Laredo Economic Development Corporation is an organization defined by its visionary leadership, recognized for its integrity and contributions towards the economic development and vitality of Los Dos Laredos and the Webb County region.

New Laredo City Manager Joe Neeb recently visited the LEDC offices and met with the staff in our board conference room. LEDC staff and City Manager Joe Neeb shared individual backgrounds, we then reviewed our mission and marketing materials, our website content, our community profile, economic indicators, and important events for the rest of the year. 

After a tour of the facility, Mr. Neeb and Mr. Lindgren met privately to reaffirm our collaborative partnership, review our board of directors line-up, review our membership, provide an overview of the many development projects that are adding significant industrial space, and build on the successes and positive impacts that our partnership has achieved over the last several decades in the Laredo region.  

We are very excited to work with Mr. Neeb as it is apparent that he is bringing economic development and public service emphasis to the city. 

Texas A&M International University’s (TAMIU) student-led LULAC chapter hosted an international speaking event highlighting various areas of interest in business, commerce, education, and sports.

Speaking on Port Colombia was Dr. Marco Antonio González - Secretario de Desarrollo Regional y Agropecuario del Estado de Nuevo León – Director de Corporación para el Desarollo de la Zona Fronteriza de Nuevo León (CODEFRONT).

Representing the private sector was Lic. Mario Palos Garza, CEO of the Palos Garza Group, followed by Malena Charur, an adjunct faculty member at TAMIU, who focused her remarks on education during her presentation.

Lastly, Ulises Campos, or “El Ozo,” a local radio host and Telemundo En Tu Casa co-host, offered remarks on the sports and entertainment industry.

Attending the evening reception "Noche Mexicana" was Laredo EDC President and CEO.

Apr. 12th- Our guest speaker for today’s Business Conversation meeting was Mrs. Yvette Limon, International Bridge System Director of the City of Laredo.

Mrs. Limon shared trade and traffic statistics on Laredo’s four bridges and information about investment projects at the World Trade Bridge during her presentation to our membership and community partners. These investment projects included:

Inspection Station Expansion, Refrigerated Inspection Facilities,

Hazardous Materials Bridge Span Retrofit Project, Hazardous Material Offsite Containment Facility, World Trade Bridge FAST Lane Relocation Project, Weigh-in-Motion Scales & Curve Paving in Existing Exit Lanes, Progress on World Trade Bridge Expansion Project, and updated timeline to December 2027 for full completion.

The Membership Spotlight prior to the Business Conversation presentation was Ms. Julie Bazan, Executive Director of the Area Health Education Center of the Mid Rio Grande Border Area of Texas, Inc., a proud member of the Laredo EDC.

Click the link below to view the Membership Spotlight presentation.

View the video presentation here

The Binational Dialogue Region Laredos 2023 "Looking to the Future: Binational Challenges and Opportunities" was held on April 12th and was hosted by the Consulate General of Mexico in Laredo and the Consulate General of the United States in Nuevo Laredo.

Among the attendees were the City Mayor Victor Treviño, Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina, authorities from the Government of Nuevo Laredo, Customs, Laredo EDC, Chamber of Commerce, Universities, transportation and supply logistics businessmen from the U.S. and Mexico to review the binational prosperity agenda.

April 19th- Laredo's pizza world champion Janet Zapata shared a slice of knowledge with the community at the "Women Entrepreneurs Rock" series at MileOne.

During the event, Ms. Zapata shared the story of the founding of 550 Pizzeria, her path to the pizza world championship, and more.

Attendees at the event had a chance to network with fellow business professionals and also tasted some of Zapata's tasty pizza creations.

The event came after Zapata's victory at the 39th annual International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas, where she was named one of seven 2023 World Champions.

On April 20th, International Bank of Commerce hosted the Border Trade Advisory Committee (BTAC), and a reception for Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson the evening before.

Laredo EDC President and CEO Gene Lingren participated in a panel titled “Regional Infrastructure Planning Efforts” with esteemed representatives from several border communities where he presented information about the many advantages in the Laredo region, the significant private sector investments in industrial development, the growth projections for the next 30+ years, and the need for increased investment in public infrastructure.  

Among the attendees were the City of Laredo Mayor, Webb County Judge, the Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas, Maverick County Judge Ramsey Cantu, City of Del Rio Mayor Al Arreola, and TxDOT District Engineer Epi Gonzalez.” Mr. Lindgren stated.  

On April 24th, Congressman Henry Cuellar announced $2,4000,000 for the Laredo Health Department to enhance surveillance of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnoses in our community.

Laredo Health will become a part of the CDC Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network to collect data of incidence in our community and therefore make better-informed decisions on services needed.

The number of people with an autism diagnosis has risen rapidly over the last 30 years. Today, approximately 1 in every 36 children is diagnosed with autism. This grant will support 5 full-time positions that will work with key stakeholder organizations to collect data for 4-, 8-, and 16-year-old children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

I want to thank Mayor Dr. Victor Treviño, Dr. Chamberlain, Mayor Pro Tempore Vanessa Perez, and the rest of the City of Laredo Health Department for their commitment to the fight against autism. As a Co-Chair of the Congressional Autism Caucus and a House Appropriations Committee member, Congressman Cuellar remains committed to increasing funding for autism research and programs that serve those with diagnosed autism.

Laredo EDC President and CEO Gene Lindgen was honored to speak at the podium as a member of the Autism Coalition and as a parent of a child with autism and thanked Congressman Cuellar for his great support and that of the City Government for their leadership to improve the lives of our citizens that have extra challenges in life.