Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
Pharr, Texas, October 19, 2023 – Pharr was alive with excitement as it celebrated the grand kickoff of the 2023-2024 Produce Season, marking its 10th Anniversary. This historic event, a decade in the making, underscored the city’s commitment to celebrating the abundance of fresh produce and strengthening cross-border relationships. Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez and distinguished guests gathered to commemorate this momentous occasion.
The atmosphere was electric as participants and attendees from the region and Mexico converged on Pharr to partake in the festivities. It was not merely an event but a celebration of a decade of dedication to promoting fresh produce and its importance to the community.
Pharr mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, addressing the crowd, expressed his gratitude for the attendees’ presence, emphasizing the vital role played by the International Bridge Board, the citizens of Pharr, and their partners from México. He stressed that the bridge connecting Pharr and Reynosa was not just a corridor for trade but a lifeline strengthening the bonds between nations.
“As the pastor said, this bridge is a lifeline, not just for Pharr but for the world, the people of México, and those who use it for various purposes,” Mayor Hernandez remarked. “It facilitates not only trade but also connections, conversations, and understanding between our nations.”
The mayor highlighted the relentless efforts of Pharr, in partnership with the state and other stakeholders, to ensure the success of businesses and individuals. He encouraged everyone to be victorious in their endeavors, whether commerce or personal growth, emphasizing the potential within everyone.
A new emblem symbolized the city of Pharr’s dedication to progress and its forward-looking approach, the Nike symbol, displayed prominently in the downtown area.
The event was framed with a heartfelt rendition of the National Anthem by Chaplin Tency Martínez, which left attendees inspired and eager to embark on a successful and fruitful produce season.
The event featured several other prominent speakers who shared their perspectives on the significance of this celebration. Luis Bazan, CPM, Pharr Bridge Director, proudly announced the “Fresh on the Border” initiative, a comprehensive effort to promote trade and cooperation beyond just the Produce Season.
He unveiled the “Crosscheck” program to foster collaboration and innovation within the industry to address contemporary challenges in foreign trade. Bazan emphasized the pillars of Strategy, Alliance, Synergy, and Efficiency and the importance of unity in the world of commerce.
Carlos Victor Peña Ortiz, the mayor of Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico, highlighted the vital role of the Pharr Bridge in connecting the two nations. He thanked Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, Texas Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, Consul Froilán Yescas, and Dr. Dámaso Anaya for their contributions to cross-border cooperation.
Mayor Peña Ortiz also unveiled plans for an alliance with the Government of the State of Tamaulipas in Mexico, focused on the Logistics Platform of Mexico, promising a bright future of collaboration.
Consul Froilán Yescas, the head of the Mexican Consulate in McAllen, emphasized the importance of cross-border economic ties and announced a working agenda to facilitate access to the U.S. market for producers from Tamaulipas. Dr. Dámaso Anaya, Secretary of Rural Development, Fisheries, and Agriculture of the Government of Tamaulipas expressed his commitment to promoting agricultural trade and rural sector investment in collaboration with Pharr.
Texas Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa highlighted the deep family and economic ties between Texas and Mexico along the border, emphasizing the significance of the Pharr International Bridge in driving economic growth and unity.
As the 2023-2024 Produce Season starts, Pharr becomes the example of cross-border cooperation and economic growth, united by the shared commitment to celebrating the bounty of fresh produce and the bridge that makes it all possible. This event symbolizes a decade of dedication and a new era of collaboration and prosperity for Pharr and its Mexican counterparts, reinforcing the bonds that unite these two nations.
