Pharr EDC executives and guests. Photo credit: Noah Mangum Gonzalez
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Written by Roberto Hugo González
Pharr City, Texas, is rapidly emerging as a premier investment destination due to its strategic location, strong infrastructure, and forward-thinking leadership. At the recent Farr Commercial and Investment Tour held on September 24, 2024, key figures from Farr’s economic and business sector outlined the city’s growth, the resources it offers and its vision for the future. The event highlighted Farr’s unique position as a business-friendly hub in the Rio Grande Valley and demonstrated its readiness to attract domestic and foreign investment.
Farr EDC Economic Development Manager Karina Lopez welcomed attendees and opened the event by highlighting Farr’s great investment potential. “We have a great agenda today, which includes presentations and opportunities from a variety of partners to help you understand why Farr City is a great place to invest,” said Lopez, noting that the day’s presentations I decided on the atmosphere. Photo credit: Noah Mangum Gonzalez
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Victor Perez, president and CEO of the Farr Economic Development Corporation, reflected on Farr’s leadership in organizing commercial property tours. Perez emphasized Farr’s pioneering spirit, saying, “We were the first company to partner with RGV Partnership to start these, and now every other community is doing this as well.” he said. He emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in promoting economic development. Photo credit: Noah Mangum Gonzalez
Marie Garcia, director of RGV Partnership, reinforced this idea by highlighting the organization’s role in connecting businesses across South Texas. “Our approach is one region, one voice, and most importantly, we do platforms like this to connect and showcase the entire region,” Garcia said. Photo credit: Noah Mangum Gonzalez
Key themes throughout the event were Farr’s central Rio Grande Valley location, infrastructure investments, and attractive business incentives. Lilvette “Lily” Santos, director of economic and business development for Pharr EDC, detailed the city’s advantages, including its proximity to major transportation routes and the international airport. “Farr is ideally located for travel to key markets, and our infrastructure, including a $70 million broadband project, supports business growth,” Mr. Santos emphasized.
He also highlighted Farr City’s business-friendly environment, noting that the city offers customizable incentives such as tax breaks, infrastructure subsidies, and foreign trade zones that allow for tax-free business. Pharr’s Global Business Hub is a newly launched incubator focused on international investments, providing resources for companies looking to scale. “We are a growing business-friendly city with strong regional partnerships,” Santos concluded, emphasizing Farr’s readiness to support investors. Photo credit: Noah Mangum Gonzalez
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Andrés Franco, CEO of COMCE Noreste, provided insights on the international trade landscape and emphasized the importance of the trilateral relationship between Mexico, the United States, and Canada. “The United States is Mexico’s largest trading partner for both imports and exports,” Franco explained. He discussed how Farr’s prime location and infrastructure facilitates this trade, particularly in the automotive, electronics and machinery sectors.
President Franco also touched on global trade challenges, including the war in Ukraine, climate change and the rise of Chinese electric cars. He emphasized the need to improve logistics infrastructure, reduce costs and remain aware of geopolitical changes. “We must continue to strengthen our infrastructure to remain competitive and respond to changes in the global market,” Franco advised. Photo credit: Roberto González
Rick Carrera, COSTEP’s director of economic development, emphasized that Farr and South Texas are great places to expand, especially for companies seeking cross-border opportunities. “Many investors don’t realize the size and potential of South Texas beyond San Antonio. Our region’s population of 3.7 million and proximity to Mexico provides seamless trade opportunities. ,” Carrera said.
Mr Carrera outlined how COSTEP promotes the region through trade fairs, conferences and public tours. “Our goal is to introduce potential investors to the region’s industrial park, connectivity and workforce, and help them see South Texas as a viable and competitive destination. ” Carrera said. Photo credit: Roberto González
Janie Cavazos, business development and real estate manager at Pharr EDC, reflected on Pharr’s growing commercial and retail sector. She highlighted several important projects, including Matt’s CASH & CARRY warehouse and Bert Ogden BMW dealership, among other developments along major highways. “Farr offers prime commercial, retail and residential real estate, making it an attractive location for investors,” Cavazos emphasized. He also pointed out that the expansion of the Farr International Bridge, a key infrastructure project to strengthen trade routes, is underway. Photo credit: Noah Mangum Gonzalez
Linda Ufland, Director of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Commercialization at UTRGV, introduced the Pharr Global Business Hub, a collaboration between Pharr EDC and UTRGV. The hub provides important resources for international and local companies, including business incubation, soft landing programs, and access to UTRGV’s vast network.
“We assist companies with programming, coaching and support as they expand and integrate into the U.S. market,” Ufland explained. He emphasized that the hub will strengthen Farr’s position in global trade by providing companies with a comprehensive support system. “Our goal is to create an ecosystem that fosters growth not only locally but internationally,” Uhland added. Photo credit: Noah Mangum Gonzalez
Finally, Jose Peña, IT Director for the City of Farr, spoke about the city’s groundbreaking broadband initiative launched in 2019. In response to Farr’s ranking as one of the worst cities in the United States, the city built 600 miles of broadband. We utilize underground fiber optic networks to provide affordable, high-speed internet.
“More than 10,000 families and 4,100 students currently benefit from this service, and we continue to grow,” Peña said. The initiative supports education, business growth and digital literacy, and the city plans to extend broadband service to neighboring towns. Peña highlighted Farr’s commitment to smart city projects aimed at training a skilled workforce and improving regional connectivity. Photo credit: Noah Mangum Gonzalez
Farr is a developing city. Our strategic location, strong infrastructure and focus on innovation make us a prime investment destination. Perez said at the event that Farr is poised for significant growth with strong leadership, regional collaboration and a commitment to providing the companies with the resources they need to succeed. With upcoming developments such as the expansion of the Farr International Bridge and the Farr Global Business Hub, the city is well-positioned to become a major player in domestic and international markets.
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