These past 40 days have been quite the opposite of our norm. COVID-19 has forced us to work remotely, cancel or reschedule visits, conducting virtual tours and introductions.
The McAllen Economic Development Corporation team adapted well and continued conducting Business Retention visits over the phone, email, and virtual meetings. As of May 4th, we have had full staff while practicing the recommended health measures at the MEDC office.
Every company and industry were affected in their unique way. Numerous companies were affected in areas of staffing, production, demand or lack of, and countless national and regional procedures.
All companies within the McAllen market shifted employee staffing and plant layout to follow safe social distancing. Depending on the company, production has been affected to varying degrees.
In contrast, other companies shifted their focus to producing the products to support PPE or the demands of pandemic necessities. In Reynosa, companies also created stricter measures for staff and employees who continued to report to work, also creating a lower production output.
Most recently, Mexico has begun to totally shut down some factories deemed non-essential under their Secretary of Health COVID Decree.
MEDC continues to focus on retaining and growing business in McAllen while advocating for our region. For example, I want to encourage you to share with your neighbors, friends, and staff that our 2020 Census continues to collect decennial data that is crucial for growing our region over the next ten years. If you don’t fill our your Census form and be counted you will taking funding away from our region. Remember, you can respond online, by mail, or by personal interview at your home with an enumerator that will call on you.
Additionally, MEDC is partnering with CoStep on a survey of the region. Please take a few moments to fill out the survey that will assist in creating the Rise of Our Region campaign to grow South Texas. For business owners and community leaders, we ask that you share this information via social media and email correspondence with your staff and customers. The MEDC team looks forward to reaching a new norm with you throughout 2020.
Editor’s Note: The above commentary was based on a recent monthly memo McAllen Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Keith Patridge wrote for the group’s monthly newsletter. The Rio Grande Guardian will have new memo from Patridge in the coming weeks. Patridge can be reached via: [email protected]
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