Rio South Texas Region

10/20/2026

RSTEF presented a $390,000 donation to the Texas Southmost College Foundation, a contribution that translates into $780,000 in scholarships to help 520 students complete their final three semesters before graduation.

Behind every scholarship is a dream, a family, and an opportunity to move forward. Supporting our students’ education strengthens our communities and opens doors to a brighter tomorrow for generations to come.

Thank you to everyone in the community who joined us in support of this initiative, especially the students who will benefit from this program. Your goals inspire us to keep working together to ensure you have the resources and support you need to achieve your dreams.

Our young people are our future, and I will always be proud to stand alongside those who believe in their potential. Together, we can continue making a meaningful difference!



Texas Southmost College

10/19/2026

Thank you to City of Laredo Economic Development Department for supporting Rio South Texas Region as a Bronze Sponsor. Your partnership helps us showcase our region’s strengths and connect businesses with opportunities to grow.

Together, we’re building a stronger Rio South Texas Region.



City of Laredo - Government

10/16/2026

From October 14-16, Alma Saldaña, Assistant Director of Economic Development at COSTEP, attended The Global Produce & Floral Show in Orlando, Florida.

This international event brings together professionals from across the fresh produce and floral supply chain to share innovations and build business connections, an opportunity to further raise our region’s global profile.

Pictured from left to right:

Port Laredo: Jaime Ortiz, MBA, Luz HERNANDEZ ALMAGUER, Elsa Hinojosa, Elizabeth Estrada, Gilberto Sanchez, and Jose Valdez Jr..

Pharr International Bridge: Tony Martinez, Freddie Flores, Garza, and Edgar Delgadillo.

Texas International Produce Association: Lilly Garcia and Hector Garza.

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW): Bill Nesbitt and Michael Scholz.



Texas Economic Development Corporation Texas Economic Development Port Laredo Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

10/15/2026

Connecting the semiconductor industry with opportunities in Texas and Rio South Texas Region.

Rick Carrera, Director of Economic Development at COSTEP, attended SEMICON West, working alongside Texas EDC and Team Texas to promote the state and the Rio South Texas region as destinations for semiconductor investment and business expansion.

Together, these efforts focused on building industry relationships and recruiting semiconductor companies to explore the opportunities our region offers.



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

10/14/2026

October as the Manufacturing Month, highlights Rio South Texas Region’s Talent and Industrial Growth.

From precision machining and robotics to welding and industrial maintenance, technical careers help power the region’s manufacturing capabilities. Programs at South Texas College, major projects like SpaceX’s Gigabay and Saronic’s Port Alpha, and COSTEP’s efforts to connect education with employers highlight the importance of developing local talent.

At the COBIFER gathering in Reynosa, COSTEP CEO Adam Gonzalez highlighted SpaceX’s role in drawing international attention to Cameron County and emphasized the region’s workforce potential. He also described efforts to align higher education in South Texas and northern Tamaulipas with employers’ needs.

Through its Binational Higher Education Advisory Council, COSTEP is identifying educational capabilities and helping institutions better understand the training companies require. Gonzalez also discussed cooperation with manufacturing associations in San Antonio and Houston to expand business relationships and attract industry.

Together, these efforts underscore the importance of connecting investment with workforce development, educational partnerships, and regional suppliers.

Let’s turn this month’s spotlight into lasting connections between talent, education, and industry.

Learn more about Rio South Texas Region´s capabilities at https://riosouthtexasregion.com/rio-south-texas-manufacturing-workforce-growth/

October puts manufacturing in the spotlight: major industrial projects and regional partnerships supporting growth in Rio South Texas Region.

10/12/2026

Mexico and Rio South Texas: Connecting Opportunities for North America’s Automotive Future.

On October 9, Adam González, CEO of COSTEP, participated in BAM México 2026 at Tecnológico de Monterrey’s Santa Fe Campus with the presentation: “Cross-Border Collaboration Between Mexico and the Rio South Texas Region: Strengthening Business Ties for Investment in North America.”

This important gathering provided a forum to discuss supply chains, electric mobility, innovation, and competitiveness while continuing to build connections between Mexico and South Texas.

We thank Clúster Automotriz Metropolitano, its Executive President, Elisa Crespo Ferrer, and the organizing team for the invitation and the opportunity to share COSTEP’s vision.

We also extend our recognition to Daniel Hernández, President of REDCAM; Alfonso Villa, Manager of ZF’s Toluca Plant; and Rodrigo Garcia Rojas, Ph.D., President of CANACINTRA ESTADO DE MÉXICO.

We continue building relationships that create investment and collaboration opportunities for our region.

10/09/2026

Thank you, AEM, for supporting Rio South Texas Region as a Sponsor! Your partnership helps us strengthen regional connections and create opportunities for growth. We appreciate your commitment to our region and look forward to continue building a brighter future together.



Asociacion de Empresarios Mexicanos

10/09/2026

COSTEP CEO Adam Gonzalez is honored to represent the Rio South Texas Region at BAM 2026 (Business Automotive Meeting 2026), organized by the Cluster Automotriz Metropolitano.

Adam will address an audience of automotive industry representatives, academic leaders, and government officials, highlighting opportunities for advanced manufacturing expansion in the Rio South Texas Region.

Our sincere thanks to Mtra. Elisa Crespo Ferrer, President of the Cluster Automotriz Metropolitano, for the opportunity to showcase our region!

10/07/2026

Greater Brownsville: Binational Growth and Projects Transforming the Rio South Texas Region

At the Encuentro Internacional Empresarial 2026, Griselda Muñoz and Eleazar Rodriguez, from GBEDC, presented “Celebrating Brownsville Facts, Projects and Real Results” sharing the following indicators:

· Workforce projections anticipate sustained growth, with approximately 176,000 additional people in the labor market area over the next ten years. No. 10 in U-Haul’s national moving rankings.

· Land area: Brownsville covers approximately 150 square miles and is the largest city by area in the Rio Grande Valley.

· Average wage: Approximately $22.92.
· Manufacturing costs: Brownsville ranks second in competitiveness.
· Incentives: a quarter-cent sales tax dedicated to economic development.
· Workforce growth: 3.72%.
· Cost of living: Below state and national averages.
· Multimodal connectivity: Highways, rail, a deepwater port, an airport, and the SpaceX Starbase spaceport.

Projects Driving Transformation:
· Saronic Technologies (Port Alpha / Project Hercules) involves a major shipyard investment and approximately 10,000 jobs.
· SpaceX currently employs approximately 4,300 people, according to the presentation, with plans to reach 8,000 by year-end. Its long-term vision includes producing nearly 1,000 rockets annually.
· Linde, described as the world’s largest industrial gas company, contacted the EDC in September 2024. The team secured the necessary land and electrical capacity, and the plant began operating within two to three months.
· Amazon was a confidential project developed over three years, demonstrating the EDC’s ability to maintain confidentiality.

Facing a shortage of industrial buildings and suitable manufacturing space, the EDC developed its own industrial park. Nearly 80% of the first phase is covered by letters of intent or contracts.

This phase provides approximately 24 megawatts of electrical capacity and is located about 7.5 miles from the Port of Brownsville and 11 miles from the Veterans International Bridge.

Other developments mentioned included an upcoming refinery, 32 residential subdivisions under construction, totaling 8,000 to 10,000 lots, and a strong pipeline of aerospace and space-sector suppliers. The Port of Brownsville has substantial land available for development.

10/06/2026

Adam Gonzalez, CEO of , attended COBIFER Reynosa’s leadership swearing-in ceremony and signed a collaboration agreement during the event, reinforcing COSTEP’s commitment to fostering partnerships across the region.

Rosendo Martinez Mcdonald was sworn in as President of the Binational Council for the Economic Development of Reynosa (COBIFER) for the 2025–2028 term. Congratulations as he begins this new chapter of leadership.

The event also welcomed Humberto Martinez Cantu, President of Consejo Nacional index, and included the signing of agreements with COBIFER by Sergio Arturo T. from the CEET - CLÚSTER ELÉCTRICO-ELECTRÓNICO DE TAMAULIPAS; Rodrigo Chapa from the San Antonio Manufacturers Association (SAMA), Alfredo Guajardo Jiménez from Index Reynosa and Manuel Pasillas from the Greater Houston Manufacturers Association.

These partnerships open opportunities for collaboration between industry organizations in Mexico and the United States.

We look forward to building stronger connections and advancing regional economic development of the Rio South Texas Region, together.