Aleman is committed to ensuring students and teachers have the resources they need to succeed in the classroom.Courtesy Image for illustration purposes
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McALLEN, Texas- Rojelio Aleman II is an Army veteran who served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, back home in McAllen, Rojelio spends his time dedicated to the community as a veterans advocate, Vice President of the Keep McAllen Beautiful city advisory board, an active member of VFW Post 7473, a rotarian with McAllen Evening Rotary, and a cohort of Leadership McAllen class 42. As a student with special needs, Rojelio knows the struggle students endure due to a lack of resources. He is committed to ensuring students and teachers have the resources they need to succeed in the classroom. He is also committed to ensuring teachers receive a higher salary and making sure students have a safe environment to thrive in.
Foster caregiver needed for mama Marimar and her 9 nursing babies and a dozen other nursing mamas/puppies at Palm Valley Animal Society. PVAS Image
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Look at those cuties!
Foster caregiver needed for mama Marimar and her 9 nursing babies and a dozen other nursing mamas/puppies at Palm Valley Animal Society.
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Puppies’ immune systems aren’t fully developed and their exposure to illness is limited in a foster home.
Caregiver will receive $150 gift card and all supplies will be provided.
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To be eligible to receive a gift card, fosters must care for the family until they’re transferred to rescue or ready to be adopted. To sign up, text 956-278-0702, visit https://www.pvastx.org/foster or come on down during open hours 11-7 daily.
The data reveals that small businesses are facing a substantial affordability crisis in providing health insurance for their employees. Image for illustration purposes
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AUSTIN, Texas – The National Federation of Independent Business(NFIB)released a new survey assessing small businesses and health insurance. The data reveals that small businesses are facing a substantial affordability crisis in providing health insurance for their employees. Most small business owners find it challenging to manage the cost of offering employer-sponsored health insurance and almost half have taken a lower profit or suffered a loss to pay for health insurance premium increases over the last five years.
“Health insurance has been a continuous challenge for small business owners,” said Holly Wade, Executive Director of NFIB’s Research Center. “The cost of health insurance is by far the biggest challenge for employers who offer health insurance and for those who do not offer it. Small employers compete for talent in filling open positions and are aware that health insurance is an important benefit for many employees and job seekers.”
NFIB State Director Annie Spilmanissued a statement urging the Texas Legislature to pass HB 1001 and SB 605, legislation to create more affordable health coverage options:
“Although job creators see the value in providing health insurance to their employees, to do so, nearly half of small employers have suffered a loss or taken less in profit in the past five years. Here in Texas, we have an overregulation problem. Thankfully, the Legislature is considering two bills that would create mandate-lite coverage – plans that would provide all the protections of insurance but are exempt from mandates that go beyond the federal scope. We look forward to working with lawmakers for a healthier Texas and a healthier business environment here in our state.”
CLICK HERE to view the full survey. Key findings are below:
Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance:
Over half (56%) of small employers reported that they currently offer health insurance to employees and 44% percent do not. Businesses with more employees were far more likely to offer health insurance with 89% of firms with 30 or more employees currently offering health insurance compared to 39% of those with 1-9 employees.
Of those currently offering health insurance, close to all (93%) offer group health insurance.
Of those offering group health insurance, 44% have offered health insurance since the beginning of the business. Eleven percent offered within the first year and 8% in the first 2-3 years.
Eighty-eight percent of small employers offer health insurance to only full-time employees. Ten percent offer health insurance to both full-time and part-time employees and only 1% offer it to only part-time employees.
Of those employers offering health insurance, 37% had most of their employees covered by a High Deductible Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan. A quarter had most of their employees covered by a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan and another 9% by a Point of Service (POS) plan. Fourteen percent reported other and 17% were not sure. Eighty percent of firms offering health insurance do not offer a second type of health plan.
When asked whether their group health plan is Fully Insured or Self Insured, a little over three-quarters (77%) of small employers reported a Fully Insured Plan.
Fifteen percent of small employers have less than 25% of their eligible employees enrolled in their health insurance plan. Another 13% reported 25% – 49% of their eligible employees and 19% between 50% – 60%. Seventeen percent reported 70% – 89% and 10% of small employers reported 90% – 99%.
Non-offering Employers:
Sixty-five percent of small employers reported the most important reason they don’t offer health insurance is that it’s too expensive. Firms with 30 or more employees overwhelmingly (88%) reported this as the most important reason they do not offer health insurance, compared to firms with 1-9 employees (63%) and 10-29 employees (70%).
Nine percent of all firms reported that the most important reason they do not offer health insurance is because their employees have access to low-cost coverage in the government exchange marketplace or other government programs. Seven percent reported that many employees are part-time, seasonal, or have high turnover. Two percent do not offer health insurance because revenue is too uncertain and another 1% said the administrative hassle is too great.
Forty-two percent of small employers who do not offer health insurance to their employees do not anticipate offering it in the future. Almost half (47%) were unsure. For those who anticipate offering health insurance, 36% said the availability of more affordable health insurance options would prompt them to offer it. Nineteen percent said they would if the business was more profitable, 13% said if employees expressed interest in the benefit, and another 7% said less employee turnover.
Reasons for Offering Health Insurance:
Sixty-three percent of all employers believe offering health insurance to recruit and retain employees is very important or moderately important. Another 15% believe it is mildly important. As firm size increased, so did the degree of importance to offer health insurance to recruit and retain employees. Twenty-nine percent of firms with 1-9 employees reported it was very important and little over half (53%) of firms with 10-29 employees did. Almost three-quarters (72%) of firms with 30 or more employees believe it is very important.
Among employers who do and do not currently offer health insurance, 94% of firms who currently offer health insurance believe it is important to some degree compared to 58% of firms who do not currently offer health insurance.
Cost Challenges:
Ninety-four percent of small employers find it challenging to some degree for their business to manage the cost of offering employer-sponsored health insurance. Forty-eight percent reported it being very challenging, 34% reported it as moderately challenging, and 12% reported it as mildly challenging.
Almost half (49%) of small employers have taken a lower profit or suffered a loss to pay for health insurance premium increases over the last five years. Forty-six percent of small employers have raised prices and another 36% have become more productive and efficient.
While cost is the most reported reason for not offering health insurance, cost is also a critical problem for those that do offer it. Almost all (98%) of small employers offering health insurance are concerned that the cost of providing health insurance to their employees will become unsustainable in the next 5-10 years.
When asked if small employers have considered offering their employees a tax-preferred reimbursement or a financial incentive to purchase health insurance on their own, over half (68%) reported that they have not considered it.
Agent/Broker:
Purchasing health insurance through an agent is general practice for most small business owners. Eighty-eight percent of small employers purchased or renewed their employer-sponsored health insurance through an agent or broker.
Over a third (36%) of small employers purchase other business insurance or products through the same broker or agent. Sixty-four percent of employers have used the broker or agent they use to purchase or renew their current employer-sponsored health insurance for more than five years.
Eighty-two percent of small employers had a conversation with their broker or agent about options or alternatives to their current health insurance plan. Of those who had a conversation with their broker or agent, over half (63%) reported that their broker or agent brought up alternative plans.
ICHRA:
Almost three-quarters (72%) of small employers were not at all familiar with the Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA). A little over half (52%) reported that their broker or agent did not discuss this option with them.
Affordable Care Act/Regulations:
Thirty-eight percent of small employers said their business has been impacted by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Sixty percent have not been impacted and 2% were unsure. When asked how the ACA has impacted their business, 12% reported that they had to begin offering health insurance to comply with the mandate, 8% offered more robust or different coverage to meet the mandate’s requirements, and 6% reduced the number of employees to fall below the mandate.
Close to all (94%) of small employers have never received a penalty notice or had a penalty imposed by the IRS related to violations of the employer mandate.
Personal Health Insurance:
The vast majority (94%) of small business owners have personal health insurance. Of those with personal health insurance, 38% have it through their business, 19% have it through the individual market, and 11% have it through their spouse’s employer.
Eighteen percent have their personal health insurance through Medicare, Medicaid, and/or Tricare. Two percent cited other, none reported short-term plan, and 13% were unsure.
Among those small business owners who purchased in the individual market, 30% purchased through the government exchange marketplace, 38% purchased it from a health insurance broker, and 30% directly from an insurance company.
Other:
Seventy-nine percent of small employers reported that they were interested in joining an association health plan to some degree. Twelve percent said they would definitely join, 23% would likely join, and 44% would consider joining.
About a quarter (27%) of small employers have talked with other small business owners about employer-sponsored health insurance over the last year. Seventy-eight percent reported that the cost of health insurance was the primary topic of discussion.
Pedro Garcia (left), a TSTC Workforce Training and Continuing Education Maritime Welding student, listens to an explanation of a root pass in the 4G overhead groove weld position from Samuel Grimaldo, a TSTC Workforce Training Welding instructor, during a recent lab session. (Photo courtesy of TSTC.)
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HARLINGEN, Texas – The Texas State Technical College Workforce Training and Continuing Education Maritime Welding program has helped train students since its inception in 2021.
Individuals learn tough technical concepts during an eight-week period to prepare for the Texas workforce, and to alleviate concerns experienced in the welding industry. Students will learn components such as oxy-fuel cutting, air carbon arc gouging, plasma cutting, base metal preparation, joint fit-up, and flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead welds.
Samuel Grimaldo, a Maritime Welding instructor, said TSTC has provided a solution in three areas.
“It has increased efficiency by introducing techniques and habits that reduce the time and effort required for welding,” he said. “The use of advanced safety equipment in training reduces the number of accidents and injuries in the workplace. Additionally, our program has created new job opportunities for welders — especially in offshore welding, shipbuilding and repair, which has helped to expand the welding industry.
Some of the students in the current cohort discussed how the program has enhanced their learning capabilities.
Matthew Andrade, of Harlingen, said he wanted to pursue a field that would lead to a great-paying career.
“I first tried welding in high school and I remember forging pieces together to make a project work,” he said. “As for this program, my skills have advanced greatly since I began with minimal knowledge. Grimaldo is a great instructor because he assists us with practical use in the classroom and in the booth. Now, I have a consistent vertical weld because I practiced by maintaining a rhythm and working against gravity. After I complete this program, I would love to enroll in the college’s Welding Technology program to elevate my skills more.”
Ollie Southard, an Arkansas native who now lives in Harlingen, said his first experience in welding was by helping his father.
“During my teenage years, I helped him install a 220-voltage outlet,” he said. “I found out about TSTC’s Maritime Welding program through word-of-mouth. This program has been enjoyable because of the hands-on training. I have learned about safety such as personal protection equipment, which helps to protect you at a high altitude. Other items consist of using safety goggles, being aware of other welders and the proper way to handle tools. It’s important to observe that any tool you will use has come to a complete stop. Otherwise a major injury can occur.”
Students will earn a Maritime Welding Level 1 certificate from the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) when they complete the program.
TSTC’s Workforce Training Maritime Welding program has created a skilled workforce of welders who are trained in advanced techniques and technologies and improve the quality of welds being performed, Grimaldo said.
Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents working with Laredo Police Department (LPD) and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) shut down a stash house in Laredo, Texas. USCBP Image
Texas Border Business
LAREDO, Texas – Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents working with Laredo Police Department (LPD) and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) shut down a stash house in Laredo, Texas.
On March 21, Border Patrol agents together with Laredo Police Department (LPD) and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) closed a stash house located in south Laredo. After agents entered the home, they discovered a total of 10 people that were being held inside the home. Border Patrol agents transported the individuals to the Laredo South Station for processing.
Record checks revealed all subjects were illegally present in the United States from the countries of Mexico, Honduras, Ecuador, and Guatemala. All subjects were processed accordingly.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol while remaining anonymous by calling 1-800-343-1994.
China is the largest importer of almost every commodity on the global markets and ‘The Great Reopening’, a new Horizons report published today. Image for illustration purposes
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LONDON / HOUSTON / SINGAPORE – The Chinese economy is expected to grow by 5.5% but could grow by as much as 7% in 2023 as the country bounces back from three years of lock-down caused by the Covid pandemic according to a new report by Wood Mackenzie.
China is the largest importer of almost every commodity on the global markets and ‘The Great Reopening’, a new Horizons report published today, looks at the expected impact that the Asian powerhouse’s re-emergence from the Covid pandemic. It offers both base case and high case scenarios for the Chinese economy and global commodities such as oil, gas, metals, and coal.
“Faster -than-expected Chinese growth would reshape short-term commodities supply and prices dramatically,” says Massimo Di Odoardo, Vice President, Gas and LNG research. “Few commodities remain unaffected, but some are more impacted than others.”
Base case versus high case
The report states that if China’s economy grows at the expected base case of 5.5%, the recovery will remain domestically contained with minimal global impact. However, due to the industry-intensive nature of the high case scenario laid out in the report, positive ripple effects will be felt across the global economy. The high case scenario of 7% will also see exporters of capital equipment, resources and materials to China witness some considerable upside.
“A hotter China lifts the global economy with gross domestic product growing by 2.6% in 2023 versus 2.2% in our base case,” says Peter Martin, Head of Economics.
Oil prices set to rise
China’s return to normal mobility is expected to drive a strong recovery in global oil demand in 2023 from both a base and high case perspective.
“China being on the move again after the Zero Covid policy of 2022 will account for 1 million barrels a day (b/d) of the 2.6 million b/d gain we expect in oil demand this year,” Ann-Louise Hittle, Head of Macro Oils says. “This should see Brent crude prices rising from current levels to average US$89.40 per barrel (/bbl) for 2023.”
The more bullish high case scenario would see increased construction activity driving Chinese oil demand even higher in 2023 with the report predicting that the 1 million b/d figure could increase by as much as 400,000 b/d and push annual oil prices higher by US$3-US$5/bbl.
Return to normal for refinery margins
Demand for refined products in China will be stronger especially transport fuels and petrochemicals feedstocks. The report states that despite Chinese exports of gasoline, jet and diesel/gasoil being lower due to increased domestic demand, global balances are set to remain largely undisturbed.
“The combination of stronger crude oil prices and lower transport fuel exports supports global refining margins by just US$0.5/bbl or so, lifting the Q4 2023 global composite gross refining margin to US$6.6/bbl, still weaker than the Q4 2022 average of US$11/bbl,” says Alan Gelder, Vice President of Research for Refining and Oil Markets.
European LNG imports safe for now
LNG imports to China fell by an extraordinary 20% in 2022, a total of 16 million tonnes (MT) or 22 billion cubic metres (bcm). One of the risks of China’s return to normality has been the impact it could have on European gas imports which swallowed up a substantial proportion of the supply void left by the country’s relative inactivity.
“[The] global gas market is not out of the woods; it is a structurally tight market and prices are volatile,” says Massimo Di Odoardo, Vice President, Gas and LNG research. “But with demand trimmed by high prices, recent mild weather and markets proving resilient in a world without Russian pipeline exports to Europe, stronger-than-expected Chinese LNG demand is unlikely to lead to a repeat of the chaos seen in 2022.”
Metals prices hinge on construction activity
With global metals markets so closely linked to the ebbs and flows of the Chinese economy, the level of growth is heavily dependent on how quickly the country’s industrial and property sectors ramp up.
“In our high-growth scenario, where growth is driven by more intensive industrial production and an outperforming property sector, the impact is greatest among the metal market’s heavyweights – steel, aluminium and copper,” says Nick Pickens, Research Director Global Mining.
The report concludes that energy and natural resource markets remain delicately balanced and while China’s leadership remain cautious on monetary policy and fiscal policy, sharper growth cannot be discounted. China’s reopening could once again turn up the heat on prices across the energy and natural resources spectrum.
Stacks of bills containing $126,000 in unreported currency seized by CBP officers at Hidalgo International Bridge during an outbound examination. USCBP Image
Texas Border Business
HIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge intercepted $126,000 in undeclared currency.
“CBP officers conduct outbound enforcement operations to protect against unreported exportations of bulk U.S. currency, which often can be proceeds from alleged illicit activity, or currency that funds transnational criminal organizations,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.
On March 22, 2023, CBP officers conducting outbound enforcement operations at the Hidalgo International Bridge encountered a green Nissan sedan driving southbound to Mexico. A CBP officer referred the vehicle for further inspection which included the use of utilizing non-intrusive inspection (NII) equipment. After physically inspecting the vehicle, officers discovered twelve bundles of currency totaling $126,000 in various denominations concealed within the vehicle.
CBP OFO seized the currency and vehicle, and the case remains under investigation by special agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
DHR Health is proud to announce the first successful use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), also known as extracorporeal life support, to save the life of a 57 year old Edinburg, Texas woman. Courtesy Image
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EDINBURG, Texas – DHR Health is proud to announce the first successful use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), also known as extracorporeal life support, to save the life of a 57 year old Edinburg, Texas woman. Maria Dalcour was rushed to the Level 1 Trauma Center after suffering a massive heart attack on February 19, 2023. The following day her heart stopped, and the ICU staff restarted her heart, but she was progressing toward cardiac arrest again. The ECMO team had just minutes to connect the ECMO machine through plastic tubes in Dalcour’s legs to circulate her blood into the heart-lung machine, remove carbon dioxide, and send oxygen-filled blood back to the tissues in her body. Dalcour’s life was saved.
DHR Health is pleased to report that Mrs. Dalcour was taken off the ECMO machine just 4 days later and continues her recovery. Courtesy Image
“It is the most sophisticated life-support technology in the world, and the device used at DHR Health is the same device used at the most prestigious academic centers in the world. Mrs. Dalcour is alive today because of the fast thinking, highly trained professionals at DHR Health and our new ECMO program”, said Dr. Andrew Phillips, Medical Director of the ECMO Program and Associate Medical Director of ICU at the DHR Health Level 1 Trauma Center. “It is difficult to explain how much this changes things for the most critically ill patients in the RGV who, as of last month, would have died. Instead, just 3 days after her heart stopped, Mrs. Dalcour was hugging her family and telling the staff her favorite local restaurants.”
DHR Health is the first and only center in the RGV with a comprehensive multidisciplinary ECMO program including a complete team of ECMO specialists, who are highly trained nurses and respiratory therapists who completed the gold standard education by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO).
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The program’s success is also a tribute to the multidisciplinary and dedicated approach DHR Health embraces for its patients. She was first seen by Dr. David Loyola in the emergency department and rushed to the procedure lab where Dr. Herschl Silberman, chair of DHR Health cardiology, re-opened her main heart artery. DHR Health is the only hospital in the RGV with a critical care physician present 24 hours a day, and Dr. Juan Marcos Chavez Paz, chair of DHR Health critical care, was at her bedside when her heart stopped. Dr. Richard Clarke, anesthesiologist, stabilized her while Dr. David Heredia, interventional cardiologist, emergently placed the cannulas and Dr. Phillips initiated the ECMO machine. Night and day she was tended to by critical care physicians Drs. Federico Vallejo and Jayanth Lakshmikanth. Later, Dr. Amit Taggarse placed an additional device she required, the Impella 5.5, which is also only available in the RGV at DHR Health.
DHR Health is pleased to report that Mrs. Dalcour was taken off the ECMO machine just 4 days later and continues her recovery.
“The ECMO program is another example of how DHR Health is continuously delivering the latest technology to the area and addressing the emerging needs of our community. As the first and only established program within the region, we are giving patients a fighting chance never before had here,” said Dr. Phillips.
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For more information about the services offered at DHR Health, please call (956) 362-8677, or visit our website at www.dhrhealth.com
Congressmen Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) and Jodey Arrington (TX-19) introduced a bipartisan piece of legislation to permanently expand access to emergency medical care for Medicare, Tricare, and Medicaid beneficiaries. Image Sources: Arrington, U.S. House Office of Photography, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Gonzalez Courtesy Image
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WASHINGTON, DC – Congressmen Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) and Jodey Arrington (TX-19) introduced a bipartisan piece of legislation to permanently expand access to emergency medical care for Medicare, Tricare, and Medicaid beneficiaries.
“A person’s access to high quality health care should not be determined by their home address,” said Rep. Gonzalez. “This bipartisan piece of legislation ensures Medicare, Tricare and Medicaid beneficiaries may access the high-quality medical treatment provided by free standing emergency centers – expanding access and lowering cost for South Texans and patients across the country,”
“Over the past three years since Medicare began recognizing Freestanding Emergency Centers, millions of seniors in Texas have benefitted from increased access to emergency care. Unfortunately, the care these facilities provide — often at a lower cost to the Medicare program than most hospital-based ERs — will disappear for thousands of seniors if something isn’t done prior to the Public Health Emergency ending on May 11. The Emergency Care Improvement Act will allow seniors to continue utilizing low-cost, high-quality FECs, spurring much-needed competition in our healthcare system,” said Rep. Arrington.
Many freestanding emergency centers (FECs) have been providing care to Medicare beneficiaries since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic through a temporary program established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Unless the statute is updated to provide permanent recognition, these beneficiaries will lose coverage at FECs in May, when President Biden officially terminates the Public Health Emergency.
Background on the Legislation:
FECs are fully licensed emergency departments staffed by both Emergency Medicine trained physicians and registered nurses who are on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These facilities possess licensed pharmacies, clinical labs, and advanced imaging services. FECs are state-licensed and adhere to the same standards and provide the same level of care as Hospital Based Emergency Rooms (HBER).
To expand provider capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a waiver in April 2020 to allow FECs to enroll as Medicare-certified hospitals and receive Medicare reimbursement for the duration of the Public Health Emergency.
Over 110 FECs, mostly located in Texas, enrolled and have been providing high-quality emergency services for all kinds of emergency conditions, at a significant savings to the Medicare program, to thousands of Medicare beneficiaries.
An actuarial study of Medicare claims data found that FECs did not increase overall utilization of emergency care services and actually saved Medicare programs 21.8% in lower emergency care payments for patients of similar acuity in hospital emergency departments.
Luis Bazán, Pharr’s International Bridge Director. Courtesy photos.
Texas Border Business
Published by COSTEP.org
Luis Bazán, Pharr’s International Bridge Director
Rio South Texas Region represents one of the most important trade zones along the U.S.-Mexico border. Pharr’s International Bridge, just thirteen miles east of Reynosa, Mexico, is a clear example of the continuous flow of merchandise crossings, as evidenced by the forty-two billion dollars in goods reported for 2021 by Luis Bazán, Pharr’s International Bridge Director. Bazán points out how the bridge’s outstanding infrastructure has allowed it to entertain treaties with more than ninety countries.
The Pharr International Bridge connects with Reynosa, Tamaulipas, where manufacturing companies import and export daily through this port.
The Pharr International Bridge will build a twin bridge on the US side and will invest 47 million dollars. Although there is a 3.10 mile (five kilometers) long bridge with four lanes on both directions, an additional one will be built with the same infrastructure that will allow the three types of commerce to be separated: empty truck, certified, and regular cargo. Courtesy photo
TRADE NEVER STOPS
Although the Covid-19 pandemic negatively impacted all sectors, in the case of commerce, it has not stopped, neither during nor after the pandemic.
About the value of the product that crosses through this port, Luis Bazán, released the following figures:
2019 $36 billion
2020 $32 billion
2021 $42 billion
As these statistics show, the future seems promising. Trade has withstood adversity, whether that be manifested by crisis in the supply chain, inflation, or other misfortunes, commented Bazán.
On the US side, it is contemplated that the construction project at the international crossing will be completed by 2024. Courtesy photo
A REGION ATTRACTIVE FOR INVESTMENT
What makes the Rio South Texas Region attractive for investment? The answer lies in these key factors:
Location. Strategically located and with near proximity to Mexico. Nearshoring is generating the arrival of foreign companies and making it possible for suppliers to be close to manufacturers.
Road Infrastructure. A well-planned logistical corridor which connects the Pharr International Bridge with manufacturing facilities and roads leading to other states in Mexico, which neighbor Tamaulipas.
Trader Culture. Having Mexico as its neighbor brings the region the competitive advantage that clusters companies producing goods, which continuously allow for “just in time” product delivery.
PHARR INTERNATIONAL
BRIDGE OVERVIEW
No. 1 land port in U.S. perishable goods crossings
No. 3 most important international bridge in Texas
Suppose you are interested in learning more about the advantages of international crossings in the Rio South Texas Region. In that case, the team of experts at COSTEP is in the best position to help and advise you.
We invite you to visit: www.costep.org or contact one of our representatives for more information at info@COSTEP.org. TBB
