Texas Border Business
Keith Patridge, the President of the McAllen Foreign Trade Zone and McAllen Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) told Texas Border Business that the MEDC team is working from home.Â
He said, “Most client companies have delayed all travel and community visits.” He continued, “However, we continue to use technology to show available buildings and online meetings to keep projects moving forward.”
He pointed out that the Foreign Trade Zone continues to operate normally except for limiting the amount of personal interaction, using social distance, and cleaning work surfaces.
Patridge said that the Coronavirus had impacted him as well. “I am spending more time with family and eating at home.”
He explained, “The general attitude of the community about this pandemic is a double concern, that includes the health risk, and the impact on the economy.”
Regarding the public reaction from the community, he said, “Understandable as group dynamics take over normal thought process and make a run with the toilet paper.”
He is satisfied that the government and believes they are taking appropriate actions to handle the pandemic. “It’s an unknown, and they must overreact rather than underreact,” he said.
What would you do different if you were the leader of this community? “I agree with the current decisions as to the best they can do under the circumstances.”
How long do you sustain your business in the current environment?
“Unknown,” Patridge finalized.
