Tag Archives: McAllen Economic Development Corporation

FTZ Fueled McAllen’s Development

Trucks move from weight scale at the McAllen FTZ.

Foreign trade zones were sparse in 1965 and those in existence back then had ocean and river connections. There was not a single land port-based foreign trade zone in the mid-1960s. It was 1965 when a group of McAllen business leaders got the idea of establishing a FTZ. These zones allow companies to bring goods onto U.S. soil without paying duty taxes and use parts to manufacture a product that…

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McAllen Entities Pair Up for Discount Airfare

Aeromar

The McAllen Economic Development Corporation and the McAllen Chamber of Commerce are partnering to offer a $250 roundtrip airfare from McAllen to Mexico City via Aeromar Airlines. “McAllen Economic Development Corporation is happy to support McAllen International Airport and our great partner, Aeromar Airlines with this promotional offer. We are committed to expanding business opportunities and partnerships that benefit our community,” said MEDC President and CEO, Keith Patridge. “This fare promotion…

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Deadline Approaches for $7,500 McAllen Grant Competition

McAllen Business Plan Competition

The deadline for the 2019 McAllen Business Plan Competition is fast approaching. Applicants have until May 24 at 4:30 p.m. to submit their business plan to possibly receive $7,500 from the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and the McAllen Economic Development Corporation. The McAllen Business Plan Competition is an initiative to foster new business development in McAllen. The $7,500 prize goes to the applicant who presents the best and more feasible business plan.…

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Maquilas Remain Critical to Border Economy

Keith Patridge, president and chief executive officer of the McAllen Economic Development Corporation, discusses the maquiladora program and its continued growth along the U.S.-Mexico border. (VBR)

The U.S.-Mexico border region is a hotbed of global competition that began with the creation of the maquiladora program in 1964. In the past 40-plus years, the twin-plant concept has certainly pumped enormous amounts of money. It has also led to the creation of thousands of jobs benefiting both countries, and there is no sign it will slow down. Established by Mexico as the Border Industrialization Program, a maquiladora is…

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Trade Pact Seen as Positive

Keith Patridge, president and chief executive officer of the McAllen Economic Development Corporation, discusses international trade and the possible impact of a new trade agreement. (VBR)

While the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the replacement for the North American Free Trade Agreement, waits for ratification by all three countries involved, indications are that the new trade deal will be good for the South Texas economy, and all along the U.S.-Mexico border. “What was happening under NAFTA, and this was a problem with NAFTA, it opened up plants being able to move to Mexico without any type of restriction…

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