Another year comes to a close and what a year it was! As we reflect on our accomplishments, we first extend our thanks and gratitude for your support of the Laredo EDC! Whether your contribution was financial, moral, or participatory, your investment allows the LEDC to continue our mission of business development and expansion for a better, stronger Laredo and Webb County community!
We celebrated a number of significant milestones in 2017 in the areas of industrial development, small business development and numerous special projects. Automotive and Medical Supply Manufacturing led in job growth and expansion, adding a projected total of just over 3,000 jobs to Los Dos Laredos region. The iconic Laredo Development Foundation was rebranded to the Laredo Economic Development Corporation; the MileOne-IBAC opened its doors at its 6,000 sf. modernized downtown facility; and with the leadership of some Council Members, LEDC made some headway partnering with the City of Laredo to present data-driven information at a public forum on the transition from the current Sports Tax Venue to a Type A/Type B economic incentive tool.
2017 HIGHLIGHTS:
LEDC staff provided marketing outreach, community data, site selection, and incentives assistance to the following completed projects for Fiscal Year 2016-2017.
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT:
- Delphi Automotive Expansion in Nuevo Laredo: purchased former Sony 350,000 sf. building and added 1,800 new jobs with 900 more projected by 2019.
- Delphi Distribution in Laredo, Texas added a new 100,000 sf. center and 10 new jobs.
- Medline Medical Supply Manufacturing expansion in Laredo, Texas: 150,000 sf. facility for sterilization and lite assembly, adding 200 new jobs.
- Yazaki Motors established a 166,000 sf. distribution center; under contract with Canadian Logistics and Distribution Company Spencer-Butcher, created 32 new jobs.
- LEDC launched the MileOne-IBAC, Laredo’s newest Business Incubator and Foreign Direct Investment Assistance Center located at 1312 Houston St.
- The Laredo community joined us in a milestone rebranding event at the Laredo Development Foundation. The unveiling of our new name, Laredo Economic Development Corporation, and new logo, was celebrated with a press conference and Open House showcasing Laredo’s economic indicators for various local industries. The rebranded LEDC and its mission was introduced to site selectors across the country, the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and Texas Economic Development Corporation (TEDC).
- The LEDC led an MOU signing between the Port of Laredo and the seaport of Manzanillo in September 2017. A reciprocal invitation and signing in Manzanillo followed in November, where the Governor of Colima and Director of Economic Development for the State hosted the Laredo delegation. The LEDC continues as an intermediary to establish a trifecta relationship with the Port of Corpus Christi.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT:
- LEDC launched the MileOne-IBAC, Laredo’s newest Business Incubator and Foreign Direct Investment Assistance Center located at 1312 Houston St.
- The Laredo community joined us in a milestone rebranding event at the Laredo Development Foundation. The unveiling of our new name, Laredo Economic Development Corporation, and new logo, was celebrated with a press conference and Open House showcasing Laredo’s economic indicators for various local industries. The rebranded LEDC and its mission was introduced to site selectors across the country, the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and Texas Economic Development Corporation (TEDC).
- The LEDC led an MOU signing between the Port of Laredo and the seaport of Manzanillo in September 2017. A reciprocal invitation and signing in Manzanillo followed in November, where the Governor of Colima and Director of Economic Development for the State hosted the Laredo delegation. The LEDC continues as an intermediary to establish a trifecta relationship with the Port of Corpus Christi.
The Laredo EDC also coordinates with private, public and education institutions and organizations on projects and events that promote our Dos Laredos region.
SPECIAL PROJECTS:
- The 24th Annual Logistics and Manufacturing Symposium, Pathways for Trade, drew in 312 registrants from the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Industry and Policy le aders from North America convened in Laredo to share their expertise and meet with our local leaders while in Laredo.
- The 2nd Annual Dia de la Maquila was held in Nuevo Laredo; Managers and Corporate Executives from 32 regional manufacturers attended the traditional event recognizing the manufacturing industry in 9 categories.
- Roundtable discussions on NAFTA and other issues, plus industrial and bridge window tours were organized for various political leaders, including Congressman Henry Cuellar and Senator John Cornyn, Senator Ted Cruz, U.S. Representative Beto O’Rourke, and Rail Road Commissioner Christi Craddick.
- Numerous public meetings and presentations were organized and hosted in 2017, such as the Laredo Public Library for the Type A, Type B Economic Incentive tool, the site-selection delegation for the World Trade Center, the status of economic development for the Logistics and Manufacturing Association, Port Laredo, as well as international trade groups from the U.K.
- In collaboration with ICCE of Nuevo Laredo, the Laredo Chamber of Commerce, and TAMIU’s Center for Binational Studies, the Laredo EDC is working on a Bi-National Marketing Handbook to be used to tout the resources of the Los Dos Laredos region.
We start the new year establishing our new goals, revisiting our target industries and marketing strategy, and always welcome your input and recommendations.
We work hard all year at the LEDC and 2018 will not be an exception!
Your support is vitally important to us, so I urge that you to please review the attached Membership form and invoice corresponding to your business tier and submit your membership by January 31st, 2018. Feel free to contact me with any questions at (956) 722-0563 or ovarela@laredoedc.org.
From all of us at the LEDC, have a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year!
Sincerely,
Olivia Varela
Executive Director
Laredo Economic Development Corporation