RGV Business Journal

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

Real estate investment in the Rio Grande Valley is shifting — as outside capital, major projects like SpaceX, and regional growth reshape how the market operates.In this episode of the Rio Grande Valley Business Journal Podcast, Naxiely Lopez-Puente sits down with Daniel Galvan, a broker at Coldwell Banker Commercial, to discuss what’s driving demand, where deals are happening, and how the market is evolving.Galvan explains how national and international attention on the region — particularly around Brownsville — is bringing new investors into the Valley, while local buyers continue to reinvest in their communities.He also breaks down what defines a “good deal” today, how pricing has stabilized after the pandemic surge, and why rising costs like insurance and operations are making investors more cautious.The conversation explores industrial demand, limited supply coming online, retail expansion, regional growth beyond McAllen, and where capital is flowing across the market.Topics covered:• Real estate investment trends in the Rio Grande Valley• Outside vs. local capital• Impact of SpaceX and regional growth• Industrial, retail, and commercial pricing• Supply and demand in industrial space• Investor concerns: insurance, costs, and risk• Where capital is flowing in today’s market👉 Subscribe to the Rio Grande Valley Business Journal for more reporting on business, trade, real estate, and economic development across South Texas and northern Mexico.

n this episode of the Rio Grande Valley Business Journal Podcast, reporter Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza sits down with Dr. James Li and Dr. Ahmed Bendaouia of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s Institute for Advanced Manufacturing to discuss how the region can compete for the next generation of manufacturing investment.Advanced manufacturing is changing what economic growth could look like in the Rio Grande Valley — from AI-powered factories and robotics to workforce training, supply chains, and major industrial projects.Li explains why manufacturing remains a major engine for innovation, job creation, and regional prosperity — and why the Valley may have a narrow window to attract new industrial operations.Bendaouia breaks down how AI, digital twins, robotics, and data are being used in manufacturing, and why these tools are meant to support workers rather than replace them.The conversation also explores SpaceX, Saronic, LNG, rare earth minerals, supply chain gaps, workforce development, and what it would take for the Rio Grande Valley to become a stronger industrial hub.Topics covered:• Advanced manufacturing in the Rio Grande Valley• AI, robotics, and digital twins in industry• Workforce training and high-tech jobs• SpaceX, Saronic, LNG, and anchor companies• Rare earth minerals and supply chain security• UTRGV’s role in regional economic development👉 Subscribe to the Rio Grande Valley Business Journal podcast for more reporting on business, trade, manufacturing, and economic development across South Texas and northern Mexico.

🏈 Emmitt Smith is heading to the Rio Grande Valley — and Ronnie Larralde of the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce tells us exactly how it happened (spoiler: it's all about your network).In this episode of the RGV Business Journal Podcast, we explore the business boom happening right now in Edinburg and across the Rio Grande Valley — from 127 new housing subdivisions to the game-day economic ripple effect of UTRGV Vaqueros football.📌 TIMESTAMPS00:00 — Intro02:00 — Edinburg's 100-year chamber milestone05:00 — Population growth: 77K to 108K+08:30 — UTRGV football & the game-day business impact14:00 — Business Playbook Conference: what to expect18:30 — Emmitt Smith: how they booked him22:00 — Sessions: marketing, law, franchises & resources27:00 — Free micro-internship program31:00 — UTRGV economic impact numbers reveal35:00 — Edinburg as a destination & festival city📅 Business Playbook Conference — April 23🎟 Tickets at edinburg.com | Members $50 · Non-members $75🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode of the RGV Business Journal Podcast.#RGVBusiness #EdinburgTX #EmmittSmith #UTRGVFootball #RioGrandeValley #BusinessPodcast #RGV #TexasBusiness

First Brands Group’s bankruptcy is still rippling across the U.S.–Mexico border — triggering layoffs, severance disputes, and raising new questions about how labor laws work on both sides.In this episode of the Rio Grande Valley Business Journal Podcast, Editor Naxiely Lopez-Puente sits down with attorney Francisco Peña, a partner at Cacheaux, Cavazos & Newton, to break down what happens when a U.S. company fails — and thousands of workers in Mexico are left waiting to be paid.Peña explains why laid-off workers in Mexico are legally entitled to severance, why those payments can take years to resolve, and how unions, asset seizures, and cross-border corporate structures complicate the process.The conversation also explores how tariffs and supply chain disruptions contributed to the collapse, what bankruptcy means for maquiladora operations, and how differences between U.S. and Mexican labor law shape outcomes for workers and companies.Looking ahead, Peña outlines what to watch as the USMCA enters review — and how shifting trade policy could impact manufacturing, investment, and jobs across the Rio Grande Valley.Topics covered: • First Brands bankruptcy and layoffs in Mexico and the U.S. • Severance laws and worker protections in Mexico • Cross-border business structures and legal challenges • Tariffs, supply chains, and manufacturing risk • USMCA review and what comes next for trade👉 Subscribe to the Rio Grande Valley Business Journal for more reporting on business, trade, and economic development across South Texas and northern Mexico.

South Texas is building something bigger than most people realize.In this Rio Grande Valley Business Journal podcast episode, reporter Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza sits down with Rick Carrera of the Council for South Texas Economic Progress (COSTEP) to break down how the region is positioning itself for the next wave of manufacturing and industrial growth.The conversation covers:• The Valley’s overlooked manufacturing ecosystem• How a regional “manufacturing census” is reshaping recruitment strategy• The difference between small-scale production and large industrial investment• Why companies are choosing the Rio Grande Valley for expansion• The role of workforce, education, and advanced manufacturing programs• How major projects — from automotive to energy — are changing the region• The growing importance of confidentiality in landing economic dealsCarrera explains how proximity to Mexico, a young workforce, and expanding infrastructure are putting the Rio Grande Valley on the radar for high-paying industries — while also highlighting the challenges around water, power, and regional alignment.🎧 Listen for a deeper look at how manufacturing, policy, and workforce strategy are shaping the Valley’s economic future.Subscribe for more RGV business, economic development, and industry insights.

McAllen City Manager Isaac Tawil joins host Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza to break down some of the biggest economic developments hitting the Rio Grande Valley right now.

In this episode:✈️ A brand-new daily nonstop flight between McAllen and Monterrey — just 45 minutes in the air🛍️ Near-record-breaking sales tax revenues and what they mean for economic development🏙️ The $230 million Bowie mixed-use development coming near the airport🌆 McAllen City Center redevelopment — what's replacing the old civic center🚶 New pedestrian tunnels to connect parks, golf courses, and trail systems🛫 Updates on restoring the Aeromexico Mexico City route and a major terminal expansion

Whether you're a business owner, investor, or just love the RGV, this episode is packed with news you need to hear.

🎙️ Host: Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza👤 Guest: Isaac Tawil, City Manager of McAllen

Subscribe to the Rio Grande Valley Business Journal for the latest on business and economic development in South Texas.

#McAllen #RioGrandeValley #RGV #EconomicDevelopment #TexasBusiness #McAllenAirport #BusinessPodcast #RGVBusiness

How does the Rio Grande Valley advocate for its priorities at the state and federal level?

In this episode of the Rio Grande Valley Business Journal Podcast, Editor Naxi Lopez-Puente interviews Paco Sanchez, the new president and CEO of the Rio Grande Valley Partnership.

They discuss:

• The role of the RGV Partnership in legislative advocacy
• The organization’s influential RGV Legislative Tour
• Workforce shortages in industries like healthcare and water infrastructure
• The new RGV Connect sessions bringing stakeholders together
• Economic challenges and opportunities facing the Valley

The RGV Partnership serves as a regional voice for business and community leaders across Hidalgo, Cameron, Willacy and Starr counties.

Subscribe to the Rio Grande Valley Business Journal for more business and economic development coverage from South Texas.

In this episode of the Rio Grande Valley Business Journal Podcast, host Naxi Lopez sits down with contributor Matt Wilson to discuss two stories drawing attention across South Texas.

Wilson explains the growing concern among farmers and ranchers about the potential return of the screwworm parasite, which devastated the cattle industry decades ago before being eradicated.

The conversation also explores Wilson’s deep investigative work into thousands of newly released Epstein-related documents, which revealed a surprising connection between Jeffrey Epstein and the development of the South Padre Island Golf Club in the early 2000s.

¿Qué está pasando realmente en Matamoros tras el cierre de Tridonex?

Anayancy Ulloa comparte lo que vio en el lugar — organización, incertidumbre y resiliencia en la industria maquiladora.

También analizamos:
• Aranceles
• Fallas aduanales
• Crecimiento en Reynosa
• Economía binacional México-EE.UU.

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What’s really happening in Matamoros after the Tridonex shutdown?

Reporter Anayancy Ulloa shares firsthand observations from outside the plant — organized worker shifts, economic uncertainty, and the resilience of the maquiladora industry.

We also discuss:
• Tariff uncertainty
• Customs system failures
• Reynosa’s continued growth
• The binational economic relationship between Mexico and the U.S.

Subscribe for more business reporting from the Rio Grande Valley and northern Mexico.