Economic Development Organizations in South Texas and northern Tamaulipas launch major industrial alliance

Representatives from economic development organizations in South Texas and northern Tamaulipas have joined forces to implement strategies aimed at positioning the region as a prime destination for new investments in the manufacturing industry.

During a recent meeting held at the UTRGV Center for Innovation and Commercialization in Weslaco, Texas, leaders from organizations such as COSTEP, McAllen EDC, Rioplex, CANACINTRA, Workforce Solutions, Harlingen EDC, Cameron County, Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation, and Weslaco EDC, among others, engaged in strategic dialogue with David Márquez, Executive Director of Economic and Community Development for Bexar County.

Márquez shared successful strategies implemented through the Texas-Mexico Automotive Supercluster (TMASC), highlighting the attraction and consolidation of major corporations such as Toyota, General Motors, Caterpillar, and Navistar along a strategic corridor extending from Dallas, Fort Worth, and Austin in Texas to Monterrey and Saltillo in Mexico.

The leaders of the South Texas Valley aim to align themselves with TMASC’s strategy, enabling local manufacturers to integrate into the supply chains of large-scale industrial players.

Mario Reyna, Executive Director of Rioplex, noted that participants are considering the formation of a regional cluster that could become part of TMASC, with the goal of jointly promoting the region and encouraging the arrival of new investments.

“This meeting is just the beginning of a broader effort. It’s not only about the automotive sector but also about other strategic industries such as logistics, aerospace, and more,” Reyna emphasized.

David Márquez also underscored the importance of identifying regional strengths and working closely with the education sector to ensure a qualified and sufficient workforce to support the establishment, growth, and long-term success of new industrial enterprises.

Notable attendees included Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez; Cameron County Economic Development Director Ramiro Alemán; UTRGV Vice President of Workforce & Economic Development Ron Garza; Ralph García and Susie Flores of McAllen EDC; Jane Lozano of Harlingen EDC; John Hershey of Workforce Solutions; Jorge Lozano of Weslaco EDC; Griselda Muños of GBIC; Sergio Gracia of México Industry and ProTexas Industry; as well as Adam Gonzalez and Rick Carrera of COSTEP. Also in attendance were Guillermo Lash of CANACINTRA Nacional and Oscar Farias of CANACINTRA Matamoros.