South Texas Economic Progress: Spotlight on Regional Advantages

The Council for South Texas Economic Progress (Costep) recently organized a regional familiarization tour in the city of Pharr, aimed at introducing strategic location consultants to the various competitive advantages of the region. The event also offered opportunities for networking with Economic Development Corporations (EDCs) from Pharr, McAllen, Weslaco, and Edinburg.

Connectivity logistics, workforce development, industrial park development, land availability, strategic location, and growth plans were among the topics discussed during the tour. Consultants invited by Costep represented organizations such as Kupperman Location Solutions, The Austin Company, AEP, NCS International, Manuventure LLC, Grupo CIL, Alps Logistics, Trancasa, Emerson, Majestic Int’ Trade Port, Zuko Industrial Construction, and others. These consultants, known as Site Selectors, primarily collaborate with companies in industrial development, energy, transportation, services, construction, and manufacturing industries to help them select the best locations for investing in new projects.

Adam Gonzalez, CEO of Costep, and Rick Carrera, Director of Economic Development at the organization, highlighted the participants' keen interest in leveraging the opportunities offered by nearshoring during the tour.

REGIONAL ADVANTAGES South Texas boasts 20 international bridges across the border with Mexico, with over a dozen designed primarily for commercial activities. Speakers like Victor Perez, CEO of Pharr EDC, and Ralph Garcia, Vice President of Business Recruitment at McAllen EDC, focused on describing cross-border trade opportunities.

Another prominent topic, which has garnered concern in recent years, is the workforce. Raudel Garza, Executive Director of Edinburg EDC, and Carlos Garza, Project Manager at Edinburg EDC, emphasized the region's sufficient supply of skilled labor. They also noted the additional population bonus due to a significant portion of the working-age population being young. Additionally, they highlighted the presence of various universities and educational centers focused on training this demographic.

Steven Valdez, Executive Director of Weslaco EDC, shared that the region offers ample land availability for industrial parks, an undeniable and attractive competitive advantage for investors. He emphasized that this availability extends not only to industrial parks but also to residential developments at affordable prices, catering to the workforce.

Valdez also underscored the incentives offered by cities like his own for companies looking to develop new projects. These incentives include reduced taxes, support for soft landing schemes, and economic bonuses, among others.

Other members of the Economic Development organizations also participated in the tour, including Mark Garcia, Executive Vice President of McAllen EDC; Lilvette Santos, Director of Business Economic Development at Pharr EDC; Janie Cavazos, Manager of Property and Business Development at Pharr EDC; and April Castaneda, Director of Business Development at Weslaco EDC.