Mission: 

Incorporated on November 17, 1966, the mission of the Laredo Economic Development Corporation is to promote and foster the economic and industrial development of the Laredo region.

Vision:

The Laredo Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) 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.

On January 4^th, Congressman Henry Cuellar and Senator Ted Cruz joined by the City of Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor Treviño, the Governor of Tamaulipas, Dr. Americo Villarreal, Nuevo Laredo Mayor, Carmen Lilia Cantu Rosas, Dr. Marco Gonzalez Valdez, representing the Governor of Nuevo Leon, and representatives from the public and private sector held a press conference to announce the bipartisan bill to expedite border bridge construction signature that will expedite the process for presidential permit approvals badly needed for multiple bridge projects in Texas including the World Trade Bridge expansion initiative. 

The legislation was the result of extensive bi-partisan efforts by our elected officials and is wholeheartedly supported by local, regional, national, and international public and private sector stakeholders. Reshoring and nearshoring are adding investments and jobs to Texas and we applaud the efforts to continue to maintain our global trade leadership and competitiveness which supports free trade, and economic development, and contributes to our national defense as we continue to reduce our nation’s reliance on manufacturing from China.  

Several of the Board of Directors and the LEDC President & and CEO, regularly attend the monthly Breakfast with the Mayor hosted by the Laredo Chamber of Commerce. 

After Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino discusses current events and priorities, the event allows the private sector attendees to have an open dialogue from their perspectives. 

The event also allows community leaders to provide brief updates from their organizations. 

During the January event, the LEDC President and CEO was allowed to outline the major events that will be hosted by this organization this year, including the Economic Development Week on May 6-10, the Pathways for Trade Symposium on Sep.18-19, and the Economic Development Industry Awards (EDI) Boots 'n Bling Gala on November 1st.

LEDC President & CEO was invited to participate in a luncheon meeting hosted by IBC with special guest representatives from Green Corridors including CEO Mitch Carlson. 

The event was attended by local and state government officials, university and college representatives, business executives, developers, organizational leaders, and other supply chain stakeholders. Green Corridors, LLC (“GC”, formerly known as Freight Shuttle Xpress (“FSX”) is creating an Intelligent Freight Transportation System (“IFTS”). 

The IFTS transports cargo, emissions-free, independent from public traffic lanes, using autonomous freight shuttles that operate on guideways connected to a network of proprietary, state-of-the-art terminals strategically located throughout Texas and Mexico. By reducing freight traffic on public highways the benefits from the IFTS are clear; reduce traffic congestion and increase road safety, enhance security of cross-border freight movement, ensure predictable, reliable scheduling of imports and exports, increase the resiliency of the supply chain, and reduce harmful emissions. 

The proprietary system is in part a Texas innovation developed at Texas Transportation Institute (“TTI”) to solve pressing issues for a major transportation reliant State. Powered by clean energy, autonomous, and designed for maximum rolling efficiency, the system interacts with state-of-the-art terminals and introduces new software solutions for tracking and monitoring cargo.  

LEDC President & CEO Gene Lindgren visited the TAMIU Robotics and Logistics Labs led by Dr. Tariq Tashtoush, Associate Professor in the Systems Engineering Area. 

The LEDC scouts local, national, and international experts to participate and contribute to our annual Pathways for Trade Symposium. We have chosen the theme of Technology for our September 2024 event and we are off to a good start in our planning activities with this meeting with Dr. Tashtoush.  

Let's welcome our newest members!

Gene Lindgren, LEDC President & CEO, along with Cesar Hernandez, MileOne Director, and Zaira Lopez, MileOne Marketing Coordinator, attended an official visit from the British Ambassador to Mexico, Jon Benjamin, at the La Posada Zaragosa Ballroom. 

The dinner reception was attended by government and private sector stakeholders in the Laredo region. Program comments from guest speakers and the Honorable Jon Benjamin highlighted the close binational ties that the border communities exemplify with the Laredo region being a shining example. 

Other items discussed included an overview of the political dynamics in Washington D.C., Mexico City, and London and how those who choose rhetoric that diminishes the importance of trade and political alliances are generally un-informed and have never taken the opportunity to understand the border region.  

LEDC President & CEO, attended the City of Laredo State of the City 2024 held at the TAMIU Center for the Fine and Performing Arts. 

Government officials from the region, state, and binational counterparts, along with citizens, stakeholders, and local private-sector leaders attended the nearly 2 hour event complete with presentation slides, videos, verbal addresses, and awards for outstanding service and achievements. 

Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino presented the State of the City by recapping our financial health, and went on to outline programs & initiatives, and stressed the importance of continued focus and prioritization in the areas of trade, binational relations, public health & safety, recognition of service, growth, financial responsibility, quality-of-life, community involvement, and water quality including the continued efforts to obtain a secondary water source. 

Shown in the picture are LEDC President & CEO Gene Lindgren, TAMIU President Dr. Pablo Arenaz, Laredo City Council Member and Mayor Pro Tempore Ruben Gutierrez, Jr., and Gateway Community Health Center CEO Elmo Lopez, Jr.  

The LEDC was invited to attend the University of Texas Medical Branch Press Conference on their announcement of the expansion of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program. At the event, we were fortunate to capture a photo will the Laredo hospital leaders. 

Shown in the picture is Gateway Community Health Center CEO Elmo Lopez, Jr, LEDC President & CEO Gene Lindgren, Laredo Medical Center CEO Jorge Leal, and newly installed Doctors Hospital of Laredo CEO Andrew Wilson.  

Recently, the University of Texas Medical Branch announced the expansion of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program to the UT Education and Research Center at Laredo. 

The OC program is now the 10^th program on the growing list involving partnerships with 5 institutions in the UT Health System. 

The event included congratulatory, inspirational, and passionate words from Executive Director Dr. Adriana Nunemaker, UT Executive Vice Chancellor Dr. John Zerwas, UT Medical Branch President Dr. Jochen Reiser, Texas State Senator Dr. Judith Zaffirini, Texas House Member Richard Raymond, Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino, U.S. Congressman Dr. Henry Cuellar, Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina, and IBC Bank Executive Vice President Gerry Schwebel.  

The LEDC applauds and supports the continued expansion of healthcare programs, services, and facilities as we work to continue closing gaps in our medically underserved community.

Mario Maldonado, LEDC Vice President of International Recruitment, attended the Expo Congreso de Comercio Exterior y Aduanas in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas as a meeting point between supply and demand of products and services related to foreign trade, logistics, and customs to approach new and potential importers and exporters at the national market level. 

The theme of the event is "Guidelines in Customs Facilitation, Foreign Trade Security and Supply Chain". The conference's goal was to inform and assist the government, institutions, advisors, and businesses in the field of foreign trade, logistics, customs, and foreign investors. 

Mario Maldonado also made a presentation at the conference on the goals and mission of the Laredo Economic Development Corporation and the valuable support being provided in this region to attract expansion and additional industrial investment for this region to continue being the number one Port in the United States.

ICSC Red River is an annual regional tradeshow focused on commercial real estate in Texas. It supports innovators, dealmakers, and key stakeholders looking for new retail markets.

LEDC proudly exhibited in collaboration with the City of Laredo Economic Development Office in Dallas, Texas endorsing our Region while promoting and networking with key decision-makers.  

Representing Laredo EDC were Gene Lindgren, President and CEO, and Joseph Mendiola, VP for Business Attraction and Retention.

Laredo, Texas, Nuevo Laredo, and Nuevo Leon seek to promote innovation and advantages in both cities during their participation in the "Expo Manufactura 2024" held on January 30-February1, at CINTERMEX Convention Center in Monteyyer, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.

More than 7,300 exhibitors from international automotive companies presented the latest in tech solutions during the 3-day event.

Mario Maldonado, LEDC Vice President of International Business Recruitment along with Samuel Jimenez from Casa Laredo, Sarahi Cuellar, and Gregorio Elizondo from Gobierno de Nuevo Leon participated in the event representing Region.

MileOne, a division of the Laredo Economic Development Corporation, in conjunction with the Consulado General de México en Laredo, concluded the second Mexicana Emprende program and held a graduation ceremony for the cohort. The initiative aims to support Mexican women living in the U.S. by equipping them with the resources, guidance, and tools needed to start their businesses. Through the course of a four-month business curriculum, the women were able to refine their ideas and turn them into reality. MileOne organized several workshops with industry leaders, covering key business topics such as accounting, marketing, and entity formation. Upon completion of the program, these women created a viable business that has the potential to flourish within the Laredo community.

This year graduates presented their businesses to a panel of distinguished judges that included: Miriam Castillo, Director - City of Laredo Economic Development, Gene Lindgren, President and CEO - Laredo Economic Development Corporation, Monica Martinez, Executive Director - Laredo Chamber of Commerce and Marcus Holliman, CEO - Mission Trading Co. After deliberation, the judges selected three winners. A bookstore/coffee shop, bakery, and memorial product provider won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, respectively.