders, economic development organizations, and authorities in Harlingen, Texas. This initiative, driven by private enterprise and regional authorities, aims to strategically highlight the competitive advantages of this area to attract investment, development, and prosperity. It covers the U.S. counties of Starr, Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy in Texas, from the city of Roma to Brownsville, and in northern Tamaulipas, from the city of Mier to Matamoros in Tamaulipas.

Joaquín Spamer, the businessman leading RioPlex, explained that this initiative goes beyond a joint promotion campaign, as it is an alliance aimed at prosperity on both sides of the border under the motto USMCA Friendshoring Capital. He emphasized the vision to unify all promotional efforts by various chambers, associations, and business institutions. “We want our region to be known worldwide, for entrepreneurs to see that two countries converge in one region. We offer advantages from logistics with airports, rail lines, international bridges, and seaports, to industries with industrial parks, a skilled workforce, and a high quality of life with competitive salaries, recreation, and multiculturalism.”

Similar projects like BorderPlex Alliance have successfully implemented a unified binational brand. Rolando Pablos, former CEO of BorderPlex Alliance, highlighted that RioPlex will be a benchmark in attracting investments, promotion, prosperity, and growth. “Over the years, we have demonstrated that the best strategy to ensure community and business growth and generate new jobs is to create binational alliances. RioPlex has all the competitive advantages to strengthen this region's economy, and with support from all sectors, it will be very successful.”

Binational Collaboration: The Strength of a Great Region

Mario Reyna, president of the Hidalgo County Prosperity Task Force, participated as a speaker and presenter at the business meeting, where Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez and Harlingen Mayor Norma Sepulveda also spoke. Sepulveda noted, “We don't want projects and investments to go to another region; here lies the future, the growth. We must leverage the collaboration of entrepreneurs and organizations on both sides of the border to benefit our communities.”

Adam González, CEO of the Council for South Texas Economic Progress (Costep), expressed his interest in working together to make this region increasingly prosperous and attractive, based on binational work. He highlighted the efforts made in recent years through Costep to strengthen jobs and attract investments.

Sam Vale, president of Starr-Camargo Bridge Company, emphasized the consolidation and opportunities provided by the union on both sides of the border. This sentiment was echoed by Ramiro Garza, mayor of Edinburg, who spoke about the collaborative efforts of authorities and businesses.

Institutions from Tamaulipas that promote regional economic development also showed their support for RioPlex, such as the Binational Council for Economic Promotion of Reynosa (Cobifer) and the Committee for Economic Development of Matamoros (Codem), emphasizing the importance of unifying efforts on both sides of the border.

These favorable expectations underscore that the new promotional brand for the Rio Grande Valley, Texas, and northern Tamaulipas will be internationally recognized and become a benchmark for economic development.