COSTEP: Empowering Rio South Texas as a Top Investment Destination

The Council for South Texas Economic Progress (COSTEP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the Rio South Texas region with the goal of driving its economic development.

With a strategic focus on attracting businesses and industries, COSTEP was established to unify and promote Rio South Texas as a strong and competitive entity, emphasizing its collective potential rather than viewing it as individual communities.

Its mission is to stimulate economic growth, strengthen regional infrastructure, and open doors to new opportunities and a better quality of life for all the region's residents.

COSTEP is committed to positioning Rio South Texas as an attractive and competitive destination for families and industries.

With a skilled workforce, advanced technology, high-quality educational institutions, and an excellent standard of living, the region offers the ideal conditions for economic and social growth.

Currently, COSTEP is focused on attracting specialized manufacturing operations, with a vision to expand into high-tech industries that create well-paying jobs and opportunities for local engineers and researchers.

To achieve this, COSTEP actively works to promote Rio South Texas both nationally and internationally, highlighting its strengths and its sophisticated academic and industrial ecosystem.

This effort aims to prevent talent migration and establish the region as a hub of development and prosperity for all its residents.

Our Strategic Alliances

COSTEP works closely with key stakeholders in Rio South Texas, including the private sector, academic institutions, economic development organizations, and government authorities, to create an environment conducive to attracting new industries. Recognizing that success in this mission depends on collective efforts, COSTEP actively fosters collaboration with all involved parties.

As a member of the Texas Economic Development Corporation (TxEDC), the economic development arm of the Office of the Governor of Texas, COSTEP enhances the international visibility of Rio South Texas.

This strategic affiliation allows the region to benefit from opportunities generated by foreign companies exploring the possibility of establishing operations in Texas.

By promoting Texas as a land of opportunity, COSTEP also highlights the specific advantages that Rio South Texas offers—a binational region spanning seven counties in Texas (Cameron, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Starr, Webb, Willacy, Zapata) and ten municipalities in Tamaulipas (Camargo, Cd. Guerrero, Cd. Mier, Díaz Ordaz, Matamoros, Miguel Alemán, Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa, Río Bravo, Valle Hermoso).

How Does COSTEP Interact with Local Economic Development Organizations (EDOs)?

COSTEP works closely with local Economic Development Organizations (EDOs) to maximize the impact of its efforts across the region. When identifying a prospect, COSTEP introduces them to the area, showcasing opportunities within the seven counties under its jurisdiction.

Based on the specific requirements of the interested company, COSTEP acts as a strategic bridge, connecting prospects with the Economic Development Corporations (EDCs) of each city. These local organizations take charge of negotiating final agreements and presenting attractive incentive packages.

In this way, COSTEP plays a complementary role, focusing its efforts on areas not covered by other entities and ensuring there is no duplication of initiatives.

How Does COSTEP Drive the Attraction of Strategic Investments?

COSTEP employs a data-driven, strategically focused approach and leverages key connections to attract prospects to the region.
Through its website, it provides detailed information about the workforce, education, population, connectivity infrastructure, and other relevant factors that highlight the region’s potential.
It also offers listings of available properties, including land and buildings, as well as virtual tours of major cities to provide a clear vision of the opportunities.

Additionally, COSTEP maintains relationships with chambers of commerce, embassies, and site selectors in other countries, enabling it to identify strategic prospects.
One of its most effective tools is the FAMTOURs (familiarization tours), during which prospects are invited to visit the area in person. These tours include logistical support such as lodging and travel expenses to ensure visitors experience the region’s advantages firsthand.

Each year, COSTEP organizes three FAMTOURs focusing on different areas: the western, central, and eastern parts of the region, attracting between three and seven site selectors per event. In total, up to 21 site selectors have the opportunity to explore the region’s advantages annually.

Additionally, COSTEP organizes quick tours aimed at individual site selectors or executive teams from companies interested in exploring the local manufacturing and workforce education capabilities.

These activities ensure that prospects can make informed decisions, and once a city is selected, COSTEP facilitates the necessary connections with the corresponding Economic Development Corporation (EDC).

COSTEP also actively collaborates in international trade missions supported by the Texas Economic Development Corporation, with the goal of attracting new businesses to the region. During these missions, COSTEP presents to business organizations from other countries the strategic advantages of the area, highlighting its infrastructure, connectivity, workforce, and binational position, making it an ideal destination for investment and economic development.

Strategic Partners: Driving Regional Economic Development

COSTEP actively participates in more than five annual site selector conferences, reinforcing its presence and attracting key industries.

COSTEP's work program is funded by a network of strategic partners committed to the region’s economic growth. These organizations include banks, consulting firms, employment agencies, accounting firms, the Port of Brownsville, logistics and warehousing companies, among others. Their contributions enable the execution of key initiatives.

Thanks to the collaboration of these strategic partners, COSTEP remains focused on areas not covered by other organizations, maximizing efforts, avoiding duplication, and continuing to create opportunities for the region’s economic development.

COSTEP and RSTEF: Their Contribution to the Community in Economic and Educational Development

COSTEP and RSTEF strengthen the region not only by promoting economic opportunities but also by building a solid foundation of local talent that drives long-term community development.

COSTEP and RSTEF (Rio South Texas Education and Community Development Foundation) are organizations that work collaboratively to enhance the region.
While COSTEP focuses on attracting investments and promoting economic development, RSTEF emphasizes postsecondary education and workforce development.
Although they operate independently, both share the mission of fostering sustainable growth in South Texas.

COSTEP contributes to the community by attracting companies that create quality jobs and collaborates with RSTEF to align industry needs with educational programs. Notable projects such as the robotics and biomedical labs at South Texas College and TSTC exemplify this collaboration, providing students with access to advanced technology and scholarships that prepare them for high-demand careers.

RSTEF plays a crucial role in preventing talent migration, ensuring that students find job opportunities within the region. Its primary focus includes key areas such as healthcare, education (teacher training), manufacturing, technology, innovation, and logistics, preparing the community to meet the current and future demands of the labor market.
On average, RSTEF invests $2 million annually in educational programs.

About COSTEP

Founded in 1972, COSTEP began with financial support from local entrepreneurs and bankers seeking to strengthen the region. In its early years, the organization focused on administering student loans, which not only supported education but also generated sustainable revenue and a solid financial foundation.
Over time, COSTEP evolved into an economic development organization, leveraging its resources to attract new businesses and drive regional growth.
Today, its funding comes from both its historical revenues and sponsors committed to supporting its work program over three- to five-year periods.