McAllen, Texas – At the Rioplex Alliance meeting held last week at McAllen Country Club, Mexican Industry President Sergio Gracia had planned a slideshow presentation highlighting the region's economic vitality.
However, only a few slides were shown due to detailed discussion of the marketing strategies proposed for the new group.
Gracia kindly provided us with a draft of her 56-page slideshow presentation. Rio Grande GuardianThe data shows just how dynamic the region is.
“Border cities are positioned as important logistics, commercial and economic hubs in the region,” the digital brochure states.
The brochure asks, Why Texas? The answer is, “Texas boasts a diverse economy including oil and gas, aerospace, automotive, IT, advanced manufacturing and life sciences. The cost of doing business in Texas is below the national average.”
The brochure, citing the Texas Economic Development Corporation as a source, also notes that Texas has a low cost of living and low taxes.
The second slide also asked the question, why Texas? The answer was, “Texas is the number one exporting state in the United States. Texas has access to a talented workforce. The Texas workforce has a higher average age and is rich in talent.”
According to the digital brochure, Texas' infrastructure and location make it a major hub for domestic and international air, land and sea transportation: “If Texas were a country, it would have the eighth largest economy in the world.” The brochure also states that 50 of the Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in Texas.
Another slide focuses on the region's population: Texas has 30.5 million people, Tamaulipas has 3.5 million, Nuevo Leon has just under 5.8 million, and Coahuila has 3.1 million, according to the brochure.
According to the brochure, the Rioplex region has a population of just under 2.9 million.
Another slide showcases manufacturing companies in the region: “The region currently stands out as a strategic location due to its business environment, support from a highly skilled workforce, strategic location, access to global services and modern infrastructure. Moreover, it has extensive experience in the fields of logistics and manufacturing, making it a most attractive destination for investment and business development,” the brochure reads.
The brochure lists the number of manufacturing companies: 28,000 in Texas, 363 in Tamaulipas, 687 in Nuevo Leon, 394 in Coahuila, and 184 in San Luis Potosí. The total number of graduates is 29,628. The sources of these statistics are Workforce Solutions and INEGI.
The next slide features some of the RioPlex area manufacturing company logos. The list is as follows:
Another slide is titled, “Why invest (in the RioPlex region)?” The answer is:
“The area known as the Rioplex is more than just a geographical name; it is a place of opportunity as vast as the river that crosses it.”
“Since its birth in the mid-19th century as a valley attractive to forward-thinking investors and today one of the most important economic centers in North America, the Rio Grande Valley has paved the way for success and opportunity.
“We are a community that not only looks to the future, but actively builds it.
“We are committed to innovation, excellence and international collaboration.
“Together as a region, we will write the next page in our story of opportunity, growth and shared success.”
The brochure also describes the region's strong manufacturing base.
“We are a manufacturing community. Three generations of our residents have been involved in manufacturing. The first maquiladora company in the area was established in 1966 and the first electronics company began operations in 1967.”
“We have been experts in logistics, foreign trade and goods transportation since 1870.
“We are a community that knows how to work within the timelines required by manufacturing companies around the world.”
More than 20 countries are represented in the region's manufacturing base.
Regarding the population of the region, the brochure states that the RGV has a population of 1.37 million and Northern Tamaulipas has a population of 1.5 million, which gives the total population of the region at 2.88 million.
“Our land, sea, rail and air connectivity positions us as a nexus of commercial exchange and serves as a bridge between America and the rest of the world,” the slide on connectivity states.
South Texas is served by three Class 1 railroads: Union Pacific, BNSF, and CPKC. On the Mexican side is Kansas City Southern.
The seaports listed in the brochure are the Port of Brownsville, the Port of Harlingen and the Port of Matamoros.
Regarding air routes, the brochure states: “The region is home to seven international airports, five of which are dedicated to commercial airlines. This airport network serves as a vital link between the region and major cities and commercial centers.” The seven airports are located in McAllen, Harlingen, Brownsville, Edinburg, Weslaco, Reynosa and Matamoros.
As for international bridges, the brochure states that there are 13 bridges in the Rioplex region.
“With 13 international bridges, this region stands out as a dynamic logistics hub. 20 percent of border crossings from Mexico into Texas pass through this region. 13 percent of border crossings from Mexico into the United States pass through this region.”
According to the brochure, the region is number one in agricultural trade, with 41 cold storage companies and 350 produce companies. Key products include avocados, berries, peppers, pineapples, citrus fruits, dates, fresh and chilled tomatoes, asparagus and pumpkins.
According to the brochure, the region has 59 industrial parks, 35 on the US side and 24 on the Mexican side. Strategic sectors include automotive, electrical and electronics, aerospace and medical.
The document also lists higher education institutions, hospital systems, sports and entertainment.
