The Rio South Texas region is composed of 7 counties in South Texas. With Laredo, Hidalgo and Cameron County being among the fastest growing in North America, the region faces a variety of economic challenges.  It must develop a workforce equipped with skills and talent to compete in a global economy.  Unemployment rates in the Rio South Texas Region have traditionally run significantly higher than the Texas and national averages.  Through a collaborative effort including state and local governments, educational institutions like the University of Texas Pan American and South Texas College and business leaders like the Greater McAllen Alliance; the region is working to improve the economic climate for job creation, talent development, and overall quality of life. In particular, the region has identified advanced manufacturing as the means toward future economic prosperity in the

The Rio South Texas Region is being transformed from a largely agricultural economy into a vibrant region that serves as a hub for major international trade. The region is positioned to be an increasingly important gateway between the US and the global marketplace, as community and government leaders along the U.S.-Mexico border work together to promote international and retail trade, tourism and innovation in advanced manufacturing.