Industrial Parks

McAllen has a total of 6 Industrial Parks: McAllen Southwest Industrial Area, Sharyland, Tres Puentes, Botelo, and McAllen Nearshoring Campus, which include the following industries: Automotive, Aerospace, Advanced Manufacturing, Medical Research, Cold Storage and Food Processing, Customer Contact Center, and Data Centers. The McAllen-Reynosa Binational Region makes up a total of 18 Industrial Parks.

Industrial parks in McAllen, Texas, play a significant role in the region’s economic growth and development. These parks are home to a manufacturing labor force of 136,000, and a young and growing population with a median age of 29 years.

In addition, McAllen has a thriving aerospace industry that employs over 3,000 people. The region is home to General Electric Aviation which refurbishes jet engine component parts and SpaceX which is designing the Mars Space Shuttle.

McAllen, Texas, boasts strong road connectivity, essential for both local residents and businesses. Two key highways, U.S. Route 83 (US 83) and U.S. Route 281 (US281) provides efficient transportation through the region, facilitating trade and mobility.

US 83 runs through the heart of the city and US 281 runs through the city from the Red River border of Oklahoma and Texas in the north to the Rio Grande border in the south, passing through Wichita Falls, San Antonio, and McAllen.

Additionally, McAllen city is actively working on initiatives to improve road connectivity in the area. For example, the Hidalgo County Loop, a toll road project led by the Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority.

The McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge plays a crucial role in supporting the regional economy by handling commercial traffic generated by industries that depend on efficient logistics for the transportation of goods. This border crossing, which operates 24/7, facilitates the movement of both people and cargo between McAllen, Texas, and Reynosa, Mexico. It serves as a vital entry point to key Mexican cities such as Reynosa, Tamaulipas, and Monterrey, Nuevo León.

This bridge is the only international port of entry in the area equipped with a pedestrian crossing. It features nine southbound lanes, including a dedicated EZ Cross Lane for faster processing and a separate lane for pedestrian traffic, making it highly accessible for both travelers and commercial operations.

In addition to the McAllen-Hidalgo Bridge, McAllen benefits from the nearby Anzalduas International Bridge, which provides even quicker access to major Mexican cities, further strengthening the region's economic ties with Mexico.

McAllen, Texas, boasts a robust air connectivity network through McAllen International Airport (MFE), one of the busiest airports in the Rio Grande Valley region, contributing significantly to the city’s economic growth. The airport is serviced by major commercial airlines such as American Airlines, Allegiant, United Airlines, Delta, Aeromexico, and Volaris, offering direct flights to key destinations including Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Austin, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Orlando, Mexico City, and Cancún.

This comprehensive air network not only facilitates international trade but also bolsters business and leisure tourism. With the presence of cargo airlines, McAllen International Airport serves as a vital hub for cross-border commerce, providing access to various markets and solidifying the region’s strategic role in global supply chains. The airport’s connectivity makes McAllen a key player in promoting both regional and international economic activities, enhancing its appeal as a business and tourist destination.

McAllen, Texas, due to its strategic location, stands to benefit from the connectivity offered by nearby ports, such as the Port of Harlingen and the Port of Brownsville. Situated about 35 miles from McAllen, the Port of Harlingen is accessible within a 40-minute drive, providing a vital route for regional industries to facilitate imports and exports via maritime channels along the Gulf of Mexico.

Further southeast, approximately 62 miles away, lies the deep-water Port of Brownsville. This port plays a crucial role in logistics, serving key industries like agriculture, energy, and manufacturing. Brownsville's infrastructure supports large-scale commercial operations, enhancing the region’s economic competitiveness.

Together, these ports bolster McAllen's role as a critical component of Texas's global supply chain, enabling efficient transport of goods and driving economic growth in the area.

Rail connectivity plays a key role in the commercial and economic development of McAllen, Texas. The Rio Valley Switching Company (RVSC), a short-line railroad, operates extensively in the region, extending 55 miles westward to Mission, Edinburg, and McAllen's Foreign Trade Zone, and another 11 miles northwest to Santa Rosa. This line supports the movement of both industrial and agricultural products, contributing to regional commerce.

With access to Union Pacific Railroad's network, RVSC enhances regional and cross-border connectivity with Mexico, facilitating efficient freight transportation across key markets. The strategic positioning of McAllen as a trade hub, combined with RVSC's services, supports industrial growth and the logistical needs of the Rio Grande Valley, further solidifying McAllen's role in international trade.