Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
On November 7, 2024, the McAllen Country Club hosted an important gathering of business leaders and stakeholders focused on the regional economic development of the Texas-Mexico border area. Spearheaded by Joaquin Spamer and joined by notable figures like Carlos Canales, owner of the transportation powerhouse Trancasa, the event was part of ongoing efforts to discuss the vision and strategy behind the RioPlex initiative and the CEO group of the Prosperity Task Force. The meeting stressed the importance of unity and collaboration among municipalities and industries in the Rio Grande Valley and northern Mexico to attract global investment, boost the region’s economic profile, and foster growth.
The RioPlex project is a bold initiative to position the Texas-Mexico border region as a unified economic hub with immense global appeal. Joaquin Spamer, President and CEO of CIL Logistics, elaborated on the project’s vision during this private meeting, and Carlos Canales shared the strategy. “We have an unparalleled combination of assets,” Canales explained, “but we need to come together as one region to showcase them effectively to the world.”
In an interview with Texas Border Business, Canales outlined the plan to leverage resources from Brownsville to Rio Grande City in Texas and Matamoros to Mier in Tamaulipas, Mexico. “When you look at our region, we have everything global investors are seeking,” Canales said. “From SpaceX in Brownsville to the international bridges and maquiladora zones, we need to present all of these elements as part of one story.”
The RioPlex area boasts critical infrastructure and strategic advantages:
- Seven International Bridges: “These bridges are lifelines,” Canales said, “connecting Texas and Tamaulipas and making cross-border trade seamless.”
- Ports and Space Exploration: “SpaceX isn’t just a technological marvel,” Canales emphasized. “It symbolizes our region’s ability to lead in cutting-edge industries.”
- Maquiladora Industries: Canales highlighted the region’s manufacturing zones as a key advantage. “We have skilled labor and competitive costs that global companies can’t ignore.”
- Transportation Leadership: Companies like Trancasa, according to Canales, are proof of the region’s logistical strength. “Our expertise in logistics and transportation sets us apart. We’re already a leader.”
While these assets make the RioPlex region an attractive destination for investors, Canales stressed the need for unified branding to maximize appeal. “No single municipality can achieve this alone,” he said. “Under RioPlex, we can market ourselves as an interconnected economic powerhouse. That’s what global investors want to see.”
Infrastructure remains a top priority for the RioPlex initiative. Canales noted that potential investors seek reliable water supplies, electricity, and housing to support large-scale projects. “We need to meet their expectations,” he said, “and we can’t let temporary challenges like droughts or economic fluctuations hold us back. Our region is resilient, and we will adapt.”
Beyond basic infrastructure, the initiative also recognizes the importance of quality of life in attracting businesses. Canales explained, “Companies aren’t just looking at numbers. They want to know their employees will have good housing, schools for their kids, and places to shop and enjoy life. If we don’t offer these things, people will say, ‘Go to Dallas, go to San Antonio.’ We have to be ready to compete.”
Canales repeatedly called for collaboration among municipalities and regional leaders throughout the event. “It’s simple,” he said. “If we don’t work together, we’re limiting our potential. But if we pool our resources, we can achieve an impossible scale and visibility.”
A key part of this strategy is consistent and targeted promotion. “How often does San Benito go to China to promote itself?” Canales asked rhetorically. “It doesn’t. But if we group everything under RioPlex, we can promote the entire area 20 times a year. That’s the kind of visibility we need.”
While the region, particularly Tamaulipas, sometimes faces risk perceptions, Canales dismissed these concerns based on his extensive experience in transportation. “People are afraid of Tamaulipas, but I’ve been working here for 35 years and have never been robbed,” he said. “It’s about understanding the zones and schedules. The risks are manageable, and the opportunities far outweigh them.”
For Canales, the RioPlex initiative represents a turning point for the Texas-Mexico border region. “This is a chance to redefine how the world sees us,” he said. “Under RioPlex, we can reach another level. But it will be very difficult to go separately.”
The event concluded with a shared sense of purpose and optimism. Leaders like Carlos Canales, Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez, and Mario Reyna agreed that the future of the RioPlex hinges on its ability to unify municipalities, showcase its strengths, and invest in infrastructure and quality of life. Canales summed it up best: “We’re not just competing with other regions in Texas or Mexico. We’re competing with the world. And if we do this right, we’ll win.”
As the RioPlex initiative moves forward, it promises to transform the Texas-Mexico border into a global economic powerhouse, draw investment, create jobs, and elevate the region’s status on the world stage.
