Site selection consultants visit the Rio South Texas Region, guided by COSTEP familiarization tour

Site selection consulting firms interested in the Rio South Texas Region visited the city of Laredo, Texas, as part of a familiarization tour organized by the Council for South Texas Economic Progress (COSTEP).

From April 22 to 24, representatives from four site selection firms explored the competitive advantages, infrastructure, and incentives offered by the binational region of Laredo, Texas, and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas. The tour included presentations from business leaders, academic institutions, and government officials from both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.

The event began with a warm welcome and a comprehensive overview of the Rio South Texas Region delivered by Rick Carrera, Director of Economic Development at COSTEP. He highlighted the binational region’s unique competitive strengths.

To provide a more detailed look into Laredo, Texas, the following experts presented their insights:

• Alma Saldaña, Marketing Manager at Port Laredo
• Miriam Castillo, Economic Development Director for the City of Laredo
• Gilberto Sanchez, Director of the Laredo International Airport
• David Steadman, CEO of the Laredo Economic Development Corporation
• Gene Lindgren, Development Manager at Talise
• Dr. Luis A. Pérez-Batres, Texas A&M International University
• Rogelio Treviño, Workforce Solutions
• Humberto Hernández, Laredo College
• Elsa Hinojosa, Director of Bridges in Laredo, Texas

On the Mexican side, the following representatives provided key insights into the capabilities and offerings of Nuevo Laredo:

• Carlos Montoya, CODEIN
• Guillermo Fernández de Jáuregui Velasco, Onilog Group

A Global Vision for the Closing Day

On the third day of the tour, the consultants visited strategic areas of the Laredo Customs zone, including the World Trade Bridge (Bridge III), where they were guided by Chief Luis Lozano from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Additionally, the group received an in-depth presentation on the availability, infrastructure, and logistics advantages of industrial parks in Laredo, Texas, from Mike Rodríguez of FORUM CRE.

With this annual familiarization tour, COSTEP reinforces its commitment to positioning the Rio South Texas Region as a strategic hub for manufacturing, logistics, energy, and workforce development. By providing site selection consultants with firsthand knowledge of the region’s advantages, incentives, labor force, and connectivity, COSTEP supports informed decision-making for businesses exploring expansion or relocation.