By Mario Reyna
Dear RioPlex Members and Supporters,
We are pleased to share a comprehensive update on recent activities and what is on the horizon for our binational corridor initiative.
AmCham Mexico – Semana Nacional de Norteamérica
From May 26–29, 2026, RioPlex members and ambassadors participated in the Semana Nacional de Norteamérica, hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico across four cities — Mexico City, Hermosillo, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. This was a significant opportunity for our delegation to engage directly with binational business leaders, government officials, and industry executives at one of the most strategically important moments for North American economic integration — with USMCA review negotiations underway and the FIFA World Cup 2026 spotlight on the region. Our participation reinforced RioPlex’s presence as a credible voice for the Rio Grande Valley–Northern Tamaulipas corridor in binational conversations happening at the highest levels of the private sector in Mexico.
Getting to Know Each Other – Monthly Member Meetings
One of RioPlex’s greatest strengths is the people around this table. We have launched monthly member meetings designed to do something simple but powerful — give our members the opportunity to meet one another, share what they do, and discover where collaboration and opportunity intersect. These gatherings are informal, relationship-driven, and focused on building the trust that makes a regional business network truly effective. If you have not yet attended one of our monthly meetings, we encourage you to join us. The connections you make here are the foundation of everything RioPlex is working to build.
Brownsville Meeting – Port Update and Member Presentation
Our monthly meeting in Brownsville included a briefing from the Port of Brownsville — one of the most strategically positioned deep-water ports in the nation and a cornerstone asset of the RioPlex corridor. Members gained firsthand insight into the Port’s ongoing development activity, infrastructure investments, and its role in binational trade and industrial growth.
We were also privileged to hear a presentation from RioPlex Board Member Rolando Pablos, a seasoned business executive, attorney, and expert in free trade and economic development who has held high-profile roles including Texas Secretary of State, Chair of the Texas Public Utility Commission, and Chair of the Texas Racing Commission. He was also CEO of the only binational economic development organization in the United States, making him an exceptionally relevant voice for the work RioPlex is undertaking. His perspective on North American trade, cross-border investment, and regional competitiveness brought tremendous value to our members.
Harlingen – Deal Structuring Forum
On March 11, 2026, RioPlex convened regional leaders from banking, government, business, and economic development at the historic Post Office Building at 221 E. Van Buren Avenue in downtown Harlingen for a business networking and deal structuring forum. Speakers included RioPlex Board Member Morgan LaMantia, Harlingen Mayor Norma Sepulveda, Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez, RioPlex Chairman Joaquin Spamer, and financial and economic development experts covering new market tax credits, property tax abatements, tax increment reinvestment zones, and environmental infrastructure finance through the North American Development Bank. Judge Cortez reinforced that our region has a young and growing workforce, strategic access to international trade, and universities and training programs ready to prepare the next generation. This event exemplified the kind of cross-sector collaboration that makes RioPlex a unique and powerful platform for the entire Valley.
New Website Launch
RioPlex has launched its new website at
rioplex.com — a digital platform designed to showcase opportunities, data, and regional collaboration driving growth across the corridor. The site reflects our four core pillars: regional unity with one singular message, investor-focused excellence, strategic promotion of our binational strengths, and collaboration with economic development corporations across the Valley. We encourage all members to visit, share, and use it as a tool in your own business development conversations.
Editor’s Note: The above commentary was penned by Mario Reyna, executive director of RioPlex. The commentary is Part One of a two-part series on RioPlex activity over the past six months. Part Two will feature in our next edition.
