What exactly is a Foreign Trade Zone — and why does it matter for businesses in the Rio Grande Valley?In this episode of the RGV Business Journal Podcast, host Kristin Mossbrucker-Garza sits down with Mark Garcia, CEO of the McAllen Foreign Trade Zone, for a wide-ranging conversation on one of the Valley's most important but least understood economic assets.Mark breaks down how the FTZ program works, who benefits from it, and why the McAllen zone — now celebrating its 56th year — has grown to nearly one million square feet of industrial space. He also shares big news: a strategic land acquisition in North McAllen near the Mórán Air Base, where a mixed-use development is planned alongside the incoming $750M USDA screw worm facility.Topics covered:✅ What a Foreign Trade Zone is and how it saves businesses on duties and taxes✅ The "inverted tariff" benefit and how BMW uses it✅ How the program adapted during recent tariff uncertainty✅ Expansion into Willacy County and what it means for the region✅ The North McAllen development: industrial, commercial, educational, and more✅ Infrastructure challenges: roads, water, fiber, and the 765kV transmission line✅ How the FTZ fits into the broader RGV bridge and logistics ecosystem✅ Advice for any Valley business considering the programWhether you're in manufacturing, logistics, importing, or real estate — this is a conversation you don't want to miss.🎙️ Guest: Mark Garcia, CEO — McAllen Foreign Trade Zone🎤 Host: Kristin Mossbrucker-Garza, Reporter — RGV Business Journal📰 Read more at: rgvbusinessjournal.com #ForeignTradeZon#McAllenT#RioGrandeValley#RGVEconomy