What are the opening hours?

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

http://www.costep.org/, https://www.riosouthtexasregion.com/

Rio South Texas Region, 801 North Bryan Road, Office 167, Mission, TX (2026)

01/26/2026

Port Laredo Handles 35% of U.S.–Mexico Trade, consolidating its role as one of North America’s most strategic logistics gateways and a critical asset within Rio South Texas Region.

In 2025, the port averaged 20,000 commercial crossings per day and moved nearly $800 billion in annual trade, demonstrating scale, resilience, and operational certainty at a time when supply chains across North America continue to reconfigure.

Automotive, advanced manufacturing, technology components, and cold-chain logistics converge in Laredo, supported by joint U.S.–Mexico inspections and more than $1.5 billion in active infrastructure investments expanding highways and bridges in the region.

Together, these conditions reinforce Rio South Texas Region as a platform where trade, manufacturing, and smartshoring strategies translate into real competitive advantage.

Looking to expand or establish operations in the U.S.?
Expand in Rio South Texas Region with the support of COSTEP and discover why global companies are choosing this region to secure market access, certainty, and growth.

Learn more at https://riosouthtexasregion.com/

Port Laredo Laredo Economic Development Corporation Texas Economic Development Corporation EY PwC CBRE Deloitte KPMG JLL Savills

01/22/2026

Binational Collaboration Advances with visit and MOU Signing Between GIRAA Auto Cluster and Rio South Texas Region.

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) marked a key milestone during the visit of the Aguascalientes´s GIRAA Auto Cluster to the Rio South Texas Region, reinforcing a shared commitment to long-term binational collaboration in the automotive and advanced manufacturing sectors.

As part of this engagement, the delegation participated in a multi-day program designed to showcase the region’s industrial capabilities, logistics infrastructure, and investment-ready environment. The visit included a strategic immersion at the Port of Brownsville, with presentations from the Port, the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation, and the Harlingen EDC, followed by a windshield tour of port operations and the SpaceX facilities.

The agenda continued with regional presentations from Weslaco EDC, McAllen EDC, and Edinburg EDC, complemented by industry briefings on tariffs, McAllen Foreign Trade Zone #12 advantages, and permitting and registration considerations, key factors for companies evaluating cross-border expansion strategies.

In parallel, GIRAA presented the strengths of Aguascalientes’s automotive ecosystem, highlighting the complementarities between both regions and the opportunity to build more resilient, integrated value chains.

The visit and MOU brought together representatives from the following organizations:

Dr. Monica Mendoza Jaquez, President, Auto Cluster GIRAA
Carolina Ponce Hernandez, Vice President, Auto Cluster GIRAA
Christian E. Gonzalez Medina, CEO, Mechanical 4.0
Gustavo Gutierrez Gonzalez, CEO, SIGUM Herramientas
Salvador Montaner Muntan, CEO, Solinda Tools and Devices
Catalina Ramirez, CEO and Founder, SpacePort MX
Orlando Campos, Executive Director, Harlingen EDC
Michelle Smith, CD&M Manager, Weslaco EDC
Jacqueline Hernandez, A&F Coordinator, Weslaco EDC
Jeffrey Salcedo, IBD Consultant, Edinburg EDC
Daniel Garza, BD Manager, Edinburg EDC
Susie Flores, VP of IB Recruitment, McAllen EDC
Abraham Guerra, President, ID&L
Sandra Barbosa, President & CEO, McAllen FTZ
Luis Cantu, Attorney, LPS International Law Firm
Jerry Briones, DE Director, GBIC

This milestone reflects COSTEP and the Rio South Texas Region’s ongoing strategy to strengthen cross-border partnerships and position the region for sustained, long-term growth.

Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation Cameron County Economic Development City of Edinburg-Government Edinburg Economic Development Corporation Harlingen Economic Development Corporation McAllen Economic Development Corporation Pharr Economic Development Corporation Weslaco Economic Development Texas Economic Development Corporation

01/19/2026

Manufacturing or Assembling in Rio South Texas Region is a Strategic Advantage

Manufacturing or assembling in Rio South Texas Region, Texas, gives companies direct, tariff-free access to the U.S. market, while reducing regulatory risk and supply chain uncertainty.

With competitive operating costs, strong logistics connectivity, and a business-friendly environment, South Texas is where certainty meets opportunity.

Ready to expand?
Partner with Council for South Texas Economic Progress (COSTEP) to evaluate, plan, and execute your expansion into the Rio South Texas Region, one of the most competitive, tariff-free manufacturing and logistics platforms in North America.

From site selection and incentives to workforce, infrastructure, and cross-border strategy, COSTEP works alongside investors at every stage of the decision-making process.

Invest with confidence. Expand with clarity.
Grow with COSTEP in Rio South Texas Region.

Learn more about Rio South Texas Region at https://riosouthtexasregion.com/

Texas Economic Development Corporation Texas Economic Development EY PwC CBRE Deloitte KPMG JLL Savills

01/15/2026

We were honored to attend the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and McAllen Economic Development Corporation Man and Woman of the Year Gala, an outstanding event that celebrated leadership, service, and the strength of our regional ecosystem.

It was a pleasure to represent Council for South Texas Economic Progress (COSTEP) and the Rio South Texas Education and Community Development Foundation (RSTEF) alongside valued partners from higher education, workforce development, and finance, demonstrating the power of cross-sector collaboration in driving long-term regional progress.

We were especially glad to share the evening with representatives from Prairie View A&M University, Teach For America, and Texas National Bank, reinforcing the strong ties between education, talent, and economic development that define the Rio South Texas Region.

Pictured (left to right):
Deborah Cordova, Board Chair, Teach For America
Jonathan Stevens, Teach For America
Hector Sanchez, Texas National Bank
Rick Carrera, Director of Economic Development at COSTEP
Joanne Ureste, Prairie View A&M
Rafael Tapia, Grant Manager at RSTEF
Rina Castillo, Prairie View A&M
Adam Gonzalez, CEO of COSTEP

Congratulations to the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and McAllen EDC for an exceptionally well-executed and highly successful event. Evenings like this strengthen regional ties, deepen collaboration, and remind us that progress happens when institutions, leaders, and communities move forward together.

McAllen Economic Development Corporation McAllen Chamber of Commerce

01/12/2026

Rio South Texas Region: A Strategic Platform in the New Geography of Competitiveness.

Tariffs are reshaping how global companies enter and serve the U.S. market.

Today, industrial location is no longer an operational choice, it’s a strategic one.

Rio South Texas Region offers a binational platform that integrates U.S. market access, USMCA compliance, and competitive manufacturing capabilities across South Texas and Northern Tamaulipas.

The result: reduced tariff exposure, greater supply chain flexibility, and a faster, more resilient path into the U.S. market.

Through the Council for South Texas Economic Progress (COSTEP), companies gain a single regional partner to align site selection, workforce, infrastructure, and incentives, turning complexity into clarity.

Learn more at https://riosouthtexasregion.com/

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

Texas Economic Development Corporation Texas Economic Development EY PwC CBRE Deloitte KPMG JLL Savills

01/09/2026

McAllen–Reynosa: A Binational Platform Built for Industrial Continuity.

In a moment of global trade realignment and policy recalibration, the McAllen–Reynosa corridor continues to prove why it stands apart as one of North America’s most reliable industrial platform built for industrial continuity.

According to Ralph García, Chief Operating Officer of the McAllen Economic Development Corporation, the region’s strength lies not in speculation, but in ex*****on: a mature binational ecosystem where operations on both sides of the border function as a single, coordinated production platform.

From an economic impact perspective, projected investments approaching $1 billion and the creation of more than 1,000 jobs underscore the corridor’s role in strengthening the region’s industrial base and skilled workforce.

The corridor’s performance has not gone unnoticed. Representatives from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas have highlighted McAllen–Reynosa as one of the most stable and resilient border markets, particularly when compared to other regions navigating similar global pressures.

Through Council for South Texas Economic Progress (COSTEP), investors gain a trusted regional partner that aligns site selection, workforce, infrastructure, incentives, and binational coordination into a single, clear pathway to operation.

From first analysis to long-term growth, COSTEP works alongside companies to reduce risk, accelerate timelines, and ensure a successful landing and expansion in one of North America’s most resilient industrial corridors.

Learn more at https://lnkd.in/dmC2NVAB

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

City of McAllen TX Government McAllen Economic Development Corporation EY PwC CBRE Deloitte KPMG JLL Savills

01/07/2026

Port Laredo: The Backbone of Nearshoring and Industrial Resilience

As companies rethink where to locate operations, reliability and scale matter more than ever. Port Laredo has become one of the most critical trade corridors in the United States—and a strategic asset for North American manufacturing.

$265+ billion in year-to-date trade #3 U.S. port overall | #1 land port of entry
+80% growth in 5 years | +78% in a decade

By September 2025 alone, Port Laredo moved $29.6B in trade, with $19B in imports and $10.5B in exports, supporting high-value industries such as automotive, aerospace, energy, technology, and life sciences.

Nearly 97% of trade is linked to Mexico, reflecting deep U.S.–Mexico industrial integration—not dependency. At the same time, Port Laredo connects U.S. industry to global markets across Europe and Asia, handling a significant share of national trade in key industrial categories.

For companies evaluating locations in Laredo and the Rio South Texas Region, this corridor offers what matters most: speed, resilience, scalability, and long-term relevance.

Port Laredo is no longer just a gateway.
It is an operating system for North American industry.

Invest in Laredo with confidence, and let COSTEP guide your expansion into the Rio South Texas Region.

Visit https: https://riosouthtexasregion.com/

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

Laredo Economic Development Corporation Port Laredo EY PwC CBRE Deloitte KPMG JLL Savills

01/05/2026

Greater Brownsville Tech District: From Manufacturing to Mindfacturing

Infrastructure development is underway, marking the transition from planning to ex*****on.

Spanning approximately 730 acres, the Tech District is purpose-built to respond to growing demand from advanced manufacturing suppliers serving global corporations already operating in the region, including SpaceX and Amazon.

With a projected $500 million total investment, the development represents a transformative step in positioning Brownsville as a hub for high-value, knowledge-intensive industrial activity.

The first phase includes 13 industrial buildings of approximately 1,000 square feet each, with the potential to generate 2,000 to 4,000 jobs. These facilities are designed to attract manufacturers and suppliers that rely on skilled talent, advanced processes, and close integration with anchor Tech companies, key elements of a Mindfacturing ecosystem.

GBIC leadership has emphasized that conservative projections estimate an annual economic impact of $4 to $5 billion, fueled by new business activity, supplier integration, and sustained industrial expansion. This evolution signals a new chapter for Brownsville, one defined by value-added production, technological capability, and long-term regional competitiveness.

Discover how your next phase of growth can take shape in Rio South Texas Region by the hand of COSTEP at https://riosouthtexasregion.com/

Texas Economic Development Corporation EY PwC CBRE Deloitte KPMG JLL Savills Site Selection

12/30/2025

2026: The Year Technology Scales in the Rio South Texas Region

As global companies redefine where innovation happens, the Rio South Texas Region will consolidate its position in 2026 as as one of North America’s most strategic platforms for technology-driven investment.

This is a region where technology meets scale.

With direct access to U.S. and Mexican markets, a growing binational talent base, and competitive operating conditions, the Rio South Texas Region is evolving beyond traditional manufacturing into a hub for advanced technology development, including:
· Advanced manufacturing & automation
· Logistics tech & supply chain intelligence
· Data centers & digital infrastructure
· Aerospace, energy tech & smart materials
· Software, engineering services & applied R&D

What makes 2026 different is readiness.

The region now combines industrial capacity, cross-border connectivity, universities aligned with industry needs, and public–private collaboration focused on ex*****on, not theory. Investors are no longer asking if technology can grow here, but how fast it can scale.

For technology companies seeking:
· Faster market entry
· Lower operational risk
· Access to a resilient, binational workforce
· A platform to serve the entire North American market

…the Rio South Texas Region offers a compelling answer.

2026 is not about future potential.
It’s about present opportunity.

Now is the moment to build, test, expand, and lead in a region designed for growth by the hand and guidance of COSTEP.

Learn more at https://riosouthtexasregion.com/

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

Texas Economic Development Corporation EY PwC CBRE Deloitte KPMG JLL Savills Site Selection

12/22/2025

Throughout the year, every event, partnership, and shared initiative has contributed to a broader vision: strengthening economic development and advancing binational collaboration in South Texas.

This video collage brings together some of the most meaningful moments from the events and activities led by COSTEP and the Rio South Texas Region. More than a collection of images, it reflects the collective effort of leaders, institutions, businesses, and communities working together to unlock the full potential of our region.

We invite you to revisit these moments and celebrate a year defined by progress, collaboration, and a shared commitment to the future.

Alton EDC Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation 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 Texas Economic Development Corporation Roma Texas EDC

12/19/2025

Rio South Texas Region Spotlight: Zapata, Texas

Located along the Rio Grande, Zapata, Texas plays a meaningful role within the Rio South Texas Region as a community with growing relevance for energy-related activity, and regional logistics development.

As nearshoring, energy development, and cross-border manufacturing continue to reshape North American supply chains, Zapata represents an important piece of the Rio South Texas Region’s economic landscape, a location where strategic geography, binational access, and regional collaboration come together to support sustainable growth.

Invest in Zapata with confidence, and let COSTEP guide your expansion into the Rio South Texas Region.

Visit https: https://riosouthtexasregion.com/

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

Texas Economic Development Corporation EY PwC CBRE Deloitte KPMG Adam Gonzalez

12/18/2025

Celebrating Collaboration: Friends of COSTEP Holiday Appreciation Mixer

Following the Friends of COSTEP meeting, attendees gathered for a Holiday Appreciation Mixer, creating a warm and festive space to connect, reflect, and celebrate a year of collaboration and progress across the Rio South Texas Region.

Partners, stakeholders, and regional leaders enjoyed an evening of networking and conversation, strengthening relationships that are essential to advancing economic development, binational cooperation, and shared opportunity. The mixer served not only as a year-end celebration, but also as a moment to recognize the collective efforts that continue to shape the region’s future.

COSTEP extends its sincere appreciation to all Friends of COSTEP for their continued engagement, leadership, and commitment. Together, we look ahead to a new year filled with opportunity, innovation, and impact for the Rio South Texas Region.

COSTEP: A Strategic Partner for Business Expansion In Rio South Texas Region.

Rio South Texas Region

01/26/2026

01/22/2026

01/19/2026

01/15/2026

01/12/2026

01/09/2026

01/07/2026

01/05/2026

12/30/2025

12/22/2025

12/19/2025

12/18/2025

Address

Opening Hours

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

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