Rio South Texas Region

More than 60% of all U.S.–Mexico trade flows
through Rio South Texas!

From faster deliveries to lower transportation costs, this region keeps industries moving — from cars to fresh produce.

Want to know why this matters to your business?

Click to learn more: https://riosouthtexasregion.com/60-of-u-s-mexico-trade-crosses-through-rio-south-texas-region/

Rio South Texas Region Works For You.




Alton EDC Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation Port of Brownsville, TX City of Brownsville, TX - Municipal Government UTRGV - The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Cameron County Economic Development Donna Economic Development Corporation City of Edinburg-Government Edinburg Economic Development Corporation Elsa Economic Development Corporation Harlingen Economic Development Corporation Port of Harlingen Hidalgo EDC Economic Development City of Laredo - Government Laredo Economic Development Corporation City of McAllen TX Government McAllen Economic Development Corporation McAllen Foreign Trade Zone City of Pharr Pharr Economic Development Corporation Pharr EDC Foundation Pharr International Bridge - Starr Camargo Bridge Co. Pharr International Bridge StarrCounty Industrial City of Rio Grande City, Texas Rio Grande Valley Partnership Texas Economic Development Corporation IBC Bank Texas National Bank
Lone Star National Bank Workforce Solutions UTRGV Entrepreneurship & Commercialization Center

We’re proud to be featured in the Q1 2025 issue of COSTEP Magazine!

The article highlights how Rio South Texas Region continues to attract investment, strengthen education–industry partnerships, and lead as a gateway for U.S.–Mexico trade.

Click to explore the full magazine and learn why Rio South Texas Region Works for You: https://riosouthtexasregion.com/rio-south-texas-region-featured-in-costep-magazine/

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Greater Alton Chamber of Commerce Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation Port of Brownsville, TX City of Brownsville, TX - Municipal Government Cameron County Economic Development Donna Economic Development Corporation City of Edinburg-Government Edinburg Economic Development Corporation Elsa Economic Development Corporation Harlingen Economic Development Corporation Port of Harlingen Hidalgo County, Texas Hidalgo EDC Economic Development City of Laredo - Government Laredo Economic Development Corporation City of McAllen TX Government McAllen Economic Development Corporation McAllen Foreign Trade Zone City of Pharr Pharr Economic Development Corporation Pharr Economic Development Corporation Pharr International Bridge Starr Camargo Bridge Co. StarrCounty Industrial City of Rio Grande City, Texas Rio Grande Valley Partnership

Rio South Texas Region Featured in COSTEP Magazine The Article highlights Rio South Texas Region´s strategic connectivity, robust infrastructure for new companies and investors.

Rio South Texas Region Works For Your Global Growth
When it comes to business expansion, location isn’t just about geography—it’s about access, talent, cost-efficiency, and opportunity.
Rio South Texas Region delivers all four, and more.

Discover why Rio South Texas Region Works for You:
https://bit.ly/4ePh2fe

Great news for the binational automotive industry!

The First Binational Automotive Cluster Is Born in Rio South Texas Region. A cross-border alliance shaping the future of mobility.

The Rio South Texas Region has officially launched the first Binational Automotive Cluster, a strategic initiative that brings together companies, universities, and economic development organizations from both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. This collaborative platform—led by COSTEP (Council for South Texas Economic Progress)—aims to position the region as a global hub for innovation, investment, and talent in the automotive industry.

With more than 140 automotive companies across the region—many of them direct suppliers to brands such as Audi, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Stellantis, and General Motors. The cluster builds on over six decades of industrial experience. Cities involved include Laredo, McAllen, Brownsville, Harlingen, Pharr, Mission, Weslaco, Donna, Edinburg, and key manufacturing hubs in Reynosa, Matamoros, Río Bravo, Valle Hermoso, and Nuevo Laredo.

According to Adam González, the cluster will be a key tool in positioning the Rio South Texas Region as a strategic player on the global automotive scene:

“Our goal is clear: to promote the region as a world-class binational hub. To achieve this, we will work to promote our capabilities, attend global trade shows, forge alliances with other international clusters, and attract high-value investments.”

COSTEP's agenda includes concrete actions such as:
Participation in national and international automotive forums.
Establishment of collaboration agreements with clusters in Mexico, the United States, and Europe. Dissemination of regional capabilities through studies, industry maps, and supplier catalogs. Active promotion of local talent and binational training programs.

The cluster will work to:
Promote the region’s capabilities at global trade shows. Align education and industry to strengthen the workforce. Forge international partnerships with other automotive clusters. Attract high-value investments for next-gen mobility

The announcement, made in McAllen, Texas by Adam González, CEO of COSTEP, was attended by key industry leaders and development officials from both countries.

By formally organizing a previously fragmented yet powerful manufacturing corridor, the Binational Automotive Cluster offers a unique opportunity for shared growth, innovation, and competitiveness.

This milestone proves that Rio South Texas Region Works for You—by building bridges, creating jobs, and driving the future of mobility from the heart of North America.

Port of Brownsville, TX Port Laredo UTRGV Small Business Development Center Starr Camargo Bridge Co. Pharr Economic Development Corporation Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation UTRGV Entrepreneurship & Commercialization Center McAllen Economic Development Corporation
Rio Grande Valley Partnership McAllen Foreign Trade Zone Harlingen Economic Development Corporation Workforce Solutions Cameron Elsa Economic Development Corporation Cameron County Economic Development Texas Economic Development

COSTEP, Council for South Texas Economic Progress advocates regional economic development for the seven counties of Rio South Texas Region by partnering and leveraging the efforts of local economic development organizations through business support services, business attraction, and regional market data. Learn more by visiting COSTEP.org

Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation
Port of Brownsville, TX
UTRGV Entrepreneurship & Commercialization Center
McAllen Economic Development Corporation
Rio Grande Valley Partnership
McAllen Foreign Trade Zone
Harlingen Economic Development Corporation
Workforce Solutions
Elsa Economic Development Corporation
Cameron County Economic Development

Texas Economic Development Corporation

FREE Business Support Services
UTRGV Small Business Development Center is providing small business support services at Elsa Economic Development Corporation every 2nd Thursday of the month.
Take Advantage and Make Your Appointment TODAY!

📣 Business Advising in Elsa – Schedule Your Appointment!

Are you considering launching a business or need assistance growing your existing one? The UTRGV Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is here to help!

📍 Next available advising date in the City of Elsa: July 10th
📞 Call 956-665-7535 to schedule your appointment today!

Take the next step toward business success with expert guidance from our Business Advisors.

Brought to you in partnership with the Elsa Economic Development Corporation.


Texas South-West SBDC Network
UTRGV Workforce & Economic Development

Pharr Economic Development Corporation working to forge a stronger binational alliance

Pharr EDC and Form Strategic Partnership to Strengthen Binational Trade 🤝

During Canacintra’s 2025 National Convention in Morelos, Mexico, Pharr EDC signed a strategic collaboration agreement with the National Chamber of the Transformation Industry (CANACINTRA)—Mexico’s leading industrial chamber, representing companies across key manufacturing and industrial sectors.

Canacintra plays a vital role in national industrial development by engaging all three levels of government, the private sector, and national and international public organizations to support the needs and projects of its members.

“This partnership is a major step toward increasing foreign investment and expanding access to U.S. markets,” said Victor Perez, Pharr EDC President & CEO.

We are proud to collaborate with Canacintra to advance binational economic development and promote growth on both sides of the border.

Read Article: https://www.protexasindustry.com/en/article/canacintra-nacional-and-pharr-edc-forge-stronger-binational-alliance-with-strategic-agreement

Learn more about Canacintra: https://portal.canacintra.org.mx/

Save the Date
July 17th
Budgeting & Financial Literacy
Part of the Women Entrepreneurs Rock Series
by MileOne
PNC

Join us for the next Women Entrepreneurs Rock Series on Thursday, July 17 at MileOne, where we’re diving into Budgeting & Financial Literacy 💸💼

Sponsored By: PNC Bank

Whether you’re launching a business or just want to feel more confident managing your money, this session will give you the tools to thrive!

We’re covering:
✅ Budgeting Basics
✅ Making Budgets Work IRL
✅ Tackling Debt Like a Pro
✅ Why Your Credit Score Matters

🎤 Guest Speaker:
Linda Cuellar, Financial Rep at Modern Woodmen of America
📍 1312 Houston St. | 11:00 AM –1:00 PM

👉 RSVP : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/women-entrepreneurs-rock-series-july-edition-tickets-1450479004749?aff=oddtdtcreator

✨ Come learn, connect, and grow!
Tag a friend and RSVP today!

Rio South Texas Region
Where Two Nations flourish as One Region
https://costep.org/