Business Retention and Expansion Important in U.S. and Mexico

85% of New Jobs Come From Business Retention and Expansion

The McAllen Economic Development Corporation has taken a new approach in recruiting new investment to our region. Since 2001, MEDC has been actively working with companies in the McAllen MSA through the Business Retention and Expansion Program (BRE) on the U.S. side, which allows the staff to stay informed with the needs of local businesses. Due to the different obstacles and opportunities for growth among each company, the MEDC staff is able to help identify what challenges may lie ahead and are able to react to meet industry needs. Through the implementation of the BRE Program, Workforce Solutions, South Texas College, The University of Texas Pan America and the MEDC staff are working as a team to help our existing companies grow.

Janie Ramos, Vice President of U.S. Recruitment and Business Retention and Expansion, comments, “Our economic prosperity thrives on revenues generated by local businesses. As a company grows, we understand they need more than gratitude.” Ramos continues, “Our goal is to identify a company’s needs and concerns and foster expansion opportunities by tapping into potential local resources which could increase the company’s competitiveness and improve our community’s quality of life.”

Since the BRE Program was initiated to establish a working relationship with existing businesses in the McAllen MSA, 85% of new jobs in the region have come from existing businesses. Due to this success, the MEDC implemented a similar BRE program in Reynosa in August of 2007.

Ralph Garcia, Vice President of Business Recruitment for the McAllen Economic Development Corporation commented, “Because of the great success that we have seen with the BRE program in the McAllen MSA, we see the value of having a similar program in Reynosa. With more than two hundred plants to consider, we see great opportunities that can leverage new growth for our region.” Garcia continues, “As an economic development organization we have the responsibility to attract new investment and also take the initiative to invest in our existing business by providing them with the necessary solutions and support needed to help them grow.”

The McAllen Economic Development Corporation is a not-for profit organization under contract with the City of McAllen to create jobs and generate revenues for the citizens of McAllen by attracting new industry and helping existing companies to expand.
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