Council for South Texas Economic Progress, COSTEP Rick Carrera: “One Slide That Blows Them Away” at Site Selector Presentations

Rio South Texas region gains momentum with strong demographics, global connectivity, and a regional message that resonates.

At the 2025 Delta Area Summit, Rick Carrera, Director of Economic Development for the Council for South Texas Economic Progress (COSTEP), delivered a compelling presentation that sparked renewed interest in the Rio South Texas region.

Carrera shared what he called the most impactful moment in his presentations to investors and site selectors: a simple slide showing the binational population of the region.

“This is the one that blows them away,” Carrera said, pointing to the map. “Most people don’t realize we’re talking about nearly 3.6 million people in a tightly connected border region.”

The slide details:

• 1.7 million residents in the seven counties north of the Rio Grande in Texas
• 1.9 million residents in ten municipios in northern Tamaulipas, Mexico

More Than Just a Border Community

Carrera emphasized that Rio South Texas region is often misunderstood.

“This isn’t a one-horse town. There’s real critical mass here—population, infrastructure, talent. We’re right in the center of North America, with connectivity across the continent.”

COSTEP’s role is to serve as a regional, neutral point of contact for companies exploring the area. With more than 30 local economic development organizations in the region, Carrera said national and international companies often appreciate having one streamlined entry point.

“We meet with them, take them around, understand their needs. Then we connect them to the right local partners. It’s all about finding the best fit—for the company and the community.”

Demographics: A Powerful Advantage

A key part of the pitch is workforce availability.

“Workforce is the number one issue nationwide,” Carrera said. “But here, we have an outstanding opportunity. We’re one of the youngest regions in the U.S., with an average age under 30 and a growing labor pool.”

Carrera noted that the workforce is not only young and abundant, but largely bilingual, a crucial asset for companies working across borders.

Highlighting Global Assets: Ports and Fortune 500 Companies

Another powerful hook is the Port of Brownsville, which consistently draws attention from site selectors.

“The moment I mention maritime connectivity, they perk up. The Port of Brownsville is a major differentiator for us.”

Carrera also highlights the presence of Fortune 500 companies in Reynosa and Matamoros, such as LG, Caterpillar, Bissell, and Black & Decker—brands that add weight to the region’s manufacturing ecosystem.

“A lot of companies don’t realize the industrial horsepower just across the river. That changes the conversation quickly.”

Creating Awareness Through Data and Familiarization

COSTEP organizes familiarization (Fam) tours, bringing groups of 3–7 site selectors at a time to experience the region firsthand.

“They’ve already seen the data. Now they want to put their feet on the ground and see what’s behind the numbers.”

This boots-on-the-ground approach has helped build credibility and trust in a region that’s often overlooked.

Staying Ahead Amid Uncertainty

Carrera noted that concerns over tariffs had temporarily slowed investment decisions earlier in the year, but interest is picking up again.

“I’m getting more calls now. Companies are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel.”

And with demographics, property availability, bilingual talent, and regional coordination, Carrera believes the region is on the verge of significant growth.

“We’re bringing real value to the table—and companies are noticing.”