The Third Coast, Post 9/11 Shipping Alternative | NAI Rio Grande Valley

The Third Coast

McAllen Economic Development Corporation

The unique location of the Greater McAllen Alliance corridor positions it as one of the most competitive shipping ports to and from Asia, Europe and South America. Considered by many companies as the third coast, this corridor is the cost effective, post 9/11 shipping alternative. Globally produced goods can be consolidated in one location to serve all North American markets. World events over the last few years have changed the reliability of our traditional logistic systems. Today, smart companies are looking at alternatives.

Shippers have started using the Mexican ports of Manzanillo and Altamira to save time and money. Shipments arriving at these ports are moved by truck or rail to a new dry port in Reynosa, Mexico or distribution warehouses in the greater McAllen area. From here they are shipped to points across North America. This route can save the shipper 20-25% in transportation costs and an average of three days of shipping time. With the increased emphasis on logistics cost and speed to market, it is easy to see the benefits of being able to ship all global production to customers from a single North American location. This virtually eliminates the need for restaging or partial shipments to meet customer demands.

Shipping through this new corridor is faster, cheaper and easier. Just another instance of bridging the Americas (and now the World) for international trade.

Knowledge is Power! Upcoming Constitutional Amendments on the November 3rd Election Ballot | NAI Rio Grande Valley

Knowledge is Power!


Here is an article from TAR's consumer website, www.TexasRealEstate.com that relates to the upcoming Constitutional Amendments on the November 3rd Election Ballot. This is great information to review prior to casting your vote.

Important issues for Texas homeowners

SEPT. 28, 2009

Lost in translation

By GABRIEL LOPEZ

On Nov. 3, 2009, the voters of Texas will once again have an opportunity to take a stand against the burdensome and uneven taxation of residential property. There are four amendments that will directly affect all property owners in the state, and the Texas Association of REALTORS® is imploring all homeowners to vote and be heard on these issues.

So what exactly are you voting for in this election cycle? If you're like me, you have on more than one occasion glanced at a proposed amendment, scratched your head, and had a bewildered look on your face. The language is so full of legislative jargon, and without background information, it is difficult at times to figure out the intent.

I'm sure that anyone who has ever seen an episode of Star Trek has probably wondered, "How is it that aliens from all across the galaxy can speak and understand English?" The television show explained this phenomenon through the use of an accepted convention in science fiction called a "universal translator." No matter what kind of gibberish was spoken, it would always come out as plain English. I have no doubt that anyone who has ever consulted with an attorney on a legal issue probably could've used something like this.

Yes, I am a lawyer. It is a much-maligned profession (and admittedly sometimes deserved). But in this case, I must rise to our defense. Believe it or not, there is a reason why the language of statutes and proposed amendments is so seemingly convoluted. Every word has to be carefully considered and painstakingly analyzed to make sure it meets constitutional requirements, is not overly ambiguous, and will not be misconstrued.

That being said, legalese is definitely not the best way to convey information to voters. So that is why I, your friendly neighborhood association legal counsel, will act as your universal translator for the upcoming election on the proposed constitutional amendments. I'm only going to translate those propositions on the Nov. 3 statewide ballot that directly affect homeowners. By the way, just to be clear, I urge you to join Texas REALTORS® in voting for all of these. Here we go ...

Proposition 2

Legalese: The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for the ad valorem taxation of a residence homestead solely on the basis of the property's value as a residence homestead.

Translation: If you're a homeowner in Texas, you are well aware of the astronomical increases in the appraised values throughout the state, especially if the property is not covered by zoning regulations. The central appraisers are using a practice called "highest and best use," which is a method that allows a property to be valued on potential use rather than the current use. So if your residence homestead happens to be near a new commercial development, you could have a Spock-like, eyebrow-raising experience the next time you get your appraisal. Proposition 2 will fix this problem, mandating that a residence be appraised only on as a residence, regardless of what the highest and best use of the property may be.

Proposition 3

Legalese: The constitutional amendment providing for uniform standards and procedures for the appraisal of property for ad valorem purposes.

Translation: There is currently a hodgepodge of rules and standards for appraisals throughout the 254 counties of Texas. Passing this amendment would allow the state to have direct enforcement and oversight over every appraisal district. This would ensure that there is uniformity of the appraisal processes across the state; and if there were inconsistent appraisal methods among the counties, the state would have the power to establish uniformity. If this amendment were to pass, property owners in counties throughout the state could be assured that they were being evaluated in a similar manner. This is important because state funding for public schools is based on the taxable property in each school district.


Proposition 5

Legalese: The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to establish a single board of equalization for two or more adjoining appraisal entities that elect to provide for consolidated equalizations.

Translation: The main responsibility of the board of equalization is to hear appeals of the appraised value to taxable property and to resolve disputes between taxpayers and the appraisal districts. Appraisal districts have had a difficult time appointing boards in rural counties. By allowing appraisal district to pool together their qualified applicants, it would enable those counties to ensure that the appraisal process is handled professionally and in a timely manner.

Proposition 11

Legalese: The constitutional amendment to prohibit the taking, damaging, or destroying of private property for public use unless the action is for the ownership, use, and enjoyment of the property by the state, a political subdivision of the state, the public at large, or entities granted the power of eminent domain under law or for the elimination of urban blight on a particular parcel of property, but not for certain economic development or enhancement of tax revenue purposes, and to limit the legislature's authority to grant the power of eminent domain to an entity.

Translation: Surprisingly, this one is actually pretty self-explanatory. Both the U.S. and the Texas Constitution authorize the power of eminent domain. This power allows a governmental entity to take private property as long as it is for a "public use" and the owner is adequately compensated. This amendment would narrow the scope under which private property could be taken by eminent domain. It essentially would eliminate the taking of private property for either private economic development (e.g., a shopping mall) or to boost tax revenues. Lastly, as of Jan. 1, 2010, the power of eminent domain could be granted only be a two-thirds vote of the Texas Legislature.

Now that you're armed with your very own universal translator, you can take the steps to live long and prosper. I'd start by voting for propositions 2, 3, 5, and 11 on the Nov. 3 ballot!

Pharr, TX to Benefit from BBVA Compass Shifting Jobs to Texas

BBVA Compass shifts jobs to Texas
San Antonio Business Journal - by Greg Barr
Thursday, September 24, 2009




Fast-growing regional bank BBVA Compass plans to shift 200 jobs from its call center in Birmingham, Ala., to Texas.


The bank plans to phase out call center operations in Alabama and transition the jobs to Pharr, near McAllen, and also to a new call center to be located in San Antonio, according to BBVA spokesman Ed Bilek.

The jobs will be outsourced to call center operator Atento, effective Oct.1.

BBVA Compass, based in Birmingham, is the U.S. banking arm of Spanish financial services giant Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA. The holding company for BBVA’s U.S. operations is based in Houston.


Barr writes for the Houston Business Journal, an affiliated publication to the San Antonio Business Journal.

Report: Texas economy poised for rebound - Austin Business Journal:

Report: Texas economy poised for rebound - Austin Business Journal:

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Federal Reserve Leaves Interest Rates Near Zero | NAI Rio Grande Valley

Federal Reserve leaves interest rates near zero By Don Lee Los Angeles Times | Business

September 24, 2009

Reporting from Washington - The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that it would keep short-term interest rates near zero for the foreseeable future, even though the central bank acknowledged that the economy was recovering from its long downturn.

The announcement after a two-day Fed meeting makes clear that the agency is in no hurry to raise interest rates despite concerns that the federal government's soaring deficits and the Fed's extraordinary stimulus measures will eventually drive up inflation.

The Fed's policy-setting committee said evidence suggested "economic activity has picked up," compared with its Aug. 13 assessment that the economy was merely "leveling out."

This time the Fed also said that "activity in the housing sector has increased" and that businesses' pace of cutting back on investments and staffing had slowed.

But the panel, citing continuing job losses and constrained household spending, said in a statement that "economic activity is likely to remain weak for a time." Substantial slack, or unused capacity, will probably dampen cost pressures and keep inflation subdued for some time, the committee said.

The panel voted 10 to 0 to leave the target for the Fed's key short-term interest rate between zero and 0.25% for "an extended period," which many analysts interpret to mean until at least mid-2010.

Although that's good for consumers paying mortgages and credit cards, "if you're a saver, it's keeping rates down -- you hate it," said Babette Heimbuch, chief executive at the Los Angeles-based thrift FirstFed Financial Corp.

Jack Ablin, chief investment officer at Harris Private Bank in Chicago, said he was encouraged "by the unanimity of the Fed governors, that we have all of them behind this decision to keep rates low."

With high unemployment and bank lending still weak, Ablin added, "I think the Fed is taking a very realistic view. There certainly is a lot of stimulus in the system, but also a lot of slack."

The Fed also announced another cautious move toward eventually pulling back from its unusual interventions in financial markets to keep the economy from collapsing. The Fed is about two-thirds of the way through its previously announced plan to buy as much as $1.25 trillion of government agency mortgage-backed securities by the end of this year.

On Wednesday, the central bank said it would buy the full $1.25-trillion amount but would "gradually slow these purchases" until they are completed next March, along with another program to buy $200 billion in agency debt.

"The mortgage market has gotten a reprieve, and mortgage rates may stay low going into the spring of next year," said Chris Rupkey, an economist at Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi in New York.

But, he added, "there might be some fear that rising interest rates next spring when the Fed stops buying mortgages could put the kibosh on the recovery."

The purchases of mortgage bonds issued by government agencies have helped push down the cost of home loans. They also have made the Fed, in effect, the principal source of financing for the housing market and have contributed to a ballooning of the central bank's balance sheet. Some analysts fear that the Fed's programs are supplying the economy with too much cheap money that will lead to spiraling inflation.

The Fed's plan to wind down the purchases of mortgage-backed securities indicates a stronger confidence in the housing market as the central bank seeks to shift the financing back to the private sector.

Yet it also buys the agency time, said G.U. Krueger, an economist at HousingEcon.com, a research and consulting firm in Los Angeles.

"They're hedging their bets a little bit, keeping their options open in case the market falls again," Krueger said.

With the economy showing signs of improvement, the Fed has come under increasing pressure to address the question of an "exit strategy" for its lending programs.

"The exit strategy will become the focal point of future policy deliberations," California State University economist Sung Won Sohn said in a research note. "After all, a firefighter's first rule of survival is 'Know your way out.' "

The Fed policy-setting panel's next meeting is Nov. 3-4.

don.lee@latimes.com

Ramon: Anzalduas International Bridge should be open before end of year

Ramon: Anzalduas International Bridge should be open before end of year
By Steve Taylor

McALLEN, Sept. 25 - McAllen Bridge Director George Ramon will be going to Washington, D.C., next week with Mayor Richard Cortez to see if he can get a firm date for the opening of the Anzalduas International Bridge.

“We will be talking to the U.S. Department of State and other agencies, trying to set up a date,” Ramon said.

“Hopefully, it will open before year's end. We are working with the appropriate federal agencies and stakeholders to bring this project online sometime in December. It behooves us to have this project ready to start operations when the busiest time for crossings is and that’s November and December.”

Ramon made his remarks in an insightful speech to the Rio Grande Valley-Tamaulipas Bi-National Chambers of Commerce group at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce offices on Thursday.

Giving the keynote address, Ramon spoke about Anzalduas Bridge and the importance of free trade for the Valley and northern Mexico. “Free trade is about breaking down the barriers and that is what NAFTA has done. It was worked,” Ramon said.

While many people think of free trade as a modern concept, because the North American Free Trade Agreement only started in 1994, its origins in Latin America go back at least 150 years, Ramon said.

He paid tribute to free trade pioneers of the 19th century, such as Benito Juárez of Mexico, Simón Bolívar of Venezuela, and José Martí of Cuba. “Their vision was free trade for the Americas,” Ramon said.

Free trade did not happen as quickly as it should have, Ramon said, not because of the complexity of the issue but because of a lack of trust. “The physiological barriers were there 150 years ago,” he said.

The advent of NAFTA, however, has created the largest trading bloc in the world, Ramon said. “Free trade has helped the border economies on both sides of the river,” he said.

In 2008, two-way trade between the U.S. and Mexico was valued at $340 billion, Ramon said. Of this, 80 percent went through Texas and a large part of it went through South Texas. “Trade has increased and the barriers have come down,” he said.

The big problem now, Ramon said, is the port of entries themselves. “Why? Because they are very congested and obviously the events of 9/11 have forced a more dramatic review of people, goods and documents coming into the country, hence the need for new border crossings,” Ramon said.

Ramon joked that he learned the art of patience while working on the Anzalduas International Bridge project. He said he started work on it when his oldest son was in first grade elementary school. That son is now in his third year of college. “It’s been a rather costly, somewhat cumbersome, process but we are here and very near completion of the project,” he said.

The City of McAllen is the managing partner in the Anzalduas bride project. The cities of Mission, Hidalgo and Granjeno are also involved. The City of McAllen has invested $42 million, Ramon said, the federal government $25.5 million, and the state of Texas $28.5 million, not including ancillaries such as utilities, drainage and in-kind contributions. “So, we are looking at well in excess of $100 million in capital investment to benefit the region,” Ramon said.

From the border station on the U.S. side to the border station on the Mexican side, the distance is 3.2 miles. Ramon said the bridge has been designed specifically to facilitate trade. It will have Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology that allows scanners to read laser visas, passports and other entry documents from a distance. It will also have a SENTRI lane, which is a dedicated commuter lane for low risk travelers.

“What we are trying to do is take away some of that congestion from other bridges so as to allow a more efficient flow of goods and people across our bridges. I would like to say this is the port of the future,” Ramon said. “We are going to have the latest and the greatest technology out there. The crossing-the-border experience is going to be much easier.”

Ramon said McAllen city leaders do not necessarily view Anzalduas as a revenue generating bridge in terms of toll collections. “What’s important to us is that it be a trade facilitator. It’s what happens beyond the bridge that’s important to the development of our communities and that’s how we view it,” he said. “This is not just for McAllen. It is for Reynosa, Monterrey, and beyond.”

Ramon added that the construction of Anzalduas International Bridge was yet another example of McAllen “doing something with a regional vision.” He pointed to the expansion of the airport and the local hospitals and the construction of the new convention center as further examples of this regional approach.

“We are doing something not even in our own town, it’s in another city (Mission), just like the bridge we own in Hidalgo (is not in our city). The vision has always been one to improve the border economy and improve the quality of life,” Ramon said.

McAllen Launches New Marketing Web Site | McAllen, TX in the Rio Grande Valley

McAllen launches new marketing Web site

Rio Grande Guardian Staff
Photo by RGG/Steve Taylor

McALLEN, Sept. 24 - The City of McAllen, the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and the McAllen Economic Development Corporation have launched a new Web site to assist visitors and residents with key information about entertainment, recreation, and business.

The Web site address is http://www.exploremcallen.com/.

McAllen Mayor Richard Cortez said that with the launch of the Web site, local nightlife, art and culture, entertainment, shopping, and restaurants are only a “click” away.

“This is only the first step for opening the front doors to our community to residents across the region and parts of northern Mexico,” Cortez said. “I invite residents and visitors to view the site at their convenience. McAllen is a vibrant American city on the border.”

Cortez said that as a growing, diverse city, McAllen’s entertainment offerings are ever expanding. This includes more parks and outdoors spaces, pro sports or new restaurants, stores and clubs, he said.

Having all the information about his bustling city located on one easy to navigate Web site is like one-stop shopping for visitors from around Texas and Mexico, Cortez said. In addition, McAllen residents will be able to use the site to find things to do with their families or when they get out of town visitors, the mayor said.

The Web site has been under development for several weeks and was designed by city staff.

“We wanted to make it as interactive as possible. This is only the first phase and we plan to continue to improve and add more features as the demand for information increases,” Cortez promised.

No.1 - McAllen, Texas: Forbes’ “Best Mid-Sized Cities” for Job Seekers

Midwest cities great for job seekers

By David Balinsky
Forum Columnist
Share this article Published: Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Too often, recent graduates look to cities such as New York, Boston, and Los Angeles to find jobs thinking these locales have a plethora of opportunities.

This year, however, east and west coast cities are not the places to look. Looking closer to home might likely prove more fruitful, according to Forbes. In two lists, one for large cities and another for mid-sized cities, Forbes.com lists the best cities for jobs in 2009.

Overall, Texas dominated the list, but Oklahoma found a spot on the list, as well.

Six Midwest cities found themselves on Forbes’ list for the ten best large cities in America.

Overall, Texas dominated the list, but Oklahoma found a spot on the list, as well.

No. 6 - Oklahoma City - Oklahoma City jumped from 30th on last year’s list. Employment rose a meager 0.4 percent, but considering many large cities lost jobs, this is actually very good.

— Most promising sectors: natural resources, mining and construction

No.5 - Dallas, Texas - Dallas is one of those cities that experienced negative growth. However, it has lost only 0.1 percent employment over the past year. Wholesale and manufacturing are two sectors that led the contraction in employment.

— Most promising sectors: government, education and health services

No. 4 - Ft. Worth, Texas - The economy has slowed but not as much as cities in the Northeast and West coast.

— Most promising sector: transportation

No. 3 - San Antonio, Texas- Education and health care have done quite a bit to spare San Antonio from much of the problems seen in the rest of the country.

— Most promising sectors: health care and education

No. 2 - Houston, Texas- Houston seems to be one of the most stable cities in America. Many job sectors experienced slow and stable job growth despite the economic turmoil the rest of the country experienced.

— Most promising sectors: education, health care, mining, natural resources and wholesale

No. 1 - Austin, Texas - Austin’s job growth during the past year was effectively zero. However, job prospects in many different job sectors make it rate as the best large city in the nation.

Most promising sectors: education, health care, leisure and hospitality

Forbes’ “Best Mid-Sized Cities” ranks four Midwest Cities in the top ten.

Many of these cities have oil and mining supporting them through these tough times. Again, Oklahoma has a representative on this list.

No. 6 - Corpus Christi, Texas - Last year, Corpus Christi was 111th on Forbes’ list. This year oil and construction have helped give it a boost.

— Most promising sectors: natural resources, mining and construction

No. 5 - Kansas City, Kan. - In 2008, Kansas City lost only 600 jobs. This stability is due to everything from oil to business services.

— Most promising sectors: natural resources, business services and government

No. 2 - Tulsa - Oil is usually the first thing most people think of when Tulsa comes to mind. However, Tulsa has found itself in great shape in many different sectors. Business services, health, education and government have all experienced double digit growth over the past year.

— Most promising sectors: natural resources, business services, health, education and government

No.1 - McAllen, Texas - Education and health care grew almost 50 percent over the past five years. Government also employs about a quarter of the population.
— Most promising sectors: health, education and government

Steelcase announces new location in Reynosa South Texas Border Town

Steelcase announces new location in Reynosa
Blog Post by MEDC

Steelcase, a leading manufacturer of designer office furniture, announced plans to open operations in Reynosa. This facility will focus on chairs and will begin production in early 2010.

From the Steelcase news release:

“This will help us improve gross margins and allow the three affected plants to focus on their core product lines,” says Hamid Khorramian, vice president, North America Operations. “The new plant, located near the U.S. – Mexico border and about 250 miles south of San Antonio, Texas, is ideally located so we can serve customers across North America while controlling our shipping costs.”

To read full post by MEDC click here

McAllen, TX one of America’s Best Cities for Jobs: Forbes.com | McAllen, TX in the Rio Grande Valley

Forbes.com has recently named McAllen as one of the top ten cities in American for jobs. The study found that more companies plan to hire employees, resulting in about a 9-percent expected increase in the next quarter.

McAllen has also been named one of the top cities to sustain and grow despite the economic slowdown.

Full Story...

Cameron County gets $4 million grant for rail relocation

Cameron County gets $4 million grant for rail relocation
By LAURA B. MARTINEZ, The Brownsville Herald

The federal government has provided Cameron County with a $4 million grant that will be used to help fund the West Rail Relocation Project.

The project calls for the relocation of the international rail bridge from the downtown areas of Brownsville and Matamoros to less populated areas in both cities.

Construction on the West Rail Relocation Project is expected to begin in spring 2010, County Judge Carlos H. Cascos said Tuesday.

"This critical funding will help close the current funding gap on the estimated total amount for the construction of the new rail bridge," Cascos said. ‘‘This award of $4 million will allow us to go to construction with the necessary funding in place."

The construction cost on the United States side of the rail relocation project is estimated at $35 million.

Local, state and federal funds are funding the project. The county’s West Rail Relocation Project is among seven projects nationwide that were awarded funding by the Federal Railroad Administration’s Rail Line Relocation and Improvement Program.

To be eligible for grant funding, a project must include the reduction of adverse effects of rail traffic on safety and motor vehicle traffic flow and not negatively affect a community’s quality of life, according to the FRA.

In addition, grant recipients are required to pay at least 10 percent of the project’s cost.

Cameron County is contributing $2.5 million to the project.

The relocation project will move the rail bridge to the west side of Brownsville near the River Bend area. Moving the rail bridge is expected to reduce traffic jams and help expedite emergency medical help when needed around the Cameron County area.

Officials said the new rail bridge would also improve the ability for trains to cross at all hours. It should eliminate the three-to six-hour delays when trains are not allowed to cross during peak motor vehicle travel times during the morning and evening hours.

In late 2008, county officials traveled to Washington, D.C., to make a technical presentation to the FRA prior to submitting its application.

The project has been in the works for nearly a decade.

SPI's 'leaning tower' to be demolished

SPI's 'leaning tower' to be demolished
By Rio Grande Guardian

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Sept. 21 - Ocean Tower, the 31-story building dubbed by many as the “leaning tower of South Padre Island," is to be demolished.

The 158-unit skyscraper, situated on the north end of the island, was sinking slowly into the sand.

The tower will be demolished, probably in mid-November, through implosion by Controlled Demolition, Inc., the company that set a Guinness World Record when it “imploded” the Seattle Kingdome.

“After careful consideration, we believe it is in the best interest of all parties involved, including the people of South Padre Island, to demolish Ocean Tower,” said Ocean Tower, LP, in a prepared statement.

“Unfortunately, multiple engineering studies have led us to the conclusion that it is not economically feasible to complete the building and to provide the caliber of condominium tower that we intended to build. We believe the responsible action at this point is to clear the site to enable potential future development of the property.”

In the statement, Oceans Tower said it is important for residents and visitors to know the problems with the building are specific to this project. “We believe South Padre Island remains a viable and desirable place to build that continues to attract economic development and growth,” the statement said.

Construction of Ocean Tower was halted in summer 2008 after it was determined that the building had experienced differential settlement of more than 14 inches, which resulted in cracks in the beams and columns of the structure.

It was supposed to offer a luxurious setting for South Padre Island tourists, with 134 condominiums on 25 floors. Four high-speed elevators were installed along with fine interior design, luxurious bathrooms, gourmet kitchens, security, hydro-jet pools, a Beach Club; a Kid’s Club, a gym & spa, a media room and much more. Penthouse and condominiums levels were available ranging from two-bedrooms with two-baths to three-bedrooms with three-baths.

Developers of nearby properties were concerned that news about Ocean Tower's safety would hurt their projects.

Last November, Antun T. Domit, of Ocean Tower SPI, sent a letter to buyers of condominiums in Ocean Tower to say there were no immediate prospects for completion of the project. Local realtors had begun selling units in the building to local Rio Grande Valley residents, as well as some from Mexico, Canada and Europe.

”Over the past six months, we attempted to maintain the commitment of Ocean Tower’s
general contractor and lenders while studying the settlement and repair of the building,” Domit said.

“Unfortunately, our efforts have been unsuccessful. Last week, with a proposal pending for the study and repair of the tower, the general contractor discharged its subcontractors and walked off the job.”

Domit said the contractor’s refusal to participate further in the study came at a time when Ocean Tower’s lenders refused to advance additional funds for the study, repair, and/or construction of the tower.

“With the future of Ocean Tower in serious question, we release you from your purchase
agreement and plan to immediately return your earnest money,” Domit said.

“This has been a difficult decision for us to make, but under the circumstances and given our desire to maintain your trust, we feel that we have no alternative. Obviously, no one anticipated the extensive delay or the problems the project is presently suffering. We are taking steps to have your earnest money returned. Please take a look at the attached release.”

In its statement on Monday, Ocean Tower, LP, acknowledged that litigation is currently pending against the geotechnical and structural engineers of Ocean Tower. There are claims that the settlement of the condominiums is the result of a flawed engineering design.

Ocean Tower, LP, said it has hired one of the nation’s premier demolition firms, Controlled Demolition, Inc. (CDI), to demolish the tower through implosion. The company promises as little impact as possible on the local community.

CDI has safely demolished thousands of structures worldwide, including the Seattle Kingdome, the Stardust Hotel in Las Vegas and the RCA Dome in Indianapolis.

Mark Loizeaux, president of CDI, said his company is in the process of establishing a site office and mobilizing resources at Ocean Tower. He said CDI will maintain frequent communication with regulatory agencies and adjacent property owners to ensure the local community’s concerns are addressed.

“In the coming weeks, we will be contacting nearby property owners, listening to their needs and keeping them informed throughout the process,” Loizeaux said. “We have been demolishing structures for more than 65 years and have an unparalleled safety and success record. Our methods are designed to minimize disruption, optimize safety and protect adjacent properties and the environment. We will conduct the Ocean Tower demolition with the utmost sensitivity to the local community.”

More than 98 percent of the above-grade materials used to build Ocean Tower will be recycled or reused, including all steel and concrete, according to Ocean Tower, LP. Steel and concrete can be recycled for other development projects in the region. Items that can be removed safely and reused, such as bathtubs, granite flooring and windows, are currently being removed from the building, the company said.

Record numbers of students attending STC, UTPA

Record numbers of students attending STC, UTPA

Dave Gragg
The Monitor

McALLEN — Student enrollment is on the rise at the Upper Rio Grande Valley’s two main schools of higher learning.

South Texas College reported the number of students enrolled in its campuses jumped by more than 5,000 students this year compared to a year ago. The University of Texas-Pan American, meanwhile, has almost 1,200 more students than it had at this time last year.

Enrollment in community colleges typically goes up when the economy slows down and jobs are scarce, said Juan Mejia, STC’s vice president of academic affairs.

"The economy played a role, but not the only role,” he said.

He also credits several joint initiatives with school districts and economic development corporations such as dual-enrollment programs, in which students receive both high school and college credit for taking a course.

“The community has built a college-going and workforce-readiness culture,” Mejia said.

The college also has increased its online offerings and night and weekend classes, he said.

The more than 27,000 students at STC are equivalent to almost 20,000 full-time students, so many students are taking bigger course loads than they have in the past, Mejia said.

STC’s strong relationship with UTPA makes it easier for students to take basic courses at the lower-cost STC, then transfer those credits to finish out their bachelor’s degrees at the university, he said.

UTPA’s 18,000 students translate into about 14,000 full-time students, according to the university’s Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness, although official numbers won’t be available until mid-October.

Dave Gragg is the metro editor for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4435.

Local University Makes Forbes "Best Public Colleges" List | NAI Rio Grande Valley

Forbes Ranks UTPA as One of the Best Public Colleges in the Country

Posted: 09/16/2009

Author: UTPA Office of University Relations

Forbes has rated The University of Texas-Pan American as one of country’s Best Public Colleges in its recently published “America’s Best Colleges 2009” rankings.

"As I have said before, UTPA is a jewel in our midst and a lot of people don’t appreciate that. This is a sterling example of the importance and value of UTPA to the region," Dr. Charles A. Sorber, UTPA interim president said.

UTPA ranked No. 32 in the top 100 list for “America’s Best Public Colleges” category. Overall, the Edinburg campus was listed at 218 in the complete list of “America’s Best Colleges” rankings, which profiled 600 universities and colleges from across the nation.

Taking the No. 1 spot in the overall and public colleges categories was the U.S. Military Academy. Other Texas universities that made the public colleges list included The University of Texas at Austin (No. 19), Texas A&M University – College Station (No. 23), Texas Tech University (No. 55), The University of Texas at El Paso (No. 72), and The University of Texas at Arlington (No. 84).

The second annual rankings were collected by Forbes and the Center for College Affordability and Productivity and were based on student evaluations of courses and faculty, post-graduate success, average student debt after four years, and four-year college graduation rates.

To read more about the Forbes’ “America’s Best Colleges” rankings, visit http://www.forbes.com/2009/08/02/best-colleges-ratings-opinions-ranking-2009_land.html.

NAI Rio Grande Valley, McAllen, TX South Texas

Valley's regional marketing plan comes together with logo, Web site | NAI Rio Grande Valley

Valley's regional marketing plan comes together with logo, Web site

September 17, 2009 8:20 PM

Jared Janes

The Monitor

WESLACO — The Rio Grande Valley never made it past the short list.

An incentive package the region’s leaders quietly put together to lure in an aerospace manufacturer was still in consideration at the end, said Steve Ahlenius, president of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce. But the company looking to expand its operations instead turned to options in other states.

The “Project Thrust” effort was the first collaborative approach to economic development by the Rio South Texas Economic Council, a 19-member alliance formed earlier this year to promote the region.

The group’s first shot at economic development ended unsuccessfully, but Ahlenius said it showed them that working together at least puts them on the lists.

“It never would have happened” without the council, Ahlenius said. “There’s a lot of companies that are going to start coming because of this.”

Council members signed a resolution Thursday that Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas said is a step toward “collaborating to compete.”

He unveiled the group’s Web site — http://www.riosouthtexas.com/ — and presented its logo and slogan, “2 Countries, 1 Region, Many Choices.”

The collaboration resolution states the partners will work together to make the region competitive, promote its benefits and help each other to land projects.

Salinas, the chairman of the council and catalyst behind the effort, said the resolution pulls together a region that is among the nation’s 25 most populous if neighboring communities in Mexico are included.

It also gives the region the financial power to spread its message.

The council’s marketing budget through its member dues is $300,000, a number that could grow as it recruits businesses and other groups into its ranks.

An economic development team was hired this summer to develop a marketing strategy for the council.

Some items — the Web site, logo and slogan — were unveiled Thursday, but officials were tight-lipped on other elements of a 100-page marketing plan.

Splash events are in the works for Houston and New York to promote the region using a gamut of mail-outs, publications and studies.

The Web site will provide regional statistics on the workforce, incentives and educational assets, and it will soon include a database of available properties.

The effort gives smaller cities like San Juan access to marketing tools like the property database that it wouldn’t have with its own limited budget, said Miki McCarthy, executive director of the San Juan Economic Development Corp.

San Juan and other small cities usually can’t compete for companies seeking assets like a 200,000-square-foot building, she said. But the regional effort gives the city a chance to promote its small assets like a 50-acre plot of land that may be overlooked.

McCarthy said larger cities like McAllen can’t draw in big prospects without the support of smaller cities, which can benefit from having better job opportunities for their own residents.

“We’re dots on the map but we’re all feeding into the same population pool,” she said. “We can’t do it alone.”
____

Jared Janes covers Hidalgo County government, Edinburg and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4424.

McAllen Area is the New Logistics and Distribution Center of North America | NAI Rio Grande Valley

McAllen is the new Memphis, says Patridge

Article from Rio Grande Guardian
By Joey Gomez and Steve Taylor

McAllen Economic Development President and CEO Keith Patridge.
(File photo: RGG/Joey Gomez)



McALLEN, Sept. 18 - The greater McAllen area is the new Memphis, Tennessee, the logistics and distribution center of North America, says McAllen Economic Development Corporation President Keith Patridge.

“Everybody used to call Memphis the center of the U.S. for distribution and logistics. I think we are now the Memphis of North America,” Patridge told the Guardian, in an exclusive interview.

Patridge made his comments after learning of the findings in the latest MetroMonitor quarterly report from the prestigious Brookings Institution. The report shows the greater McAllen area to be among the 20 most vibrant metro areas in the country. In fact, McAllen was one of only three metros to surpass pre-recession peak output in the second quarter of 2009. The others were Austin and Washington.

The report shows only five metro areas with stabilized employment numbers. Of those five, only McAllen posted a gain for the second straight quarter.

The Guardian asked Patridge why things were looking up for greater McAllen.

“I think it's a combination of a lot of things. Number one, it’s our demographics. We have a young and growing workforce,” Patridge said. “Even though the job market is very slow because of the downturn, once the economy comes back we will see the underlying labor shortages that come from the retiring baby boomers coming back. I think that is an important part, demographically we're strong.”

Geography plays a big part too, Patridge said. “We are centrally located in the North American population center, strategically located next to the largest market in the world, with very cost-effective manufacturing facilities just across the river from Reynosa. It also allows us to use the ports in Mexico to source products and components from the rest of the world and bring them in to Mexico, where we can then produce products and then ship them directly to the customer in the U.S,” Patridge said.

Another factor is the exchange rate, Patridge explained. “We are seeing costs go up again in China. Mexico, because of the economic downturn and the Peso to Dollar exchange rate, is actually starting to become more competitive. As the marketplace is constantly changing, right now Mexico is more competitive for the U.S. market than China is,” he said.

“It’s resulting in a lot of companies that are looking at focusing more attention on Mexico and the South Texas area. Because we are so tied in with what happens in Reynosa and Mexico, you'll continue to see this area being very attractive for companies to locate and expand. We are seeing that with our existing companies, they're continuing to expand all the time and it's going to create opportunities for us.”

Patridge does not want to play down the impact of the recession, which he acknowledges has not the global marketplace hard. The Texas Workforce Commission reported a slight decrease in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission MSA unemployment numbers on Friday. In August, the percentage was 11.4 percent, compared to 11.5 percent in July.

“We have felt the recession down here, but not really at the level of other locations. We are continuing to do pretty well in comparison to other locations. We are continuing to see companies coming in,” Patridge said.

Patridge cited the decision of Panasonic to move its divisional headquarters to McAllen from Knoxville, Tennessee. Alps Electric is moving its design center and much of its corporate support staff to McAllen from other locations across the United States.

“Those are good paying, more executive type, jobs that will help us provide job opportunities for many of our college graduates from both STC and UTPA,” Patridge said. “That's what it's all about. It's being able to not only train our folks here, but also create good paying jobs for them here locally. A lot of that is coming from the downturn and from the need for companies to reduce costs. They have identified that it just makes sense for them to move a lot of those port operations down closer to their plants which tend to be in Mexico.”

The future looks bright, Patridge insisted. “I think we are in a very good position because of our demographics, our workforce, our geographic location and just the trends of companies to reduce inventory and going to more of a build to order-type scenario,” he said.

“You can't do that from China or India. It's going to have to be from North America, and I think we're primed to see that growth. We're excited. You're exactly right. Just as we have an impact that is less than in most areas, I think we will be one of the first to come back also.”

Ramiro Garza, executive director of the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation, agreed with Patridge’s assessment. Garza told the Guardian he was very pleased to see the high marks being given to McAllen-Edinburg-Mission in the Brookings Institution report.

“It's very important because it shows the data that supports the fact that the area continues to do very well compared to other parts of the country. If you look at the report it shows that our metro was the only one that created jobs in the first two quarters of 2009. We are the only metro that is growing in terms of Gross Metro Product, which is really the way the area is evaluated,” Garza said.

Asked what factors led to this particular success, Garza said: “Our proximity to Mexico, the border and the fact that our Valley is stabilized; the fact that our population continues to grow. We are the only area that continues to grow at a rate faster than most areas in the country.”

Garza said Edinburg has several new and exciting projects on the horizon. In the industrial park, two manufacturers from Mexico are set to create about 30 jobs, he said. And the local call center, Tele-Performance, is also adding jobs.

“There is also a long term care facility being built here in Edinburg with about $7 million being invested and about 200 jobs being created on West University. There is a plaza being built on Trenton Road, which we just been approved through the EDC. It's a 30,000 square foot facility,” Garza said.


Write Joey Gomez and Steve Taylor

Development Boost Along Expressway 83 | Jackson Triangle McAllen, TX | NAI Rio Grande Valley

Development Boost Along Expressway 83
By Elizabeth C. Martinez
Valley Business Report

As economic pressures seem to be easing in certain parts of the country, phone calls from individuals making inquiries about retail and office space in McAllen has increased recently, according to Mike Blum, partner and managing broker for NAI Rio Grande Valley.

“In the past few weeks there have been more calls and showings of property for office and retail space,” Blum related. “The properties that people show most interest in McAllen are on North 10th Street, the downtown area, and especially along Expressway 83.”

One commercial retail plaza that has been constantly improving is Jackson Triangle, which is located on the Northwest corner of the intersection of Expressway 83 and Jackson Road in McAllen. The property will consist of approximately 37,800 square feet of retail space. The first of the Jackson Triangle tenants included Taco Cabana and AT&T. Since then, Baskin Robbins and Pay-N-Trade have joined them. Most recently, a sign for Cabrito Grill Steaks and Piano Bar went up.

Some of the most important things that businesses think about when choosing a retail of office space include: Is the location an ideal spot? Is there traffic in the area? And is it the right price?

Pedro G. Ayala, president of PGA Studio, Inc. a McAllen-based architecture firm, thinks about these questions when he signs on to work on a project.

“As a design principal for the firm, I feel I have a responsibility to create spaces that are going to be right for the occupants as well as their consumers,” Ayala explained.

“When it comes to building a retail environment, we always think about not only accomplishing the owner’s goals such as maximizing the site and cost constraints, and creating an attractive façade for the community and not turning it’s back on a major street as seen in other Big Box Retail Zones.”

Ed Alvarado, AIA, who worked on the Jackson Triangle project with Ayala, noted that the area is exposed to over 170,000 vehicles per day. Because of its unique triangular shape, doors face the bordering streets, thus creating the most storefront for the owner and the tenant. Not bad, for businesses who seek visibility.

Given the positive signs commercial real estate is beginning to move in the Upper Valley, there still remains to be a heighten focus on falling rent prices and the increasing number of defaults on commercial real estate loans.


Elizabeth C. Martinez is a partner in the public relations firm of Media Morphosis phone (956) 821-8662. Martinez served as Managing Editor and General Manager of The Business Times

Two U.S. Companies Shifting Production to McAllen, TX Border Town, Reynosa, MX | NAI Rio Grande Valley

Kohler sinks U.S. plant, expands in Reynosa

September 16, 2009 11:23 PM

By Sean Gaffney

The Monitor

McALLEN — Two U.S. companies announced plans this week to shift production to factories in Reynosa, bolstering unemployment in a maquiladora industry assailed by a global downturn in manufacturing.

On Monday, Kohler Co. said it will shutter a U.S. plant and fold production of stainless steel sinks into its Reynosa facility. On Wednesday, Steelcase, an office furniture manufacturer, said it will open a new facility to build chairs in early 2010.

Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Steelcase said it was unsure how many jobs the new facility would create.

Kohler said the expansion of its factory in Reynosa will not create new jobs. The company will rehire workers that had been laid off. Kohler declined to say how many jobs have been cut this recession.

With the downturn in housing, demand for sinks manufactured at Kohler’s Searcy, Ark., facility had fallen and the company had to fuse production with the factory in Reynosa, Todd Weber, a vice president for the Kohler, Wis.-based manufacturer said.

“Both of our plants are underutilized,” he added. Kohler expects to close the Searcy facility by the end of the year.

Steelcase expects to launch production at its new factory in early 2010, said Jeanine Holquist, a company official. None of the company’s other factories will be closed and no workers will be laid off, she added.

“We were looking for a place to consolidate our chair production,” Holquist said. “It gave us a great location to serve customers across North America and it helps us to control shipping cost as well.”

Kohler and Steelcase are the latest major manufacturers this summer to announce expansion in Reynosa. LG Electronics said in July that it was folding production at a plant just across the border from California into its Reynosa maquiladora. The South Korean manufacturer said it expects to create 1,200 jobs with the shift which is expected to finish this month.

A global downturn in manufacturing has slammed Reynosa’s maquiladoras this year, contributing to a 5.3 percent decline in employment. Analysts have said the job loss is slowing and that manufacturing in Reynosa should begin recovering by 2010.

Often, new employment in Reynosa comes at the cost of domestic manufacturing jobs. At the Searcy, Ark. plant, which famously weathered a strike that lasted from December 2006 to November 2007, the majority of Kohler’s 57 employees will lose their jobs the day before Thanksgiving.

Buck Layne, president of the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce, said that while the city was disappointed to lose the factory, the area has actually added jobs in recent months that could help mitigate the loss. The factory, which opened in 1966, once employed more than 400 people, Layne said.

The Reynosa plant, the other facility which manufactures sinks, opened in 2002 when the “housing market was thriving (and) demand for stainless steel sinks was equally robust,” the company said in a press release.

The recent economic revitalization in Searcy, a city with a population of about 20,000, has been led by natural gas companies, which have added about 2,000 jobs in the last 18 months, Layne said.

“It’s a global economy these days, but we need to make sure that we’re playing on an even field,” Layne said. “It’s just very discouraging to see jobs leaving the U.S.”

Sean Gaffney covers business, the economy and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-443

McAllen, TX Continues to be Recognized Nationally for Enduring the Storm in the Mist of Bad News

Brookings: Economic picture not looking strong for Tampa Bay area
Tampa Bay Business Journal

The economy is no longer in a freefall but that hasn’t stopped three metropolitan areas in the Tampa Bay region to be included among the 20 weakest performing areas in the country.

A new report from the Brookings Institution shows that Tampa-St. Petersburg, Bradenton-Sarasota and Lakeland are among 20 metro areas that combined have sustained an average employment decline of 8.2 percent and an average home price drop of 11 percent over the last year. They join five other Florida metros: Cape Coral, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando and Palm Bay.

Bradenton-Sarasota is 12.5 percent below its peak employment levels before the start of the current recession, worse than the 7.3 percent fall from Tampa-St. Petersburg and 4.1 percent drop from the country as a whole. Florida dominates the list of metro areas experiencing the largest job losses from their peak, joining Ohio and California.

The Tampa, Bradenton and Lakeland metros, however, are losing jobs at a slower rate in the second quarter than they did in the first quarter, a statistic Miami and Palm Bay can’t latch on to since their job losses were greater in the second quarter than in the first quarter. Only Akron, Ohio; Buffalo, N.Y., Columbia, S.C.; Madison, Wis., and McAllen, Texas, gained jobs in the second quarter of 2009 compared with the first quarter.

Housing prices played a big role in the report’s results. Florida metros make up nearly half the bottom 15 in year-over-year house price index changes.
Tampa metro prices were down 11.4 percent compared to the second quarter of 2008. Bradenton metro prices were down 14 percent.

Miami-Fort Lauderdale had the biggest drop of all the metros in Florida with a 19.3 percent decline, but none could top Las Vegas, where home prices have fallen 24.4 percent over the last year.

The number of bank-owned properties, or REOs, per 1,000 mortgageable properties between March and June rose in most Florida metros, but Bradenton led the nation in reducing its number of REOs by 0.43 percent. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, on the other hand, had the worst change among the top metros, gaining 2.88 percent in REOs.

The quarterly MetroMonitor study from Brookings is designed to peek “beneath the hood” of national economic statistics to portray the varied metropolitan landscape of recession and recovery across the country, a release said. MetroMonitor tracks employment, gross metropolitan product, housing prices and REOs as a basis for its conclusions and covers any metro area that had at least 500,000 residents in 2007, which collectively contain two-thirds of the nation’s jobs and generate three-quarters of GDP.

Another Lease in the Neuhaus Tower | NAI Rio Grande Valley McAllen, TX

Another lease by NAI Rio Grande Valley in the Neuhaus Tower, McAllen, TX. We are pleased to welcome the Valley Symphony Orchestra & Chorale to the Neuhaus Tower.

Mike Blum, Linda Cantu & Roger Stolley with NAI Rio Grande Valley were the leasing agents.

Anzalduas International Bridge in the Heart of Advanced Manufacturing | NAI Rio Grande Valley

America's Newest International Bridge in the Heart of Advanced Manufacturing

PR Newswire United Business Media

MCALLEN, Texas ,Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- In a region heavily dependant on cross-border trade comes the Anzalduas International Bridge, the nation's newest crossing into the industrial border cities in Mexico.
There are over one million people working at some 4,000 maquiladoras concentrated along the U.S./Mexico border. Maquiladoras are manufacturing or export assembly plants operated in Mexico under preferential tariff programs established by the U.S. and Mexican governments.
The presence of these maquiladoras provides considerable advantages to the economic environment along the border by increasing trade, generating employment and acquiring local resources - all important stimuli to the economy in McAllen and the rest of the South Texas area.
The benefits of low-cost Mexican labor and the opportunities created by NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Agreement) have kept many foreign companies turning to the maquiladoras for labor and advanced manufacturing processes. Most lie within a short drive from the border and less than 15 minutes away from the city of McAllen -- the perfect location to take advantage of the international market and the opportunities created through NAFTA.
Although no date has officially been set, the Anzalduas Bridge is scheduled to open in October 2009 and will directly connect Mission and McAllen, TX to the industrial hub of Reynosa, Mexico. It will offer a quicker and safer route for crossing the border, and will eventually be the most efficient way for commercial traffic from northern Mexico to reach U.S. highways.
McAllen and its surrounding sister cities are equipped with world-class infrastructure connecting businesses to local, international and global communities. With close proximity to the Mexican border cities of Reynosa, Matamoros, Monterrey, and with the infrastructure in place to reach Mexico with ease, the area provides unmatched opportunities and resources for businesses looking to relocate.
As McAllen and the rest of South Texas continue to develop, and with the opening of the Anzalduas International Bridge, the economic ties between South Texas and Mexico will also continue to strengthen.

SOURCE McAllen

Why should I locate my business in a business park? | 495 Commerce Center McAllen, TX in the Rio Grande Valley | NAI Rio Grande Valley

When looking for a location for the life of your business considering a business park may be the way to go. Business Parks offer its residents flexibity, growth opportunities and development standards that ensure the value of their investment. To better understand the benefits of locating your business in a business park I have shared an excerpt from Business Park and Industrial Development Handbook by Anne Frej.

“The business parks of today are the product of an evolutionary process. From their antecedents in the manufacturing-oriented industrial estates and parks of the early 20th century, they have become dynamic workplace settings for business, incubators for new technologies, and employment centers that contribute to the economic life of many communities.

Flexibility is key to their success. Business parks not only accommodate a mix of activities such as storage, light manufacturing, research, and office functions, all in a planned and controlled setting; they also can be adapted in form and function to meet changes in the market. This attribute has been critical in recent years, as rapid technological innovation has created new requirements for the industrial sector. The growth of e-commerce and just-in-time distribution systems has led to the transformation of warehouses into sophisticated logistics centers. The need for flexible work spaces that can house office and industrial activities under one roof has resulted in new hybrid buildings known as flex space. The growth of employee-intensive operations such as call centers and data processing centers at business parks has increased population densities there and resulted in requirements for more parking and better on-site amenities and services.

For occupiers, business parks offer the capacity to grow and expand at the same location. With multiple buildings of different types, sizes, and prices to choose from, all in one business park, startup companies can bring operations in small-scale incubator space and eventually move to more prestigious headquarters without ever changing their operations, from high visibility corporate headquarters to inexpensive back-office or flex space. Leasing space, buying a facility, or having it built to specifications are also possible options for occupiers in modern multiphase business parks.

For developers, business parks offer flexibility as well. Despite business parks’ being long-term investments with large budgets because of their size and infrastructure requirements, developers have the benefit of deciding whether to sell unimproved land parcels or completed buildings in a business park. Risk is also minimized by the opportunity to phase development, relying on positive market conditions or formal lease or sale agreements before proceeding with construction. Many developers will not initiate a project until a formal commitment has been received to lease or buy a major portion of the project.

Communities reap potential benefits from business parks. In an era of increasing competition to attract new businesses and jobs, many governments see business parks as a tool to stimulate economic development. In some cases, the agreement is strong enough to warrant the public sector’s active participation in the formation of business parks and the provision of tax incentives or financing assistance to developers.” Read more

In most cases land or building space within a business park is going to come with a higher price tag. But when determining the right location for the life of your business it is important to consider the price verses your cost. Price is a one time thing, and usually cheaper on the on set, but cost is over the lifetime of your investment. A lot of locations can beat business parks on price, but very rarely can they beat on cost. Since cost is lifetime thing, don’t you want the best possible location for your investment?

495 Commerce Center in McAllen, TX located in the Rio Grande Valley is an excellent example of a business park development done right. The 110 acre master-planned business and professional community offers a strategic location in an ideal setting that has proven to be a sound investment. Two government agencies, call center, and several professional buildings already call 495 Commerce Center home. Take a video tour to see first hand what a true business park is all about.

How has Texas Weathered the Economic Storm? NAI Rio Grande Valley McAllen, TX in the Rio Grande Valley

Article by Texas Realtor August 2009

Go figure

Although the Texas economy is in a recession, it’s weathering it better than the rest of the nation as a whole. Here are some facts and figures to give you a sense of how the state is doing.

2.6% Percentage of jobs lost in Texas between June 2008 and June 2009

4.2% Percentage of jobs lost in the entire U.S. between June 2008 and June 2009

2.7% Increase in Texas unemployment rate between June 2008 and June 2009

3.9% Increase in U.S. unemployment rate between June 2008 and June 2009

$154,700 Median price of single-family home in Texas in June 2008

$155,000 Median price of single-family home in Texas in June 2009

Source: Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University

The Right Location for the Life of Your Business | 495 Commerce Center McAllen, South Texas in the Rio Grande Valley

Strategic Location
495 Commerce Center is a mixed-use development, planned to put your business on the fast track to success. This Class-A business park is strategically located in McAllen, TX in the Rio Grande Valley. View video tour and property photos.

495 Commerce Center provides excellent access to nearby international bridges and is only minutes from the McAllen Miller International Airport. 495 is less than 60 miles from a deep port, 240 miles from San Antonio and 120 miles from Monterrey, Mexico.

495 Commerce Center is also close to business services and community support viable for any business. Whether your business is professional, retail, manufacturing, showroom, distribution or service-oriented, 495 Commerce Center puts you in the right place at the right time. At 495 Commerce Center you will enjoy direct access & close proximity to:
Regional transportation
Future Interstate I-69
McAllen’s main post office
Fed-Ex & UPS hubs
Hospitals & medical support services
National retailers
International airport
2 international bridges
Federal, State & County courts

Wise Investment
Your location in 495 Commerce Center will be a secure investment. Architectural and development standards, an owner’s association and a common area maintenance program will promote enduring property values. Development standards control permitted building types, uses and mix, as well as quality of construction, parking, landscaping and the architectural character of the project.

Location
495 Commerce Center is situated on FM 495 (Pecan Blvd.), a prominent thoroughfare that offers high visibility and easy access to major transportation arteries. Thoughtfully designed landscaping elements, including a lake and jogging trails, enhance the campus like quality of this business park.

Ideal location for:
Call centers
Manufacturer showrooms
Distribution centers
Warehousing
Professional offices
Retail
Government buildings

For more information and prices about 495 Commerce Center please contact Charles D. Mueller with NAI Rio Grande Valley

Companies find refuge from recession in McAllen

(Employment : McAllen-Edinburg-Mission) 8/17/2009 1:00:00 PM
(McAllen) - RECON

International companies uprooted by the nationwide recession are planting roots in the Rio Grande Valley.
ALPS Automotive Inc., Fujitsu Ten Corp. and Panasonic Electronic Devices Corp. are moving large portions of their businesses from the Midwest and the South to McAllen. The three auto parts suppliers have had a presence in Reynosa for years, but want to cut costs as auto sales sag.
Fujitsu Ten is moving its distribution and logistics operations from Rushville, Ind., to a newly leased building on Ware Rd. The move, which should be complete by the end of September, will create 32 new jobs in McAllen.
Panasonic has found itself in a similar situation. The company — which produces speakers, switches and censors — announced last week it will move its headquarters from Knoxville, Tenn., to McAllen.
It is also moving its speaker assembly operation from Forks of the River, Tenn., to its manufacturing plant in Reynosa.
The speaker assembly operations move should be complete by December. Headquarters will open in April 2010.
ALPS decided to move its support operations — quality control, customer services, planning and purchasing — from Detroit to McAllen when it learned the McAllen Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) was working to create a college-educated workforce.
And the recession has accelerated the move.
The MEDC has been cooperating with the engineering department at University of Texas Pan-American to prepare Valley residents for careers with these companies.
The department graduated four engineers when it opened in 1995. It now graduates 100 engineers a year.[Brownsville Herald]

Rio Grande Valley retail market continues to expand

(Retail : McAllen-Edinburg-Mission) 8/18/2009

Retail activity in the Rio Grande Valley continues to expand, albeit not at the pace enjoyed over the past 5 years, according to Randy Summers of Davis Equity Realty in Weslaco.
Sales tax revenue for the entire Rio Grande Valley is about the same as last year, but some individual cities are down 8 to 10 percent while others, such as Weslaco, Mercedes and Edinburg, are up 8 to 12 percent.
JCPenney and Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse are under construction and will open in Weslaco in October and November, respectively. Panda Express will open in McAllen by year’s end and has plans to open five to seven units in the Rio Grande Valley.
Rooms To Go is under construction in McAllen and will open in the third quarter. CVS/pharmacy has entered the Rio Grande Valley market this year and has five locations under construction or opened. Walgreen’s, which controls the market share in this area with 13 locations, has a little more than a handful on the way.
The most active retailers leasing at this time are budget tenants like Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, Dollar General, as well as some of the soft good stores such as Ross Dress for Less, Marshalls, Bealls, and Melrose.
Walmart recently completed and opened a new store in Penitas; SDI Development is completing the JCPenney and Lowe’s development in Weslaco; and First Hartford Development is beginning the second phase of the Shoppes of Rio Grande in Edinburg.
Simon Properties is almost complete with Palms Crossing in McAllen; the Chelsea Development’s Premium Outlet Stores in Mercedes completed its third phase this year; and Davis Equity Realty is completing leasing on the Walmart SuperCenter-anchored Trenton Town Center in Edinburg and the Lowe’s-anchored Harlingen Plaza in Harlingen.

[Texas Real Estate Business]
Real Estate Center at A&M University

McAllen Construction Permits (Commercial & Residential) 01-07/2009

McAllen construction permits issued Jan.-July 2009
(Mixed-Use : McAllen-Edinburg-Mission) 8/28/2009
McAllen Building Permits January-July 2009
Issued Permits
1,972
Fees Collected
$229,957
Valuation
$155,231,750


Tables show total amount of building permits issued (commercial and residential). Permits issued includes only those extended for actual construction (new, addition, remodel, etc.).
See the full report at the Texas Center for Border Economic and Enterprise Development.[Texas Center for Border Economic and Enterprise Development]

City of McAllen, TX - Latest News > Road To Anzalduas International Bridge Gets State Funding

City of McAllen, TX - Latest News > Road To Anzalduas International Bridge Gets State Funding