City of Eagle Pass Business & Economic Development Committee Hosts First Quarterly Meeting
By: Miguel Munoz, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2017
The City of Eagle Pass, Texas Business and Economic Development Committee hosted its first quarterly meeting on Monday, August 14, 2017 at the City’s International Center for Trade, announced Arturo B. Rodriguez, Eagle Pass City Manager.
BEDC Chairman Morris Libson welcomed the committee members and presented an update of the committee work.
BEDC’s Subcommittee Chairpersons presented their reports to the overall BEDC and guests.
Labor and Workforce Training Subcommittee Chairperson Terri Contreras announced a Community Job Fair will be held on September 28, 2017 at the City’s International Center for Trade that will have over 75 companies, businesses, and governmental entities seeking new employees. The Job Fair will be opened to the public. Contreras added they seek to re-initiate the Eagle Pass Leadership Program in the near future. Texas Workforce Commission Commissioner Julian Alvarez is scheduled to attend the next BEDC Quarterly Meeting on October 20, 2017.
Government Relations Subcommittee Chairperson Cecilia Mascorro reported meeting with U. S. House of Representative Will Hurd during last week visit to Eagle Pass and obtaining Hurd’s commitment to a private meeting with the Subcommittee in the near future.
Business and Industry Subcommittee Chairperson Hector Cerna presented the leading issues affecting Eagle Pass in obtaining greater investment in business and economic development projects.
Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee Chairperson Chris Hiller discussed the necessary transportation projects needed to expand transportation mediums in Eagle Pass such as the expansion of U. S. Highway 57 into four lanes from Eagle Pass to IH-35 near Moore, Texas (98 Miles).
Marketing Subcommittee Chairperson Ricardo E. Calderon reported the history of Eagle Pass since the 1700s until today reflects it has always been a major transportation and international port of entry between the United States and Mexico. The Subcommittee did a survey of major transportation websites and discovered Eagle Pass is not listed as an international port of entry into Mexico and as a major transportation hub for the North American Free Trade Agreement between Canada, United States, and Mexico and the need to revise these salient websites to reflect Eagle Pass’ key transportation and international business role. Calderon noted that Eagle Pass needs U. S. Highway 57 to be widened into four lanes to increase its international transportation business, adding many jobs within the community. The Marketing Subcommittee also noted that the United States government is not providing the necessary Customs and Border Protection personnel necessary to handle the growing traffic of international crossings at the two City of Eagle Pass International Bridges, hindering Eagle Pass’ international trade potential. Finally, the Marketing Subcommittee will be working with all BEDC Subcommittees to enhance Eagle Pass’ marketing efforts as a premier community to do business in and invest in today and in the future, citing Eagle Pass’ future is very bright.
The Amenities, Visitors and Tourism Subcommittee Chairman Jaime Rodriguez reported the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino is a major draw of tourism and business to the community and the Subcommittee will work with the Casino on how to increase tourism and business in Eagle Pass. Rodriguez noted the rich history of Eagle Pass and its former Fort Duncan military facilities. The Subcommittee will also work with the Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce on increasing tourism to Eagle Pass.
The Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee Chairman Nikolas Libson reported Eagle Pass’ future is very positive in the energy and natural resources industry with the opening of the Eagle Ford Shale oil and gas development in Mexico within the next five to ten years, as well as the existing open surface coal mine in Eagle Pass and the potential for solar and wind energy development within the area. BEDC Chairman Morris Libson noted that the goal should be to promote Eagle Pass as the gateway for the international oil and gas business that is forecasted in the immediate future. Subcommittee member Judith Canales noted that Eagle Pass should pursue solar and wind energy projects that also benefit agriculture as there are federal government grants available for these kind of projects.
The Cross-Border Relations Subcommittee Chairman Ricardo Gonzalez announced that he had just been appointed and looked forward to working with everyone.
The Executive Leadership Mentoring Subcommittee Chairperson Pat Saucedo was just appointed recently and is excited to work with all the Subcommittees.
Eagle Pass City Manager Arturo B. Rodriguez concluded the quarterly meeting by stating that in the immediate future there will be some announcements of new investments and businesses coming to Eagle Pass. Rodriguez noted that since he was appointed City Manager in February 2017 his focus has been on attracting new economic development, increase the quality of life, and improve the City of Eagle Pass.
