BROWNSVILLE, Texas – It might seem strange to see the executive director of San Benito Economic Development Corporation celebrate a freight forwarding company move into an industrial park in Brownsville.
However, when that person is Ramiro Aleman it is not strange at all.
Aleman worked on the project to bring the AMFCO Group to the North Brownsville Industrial Park when he was director of business recruitment, retention and expansion for the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation.
The owners of AMFCO, Luis and Cesar Rodriguez, invited Aleman to their groundbreaking ceremony.
“I came along today because this has been my project from the very beginning,” Aleman told the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service. “We have been working on this project for about four years and so I am very proud.”
Aleman said he attended the groundbreaking ceremony to show his support for the Rodriguez brothers.
“I am here to support Luis and Cesar. They invited me to come because they know we worked together very closely on this project from the beginning. Getting to see it now, with the dirt actually moving, it gives me a lot of pride. It shows me that although I am not in Brownsville any more, my legacy and the things I did are still here. And the people that are going to have the jobs here, I helped them out. It feels really good for me.”
Aleman added: “Luis and Cesar are really good to work with. It is really exciting to see the project start.”
Aleman was officially confirmed as executive director of San Benito EDC on Sept. 7, 2022. In a news release, the SBEDC’s board of directors said that throughout his 16‐year career Aleman has “successfully lead initiatives in all aspects of economic development including recruitment, international business development, business retention and expansion. In the process, he has collaborated with officials at the federal, state, county and municipal level. He has also built strong relationships with business leaders in Mexico.”
The news release pointed out that Aleman has worked on several high‐profile projects in the area. He was selected to serve as the project manager of the construction of a cold room inspection area at the Free Trade Bridge at Los Indios.
Also, working with AEP Texas and Valley International Airport, he managed the site certification process for the Aerotropolis Industrial Park. The Aerotropolis was only the second certified site in the nation and first in Texas through the AEP Site Certification program.
Aleman also served as project manager of the master planning and development of the Interstate 169 Industrial Park, a 730 acre rail served industrial park.
Julian J. Rios is board president at San Benito EDC. He said Aleman has successfully recruited a variety of companies from national chain restaurants to major manufacturers and even back‐office operations. He said he has also helped companies expand, overcome workforce challenges, upgrade infrastructure, and obtain state incentives.
“We are pleased to welcome Mr. Aleman to the San Benito EDC. I believe his knowledge of the region will help San Benito businesses excel and continue to grow our city by bringing in new businesses,” Rios said.
Aleman said San Benito has great potential. Nestled in the heart of Cameron County, the city is close to both Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico. With a low cost of living, an interstate highway and direct access to an international bridge, San Benito is the perfect place to live, work, play and invest, Aleman explained.
“I believe San Benito has the potential to attract major investments that will improve the quality of life of its citizens. Strategically located in Cameron County and with assets like Interstate 69, the railroad main line and the Los Indios International Bridge, San Benito offers companies a prime location,” Aleman said.
Aleman earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management with a concentration in International Business from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He also earned an Associate Degree in Computer Science Technology from Texas State Technical College and is a member of the International Economic Development Council, the IEDC International Advisory Committee and the Texas Economic Development Council. He serves as Vice Chairman of the Rio South Texas Economic Council.
Editor’s Note: For more information about developing in San Bentio, call Ramiro Aleman at 956-626-1350.
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