Rio South Texas Region

Rio South Texas Region Global Partners. North American Solutions. Rio South Texas.

Don’t Get Left Behind!Webinar: AI to Boost Your Business. Strategic ApplicationsJoin this exclusive webinar and discover...
06/05/2026

Don’t Get Left Behind!
Webinar: AI to Boost Your Business. Strategic Applications

Join this exclusive webinar and discover practical AI applications that are transforming business strategy, decision-making, education, and organizational growth through practical and strategic applications.

Our presenter will share insights on how companies and professionals can leverage AI to improve competitiveness, productivity, and innovation in today’s evolving business environment.

Please register at https://costep-ai.rsvpify.com/



Texas Economic Development Corporation Texas Economic Development Alton EDC Greater Brownsville EDC Cameron County Economic Development Donna Economic Development Corporation Edinburg Economic Development Corporation Elsa Economic Development Corporation Harlingen Economic Development Corporation Hidalgo EDC Economic Development Laredo Economic Development Corporation McAllen Economic Development Corporation Pharr Economic Development Corporation Pharr EDC Foundation Weslaco Economic Development

This week, Rick Carrera, Director of Economic Development at COSTEP, is participating in the Spring Consultants Forum 20...
06/03/2026

This week, Rick Carrera, Director of Economic Development at COSTEP, is participating in the Spring Consultants Forum 2026 hosted by Area Development in New Orleans, Louisiana, where leading site selectors, corporate real estate advisors, and economic development professionals are discussing the trends shaping the future of investment.

Key conversations focus on workforce availability and retention, sustainable energy infrastructure, industrial development policies, and the growing importance of resilient supply chains in an increasingly competitive global environment.

These discussions closely align with the strengths of the Rio South Texas Region, where strategic connectivity, a skilled workforce, international trade infrastructure, and cross-border advantages continue to position the region as a premier destination for manufacturing, logistics, and industrial investment.

Learn more about investment and expansion opportunities in Rio South Texas Region through COSTEP at: https://riosouthtexasregion.com/

Rio South Texas Region: One Region. Two Countries. One Future.



Texas Economic Development Corporation Texas Economic Development Alton EDC Greater Brownsville EDC Cameron County Economic Development Donna Economic Development Corporation Edinburg Economic Development Corporation Elsa Economic Development Corporation Harlingen Economic Development Corporation Hidalgo EDC Economic Development Laredo Economic Development Corporation McAllen Economic Development Corporation Pharr Economic Development Corporation Weslaco Economic Development

Adam Gonzalez, CEO of COSTEP, explains in this insightful article that long-term prosperity will require more than stron...
06/03/2026

Adam Gonzalez, CEO of COSTEP, explains in this insightful article that long-term prosperity will require more than strong logistics network, and growing consumer economy.

The future of the Rio South Texas Region depends on attracting advanced manufacturing, innovation, technology-driven industries, and developing the skilled workforce needed to support them.

A timely perspective on what it will take to build sustainable economic growth for future generations: https://riograndeguardian.com/stories/gonzalez-we-cannot-rely-on-logistics-and-consumer-spending-alone-to-secure-long-term-prosperity,71269?fbclid=IwZnRzaASMYM5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeqQxdbDBUrabUdTL3zBCOLRjxzvyTUZg8w5SHV07gRl23Vh1RtMjW3EmLjAI_aem_uck0tgEKZg_EkhJRXSDVcA

Photo: riograndeguardian.com



Texas Economic Development Corporation Texas Economic Development Alton EDC Greater Brownsville EDC Cameron County Economic Development Donna Economic Development Corporation Edinburg Economic Development Corporation Elsa Economic Development Corporation Harlingen Economic Development Corporation Hidalgo EDC Economic Development Laredo Economic Development Corporation McAllen Economic Development Corporation Pharr Economic Development Corporation Weslaco Economic Development

The new Rio Grande Valley Regional MSA Economic Report confirms the growing national relevance of the Rio South Texas Re...
06/01/2026

The new Rio Grande Valley Regional MSA Economic Report confirms the growing national relevance of the Rio South Texas Region.

By combining Hidalgo, Cameron, Starr, and Willacy counties into a unified economic region, the RGV now ranks as the #42 largest metropolitan economic area in the United States, with:
▪️ 1.48M residents
▪️ $40.9B regional GDP
▪️ 657K+ labor force
▪️ 13 international crossings
▪️ 1.16M commercial truck crossings annually

The report highlights the region’s expanding role in manufacturing, logistics, workforce development, international trade, and nearshoring-driven investment.

As North American supply chains continue evolving, the Rio South Texas Region is emerging as one of the most strategic binational economic platforms in the U.S.-Mexico corridor.

Read the Report at https://costep-my.sharepoint.com/personal/rcarrera_costep_org/_layouts/15/onedrive.aspx?id=%2Fpersonal%2Frcarrera%5Fcostep%5Forg%2FDocuments%2FAttachments%2FRGV%20MSA%20Economic%20Report%5FFinal%2020260507%2Epdf&parent=%2Fpersonal%2Frcarrera%5Fcostep%5Forg%2FDocuments%2FAttachments&ga=1

Rio South Texas Region: One Region. Two Countries. One Future.



Texas Economic Development Corporation Texas Economic Development Alton EDC Greater Brownsville EDC Cameron County Economic Development Donna Economic Development Corporation Edinburg Economic Development Corporation Elsa Economic Development Corporation Harlingen Economic Development Corporation Hidalgo EDC Economic Development Laredo Economic Development Corporation McAllen Economic Development Corporation Pharr Economic Development Corporation Weslaco Economic Development

Rio South Texas Region Cities Close Ranks at ICSC Las Vegas 2026 to Promote New Commercial Real Estate OpportunitiesThe ...
06/01/2026

Rio South Texas Region Cities Close Ranks at ICSC Las Vegas 2026 to Promote New Commercial Real Estate Opportunities

The Rio South Texas Region strengthened its presence on the national commercial real estate stage as Pharr, Weslaco, and Edinburg joined forces at ICSC Las Vegas 2026, the world’s largest gathering for retail and commercial real estate professionals.

Pharr EDC highlighted the city’s unmatched connectivity, international trade advantages, and growing retail momentum, holding strategic meetings with retailers, developers, brokers, and investors seeking expansion opportunities in South Texas.

Edinburg EDC, alongside the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Omar Ochoa, the Edinburg City Council, and local leadership, promoted the city’s long-term vision, rapid growth, and strong market potential through meetings with national commercial real estate leaders.

Weslaco EDC also advanced the region’s commercial positioning by connecting with retailers, developers, brokers, and industry stakeholders to promote new development opportunities and future investment potential within the Rio Grande Valley.

Learn more about investment and expansion opportunities in Rio South Texas Region through COSTEP at: https://riosouthtexasregion.com/

Rio South Texas Region: One Region. Two Countries. One Future.




Texas Economic Development Corporation Texas Economic Development Alton EDC Greater Brownsville EDC Cameron County Economic Development Donna Economic Development Corporation Edinburg Economic Development Corporation Elsa Economic Development Corporation Harlingen Economic Development Corporation Hidalgo EDC Economic Development Laredo Economic Development Corporation McAllen Economic Development Corporation Pharr Economic Development Corporation Weslaco Economic Development

Manufacturing Outpaces Warehousing & Retail in Regional Economic Impact at Rio South Texas RegionA newly released compar...
05/29/2026

Manufacturing Outpaces Warehousing & Retail in Regional Economic Impact at Rio South Texas Region

A newly released comparative economic impact assessment prepared for COSTEP by Allied Consulting Group analyzes the regional impact of Manufacturing, Warehousing & Storage, and Retail Trade investments across the Rio South Texas Region.

The report reveals that manufacturing generates the strongest regional multiplier effect, producing:

• 9,010 total regional jobs from 2,500 direct jobs
• Nearly $2 billion in annual economic output
• More than $123 million in annual tax revenue
• The deepest supply chain activation across multiple industries

At the same time, the study highlights the complementary role of warehousing and retail in enabling logistics infrastructure, workforce retention, consumer services, and regional fiscal sustainability.

Rather than competing sectors, the report positions manufacturing, warehousing, and retail as interconnected pillars of a balanced regional growth strategy.

As nearshoring, trade expansion, and industrial reshoring continue reshaping North America, Rio South Texas Region remains uniquely positioned to support integrated growth across production, logistics, and consumer markets.

Read the full report and discover why Rio South Texas Region continues emerging as a strategic destination for industrial investment and expansion: https://riosouthtexasregion.com/manufacturing-vs-warehousing-retail-rio-south-texas-study/

Rio South Texas Region: One Region. Two Countries. One Future.



Texas Economic Development Corporation Texas Economic Development Corporation Alton EDC Greater Brownsville EDC Cameron County Economic Development Donna Economic Development Corporation Edinburg Economic Development Corporation Elsa Economic Development Corporation Harlingen Economic Development Corporation Hidalgo EDC Economic Development Laredo Economic Development Corporation McAllen Economic Development Corporation Pharr Economic Development Corporation Weslaco Economic Development

COSTEP Drives New Industrial Investment Across Texas and Tamaulipas Through New Manufacturing Partnership Between CAS Gl...
05/25/2026

COSTEP Drives New Industrial Investment Across Texas and Tamaulipas Through New Manufacturing Partnership Between CAS Global and ERA Group

The project includes an initial $3 million investment and new job creation on both sides of the border, combining manufacturing operations in Matamoros with logistics and distribution access through Brownsville.

According to ERA Group President Steven Leblond, a regional investment visit organized by COSTEP played a decisive role in selecting the region for expansion, particularly after discovering the area’s highly specialized industrial talent and workforce development capabilities.

This project reflects the growing strength of the Rio South Texas Region as a globally competitive manufacturing and logistics ecosystem where Mexico and the United States work together to drive industrial growth.

Discover why global companies are expanding in the Rio South Texas Region: https://riosouthtexasregion.com/

Rio South Texas Region: One Region. Two Countries. One Future.



Texas Economic Development Corporation Texas Economic Development Gobierno del Estado de Tamaulipas Greater Brownsville EDC City of Brownsville, TX - Municipal Government Gobierno Municipal de Matamoros Texas Southmost College

Pharr Bridge ExpansionPharr Is Redefining the Future of Cross-Border Trade in North AmericaThe expansion of the Pharr In...
05/22/2026

Pharr Bridge ExpansionPharr Is Redefining the Future of Cross-Border Trade in North America

The expansion of the Pharr International Bridge represents far more than new infrastructure. It signals a strategic transformation in the way goods move between Mexico and the United States.

With four new commercial lanes scheduled to begin operations in June 2026, Pharr will effectively double its cargo crossing capacity, creating faster, more efficient, and more scalable logistics solutions for manufacturers, distributors, and global supply chains operating across the Rio South Texas Region.

At a time when companies are searching for greater certainty, redundancy, and operational flexibility, the expansion of the Pharr International Bridge delivers something critical:

More options. More capacity. More efficiency.
More resilience for international trade.

Pharr’s long-term vision goes beyond a bridge.

Regional leaders are building an intermodal logistics ecosystem that connects highways, rail, ports, and air cargo infrastructure, including strategic synergies with the Port of Brownsville, creating a smarter and more competitive platform for global commerce.

Discover why more global companies are choosing the Rio South Texas Region as their platform for smarter cross-border growth, logistics efficiency, and North American expansion at https://riosouthtexasregion.com/

The future of North American trade is being built in the Rio South Texas Region: One Region. Two Countries. One Future.



Pharr International Bridge Pharr Economic Development Corporation City of Pharr Texas Economic Development Corporation Texas Economic Development

Border Costs Are Rising. Laredo Helps You Control Them.As truckload linehaul rates continue to climb across North Americ...
05/20/2026

Border Costs Are Rising. Laredo Helps You Control Them.

As truckload linehaul rates continue to climb across North America, companies moving goods through the U.S.-Mexico corridor are facing a growing challenge: the rising cost of inland transportation after crossing the border.

According to Daniel Covarrubias in The Bridge, truck crossings at Laredo increased from 226,648 in January to 265,182 in March 2026, a 17% surge in just two months, while spot trucking rates jumped 25% year-over-year.

Laredo offers a strategic advantage few regions can match:

• Immediate access to the largest inland port in North America
• More than 50 million sq. ft. of warehouse and distribution space
• Faster customs processing and reduced inland trucking exposure
• Specialized cross-border logistics infrastructure
• Direct connectivity to Mexico’s manufacturing hubs and U.S. consumer markets
• Reduced exposure to volatile domestic linehaul rate cycles

As Covarrubias explains, every mile eliminated from inland trucking is a mile companies no longer pay premium rate increases on.

Discover how the Rio South Texas Region can help your company reduce logistics exposure and expand strategically across the U.S.–Mexico corridor: https://riosouthtexasregion.com/

Rio South Texas Region: One Region. Two Countries. One Future.



Laredo Economic Development Corporation City of Laredo - Government Alma Lydia Saldaña Index Matamoros Index Nuevo León INDEX Nuevo Laredo Index Reynosa

Investing $500,000 in the Workforce Behind South Texas’ GrowthRio South Texas Education and Community Development Founda...
05/14/2026

Investing $500,000 in the Workforce Behind South Texas’ Growth

Rio South Texas Education and Community Development Foundation (RSTEF) and Council for South Texas Economic Progress (COSTEP) CEO Adam Gonzalez shared how strategic regional collaboration is helping expand educational opportunities tied directly to industry demand.

Through a coordinated partnership effort:
-Workforce Solutions Lower Rio Grande leveraged a $250,000 RSTEF grant
-That support helped the Texas A&M University College of Nursing secure a $150,000 Texas Industry Partnership Grant from the Texas Workforce Commission
-An additional $100,000 was contributed through donor support from the Texas A&M Foundation
-Total Impact: $500,000 dedicated to educating and preparing more Registered Nurses for the Rio South Texas Region workforce pipeline.

The initiative reflects how public institutions, workforce organizations, philanthropy, and regional economic development leaders are aligning resources to strengthen one of the region’s most critical sectors: healthcare talent.

Over the last three years, RSTEF has invested a total of $500,000 in partnership with Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen, including a previous $250,000 endowment supporting Construction Science programs and scholarships.

Regional partners participating in the initiative include:
City of McAllen TX Government
McAllen Economic Development Corporation
McAllen Chamber of Commerce
Hidalgo County, Texas
Richard Cortez

Learn more about the Rio South Texas Region and regional economic development initiatives at https://lnkd.in/dmC2NVAB

Address

801 North Bryan Road, Office 167
Mission, TX
78572

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+19566826371

Website

https://www.riosouthtexasregion.com/

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