BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Adam Gonzalez, CEO of COSTEP, says the 2023 SelectUSA Investment Summit Spinoff event held in Brownsville last week was a “huge success.”
The all-day event was hosted by the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation. The morning component, held at the Brownsville Museum of Fine Arts, consisted of presentations by GBIC leaders and guest speakers. The afternoon part consisted of a bus tour that included visits to the Port of Brownsville and Brownsville’s industrial parks. The day concluded with a social networking mixer at Terras Urban Mexican Kitchen in downtown Brownsville.
“The SelectUSA Spinoff event in Brownsville was a huge success,” COSTEP’s Gonzalez said. “It wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work and dedication of many individuals and organizations involved in organizing the recent event held in Brownsville, Texas and presented to the world. We applaud their efforts and contributions to promoting the Rio South Texas Region.”
COSTEP stands for the Council for South Texas Economic Progress.
“Congratulations to Ms. Constanza Miner, GBIC’s interim executive director and CEO, Mr. Jerry Briones, GBIC ’s director of international business and industrial park development, and all the GBIC staff for their effort in putting together such a well-organized event,” Gonzalez said.
“These events are incredibly important for promoting the Rio South Texas region and showcasing our many attractions and assets. By attracting visitors and investors to the area, events like this can help to boost the local economy and create new opportunities for businesses and individuals.”
Gonzalez added: “We look forward to seeing continued collaboration and partnership between these organizations as they work together to promote economic development and growth in the Rio South Texas region. Once again, congratulations and major thanks to everyone involved in making this event a success.”
SelectUSA is a federal government program housed within the US Department of Commerce that aims to bring direct foreign investment into the United States.
According to its executive director, Jasjit Singh, SelectUSA has, since its inception, facilitated more than $146 billion in client verified investment projects, supporting more than 166,000 US jobs. “In Fiscal Year 2022, Select USA brought in nearly $40 million in client verified investments, supporting over 34,000 US jobs,” Singh said via a video link.
SelectUSA holds a handful of spinoff events around the country the week before their annual investment summit at National Harbor in Maryland. Brownsville has been selected for three consecutive years.
Perhaps the investor that travelled the furthest in order to be at the Brownsville spinoff event was Yosuke ‘Harry’ Inoue, a corporate officer for IIDA Electronics (TSUSHO), a Japanese company. Inoue had conversations with many of the guest speakers at the event, including Texas Southmost College President Jesús Rodríguez and Griselda Y. Muñoz, senior human resources manager for the southwest value stream at Creative Liquid Coatings. “I had never heard of Brownsville before coming over for the investment summit,” Inoue told the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service. “I am pleased I came.”
The Brownsville spinoff event focused on the automotive, energy, aerospace and defense industries. GBIC’s Briones was emcee for the event with opening remarks from GBIC Chairman John Cowen, Jr.
Helen Ramirez, Brownsville’s city manager, gave a presentation about the importance of SpaceX to the Brownsville economy, as well the latest developments at Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport.
A panel discussion on industry and workforce training comprised TSC’s Rodríguez, Muñoz, of Creative Liquid Coatings, and Jason Wolfe, president and CEO of NovaLink. The discussion was titled “Industry Partner Insights.”
Eduardo Campirano, port director for Brownsville Navigation District, gave a presentation on the latest projects at the Port of Brownsville, including deepening the ship channel, the arrival of a steel fabrication company, and the possibility of two liquefied natural gas export terminals.
Ron Garza, associate vice president for workforce and economic development at UT-Rio Grande Valley, also spoke at the SelectUSA/GBIC event. Garza focused on the work of his department, including a soft landing program for entrepreneurs from overseas.
Eduardo Garza, a representative for the Matamoros Economic Development Committee (CODEM), gave a presentation titled “How To Take Advantage of USMCA.”
And Michele Porrino Perassi, executive director of WTC Industrial, spoke about a giant industrial park his company has built in San Luis Potosí and a potential new industrial park in Brownsville.
Miner, GBIC’s interim executive director and CEO, gave the closing remarks.
“On behalf of the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation and the City of Brownsville, I would like to thank everyone present, especially our esteemed guest speakers, and other local officials, “Miner said. “We hope the information and testimonies shared today will help you realize the opportunities that Brownsville can provide for your business endeavors. Brownsville is open for business. We are on the border by the sea and are definitely destined to go beyond.”
Miner added: “Brownsville is a prime location to do business. We have heard today about all the bountiful resources that we have in this area. We take great pride in being a city with a thriving business climate and outstanding collaborations.”
Here is an audio recording of Miner’s remarks:
Audio
Editor’s Note: The above commentary is the fourth in an 11-part series on the 2023 SelectUSA Investment Summit Spinoff event hosted by GBIC. Part One features some of the commentary provided at the event by Port of Brownsville port director Eduardo Campirano. Click here to read it. Part Two features the commentary of Jasjit Singh, executive director of SelectUSA. Click hereto read it. Part Three features the commentary of GBIC Chairman John Cowen, Jr. Click here to read it.
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