Community Conversation on “Trade & Trust” Discussed the Future of Eagle Pass and International Trade
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Copyright 2026 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
An estimated 100 persons from Eagle Pass, Texas and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico attended and enjoyed a lively community discussion regarding “Trade & Trust’ and the future of Eagle Pass and international trade with an empasis on the controversial Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge Project on Monday, September 21, 2026, hosted by three national news organizations including Puente News Collaborative, the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) Public Editor, and the Pulitzer Center On Crisis Reporting.
The Eagle Pass Business Journal was the local host for the international community discussion on the future of Eagle Pass and the Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge Project.
Last year on July 22, 2025, Puente Collaborative and the Pulitzer Center sponsored an investigative news story about the controversial Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge Project and its impact on the United States-Mexico border community of Eagle Pass, Texas, titled “One Texan’s Push for a New Border Bridge Has Support from Key Politicians. Locals Warn It’s a Trap” in the Hearst Texas newspapers of the Houston Chronicle and the San Antonio Express-News.
Investigative journalists Jason Buch, Benjamin Wermund and Alfredo Corchado wrote the investigative news story and returned to Eagle Pass on September 21 to speak about how they researched and interviewed numerous people promoting and opposing the controversial Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge Project, consisting of two international bridges—one for commercial vehicles and another for railroad traffic. They also engaged the attendees in a fascinating community discussion concerning the potential impact of these two international bridges on the future of Eagle Pass.
PBS Public Editor Ricardo Sandoval was the moderator for the community discussion. Sandoval initially presented the process of a community discussion and its purpose, as well as established the ground rules. Sandoval also presented the current state of affairs of journalism on the U.S.-Mexico border and the importance of the free press to inform and educate the public on relevant issues within an underserved border community, as well as how international economic development may potentially impact the future of Eagle Pass.
The featured speakers at the community discussion included Alfredo Corchado of Puente News Collaborative, Eileen Hernandez of the Eagle Pass Business Journal, investigative journalist Jason Buch, and Ben Wermund of the Houston Chronicle, Ricardo E. Calderon of the Eagle Pass Business Journal, Beyer Junfin of Empire Industrial Park, Jesus Ramirez of Port EPN, Alfredo Sanchez and Graciela Maldonado of the Border Organization.
After the presentations by the featured speakers, the floor was opened to the community discussion among the audience whom had important and intelligent questions and opinions on the subject matter. The community discussion evolved into a lively and heated debate on the lack of formal legacy media on the border and the potential impact of the Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge Project on the future of Eagle Pass and economic development on the border. According to participants, the audience thoroughly enjoyed the community discussion format and topics, requesting future similar discussions.
Following the community discussion, the audience had the opportunity to meet and greet the featured speakers in an informal reception setting and continue the energetic discussions of that evening. Participants stated they would like to have and attend more similar discussions in Eagle Pass. The event was a resounding success for all who attended it.
