McALLEN, Texas - At a RioPlex Alliance meeting at the McAllen Country Club last week, Mexico Industry President Sergio Gracia had a slideshow presentation planned that highlighted the economic vitality of the region.
However, only a few slides were shown due to an in-depth discussion on a suggested marketing strategy for the new group.
Gracia kindly provided a draft copy of his 56-page slideshow presentation to the Rio Grande Guardian. The data shows just how dynamic the region is.
“Across the region, border cities are positioned as important logistical, commercial, and economic centers,” the digital brochure states.
The brochure asks why Texas? It gives this answer: “Texas has a diverse economy: oil and gas, aerospace, automotive, IT technologies, advance manufacturing, and life sciences. The cost of doing business in Teas is below the national average.”
Texas also has a low cost of living and tax rate, the brochure states, citing the Texas Economic Development Corporation as its source.
A second slide also asked why Texas. The answer: “Texas is the No. 1 exporting state in the United States. Texas has access to top labor talent. The Texas workforce has a longer average and boasts a vast talent.”
Due to its infrastructure and location, Texas is a major hub for national and international air, ground and ocean shipping, the digital brochure states. “If Texas was a country it would be the 8th economy of the world.” And it is host to the headquarters of 50 Fortune 500 companies, the brochure states.
Another slide focused on the region’s population. Texas’ population is 30.5 million, Tamaulipas’ population is 3.5 million, Nuevo León’s population is just under 5.8 million, and Coahuila’s population is 3.1 million, the brochure states.
The RioPlex region’s population is just under 2.9 million, the brochure states.
Another slide features the region’s manufacturing companies. “The region currently stands out as a strategic hub due to its business environment, supporters by a highly skilled workforce, strategic location, access to global services and modern infrastructure. In addition, it has extensive experience in logistics and manufacturing, which makes if the most attractive destination for investments and business development,” the brochure states.
The brochure lists the number of manufacturing companies. It says Texas has 28,000, Tamaulipas 363, Nuevo León 687, Coahuila 394, and San Luis Potosi 184. This makes for a grad total of 29,628. The source for these statistics are Workforce Solutions and INEGI.
The next slide has the logos of some of the manufacturing companies in the RioPlex region. Here is the list:
Another slide is titled, Why Invest (in the RioPlex region)? The answer:
“The region we know as the RioPlex is much more than just a geographical name. It is a place where possibilities flourish like the river that crosses it.
“From its creation in the mid-19th century as an attractive valley for visionary investors, to today as one of the most important economic epicenters in North America, the Rio Grande Valley has created a path of success and opportunity.
“We are a community that not only looks to the future, but also actively builds it.
“We are committed to innovation, excellence, and international collaboration.
“Together as a region, we write the next page of our story, a story of opportunity, growth, and shared success.”
The brochure also discusses the region’s strong manufacturing base.
“We are a manufacturing community: three generations of our population have worked int he manufacturing industry. The first maquiladora company in the region was established in 1966, and the first electronic company began operations in 1967.
“We are experts in logistics, foreign trade, and moving goods since 1870.
“We are a community that knows how to work within the timelines demanded by the manufacturing companies from all around the world.”
More than 20 countries are represented in the region’s manufacturing base.
As for the region's population, the brochure says the population of the RGV is 1.37 million. In North Tamaulipas it is 1.5 million. This makes for a combined total population for the region of 2.88 million.
A slide on connectivity states: “Our land, maritime, rail and air connectivity position us as a nodal center for commercial exchange, becoming a bridge between America and the rest of the world.”
Three Class 1 railroads operate in South Texas, Union Pacific, BNSF, and CPKC. On the Mexican side is Kansas City Southern Mexico.
Maritime ports featured in the brochure are the Port of Brownsville, the Port of Harlingen, and the Port of Matamoros.
As for air connectivity, the brochure states: “The region is home to seven international airports, five of which are designated for commercial airlines use. This networks of airports serves as a critical link connecting the region to major urban and commercial hubs.” The seven are in McAllen, Harlingen, Brownsville, Edinburg, Weslaco, Reynosa, and Matamoros.
As for international bridges, the RioPlex region has 13, the brochure states.
“With 13 international bridges, the region stands out as a dynamic logistics hub. Twenty percent of total crossings from Mexico to Texas go through the region. Thirteen percent of total border crossings from Mexico to the USA go through the region.”
The brochures points out that the region is No. 1 for produce crossing, with 41 cold storage companies and 350 produce companies. The main products are avocados, berries, bell peppers, pineapples, citrus fruits, dates, fresh or refrigerate tomatoes, asparagus, and pumpkins.
There are 59 industrial parks in the region, 35 on the U.S. side and 24 on the Mexican side, the brochure states. The strategic sectors are automotive, electric-electronic, aerospace, and medical.
The document also lists higher education institutions, hospital systems, sports and entertainment.
