By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
The Eagle Pass-Maverick County Economic Development Alliance (EPMCEDA) held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, at the City of Eagle Pass International Center for Trade in Eagle Pass, Texas, hearing Committee progress reports and a keynote presentation by Dale Fowler, Economic and Business Development Manager of AEP Texas, announced Judith A. Canales, Executive Director.
The mission of the EPMCEDA is “to strengthen economic conditions in Maverick County creating a united alliance for economic and workforce development by harnessing the resources and talents of the public and private sector.”
EPMCEDA Vice-Chairman Oscar “OJ” De Los Santos, Jr. stated the Alliance is “developing a pro-business community environment that includes local and out of town businesses.” De Los Santos added that the Alliance is “shifting from a participation model to a collaboration model” that includes local and outside public and private partnerships.
EPMCEDA Secretary Catrina Purcell Longoria presented the Fast Track Permit Process Committee Report to members, citing the development of a City and County unified construction specifications manual, subdivision regulations, and a one-stop business permitting center.
Jorge Barrera, General Manager of the Eagle Pass Water Works System, presented the Cross-Border Relations Committee and noted the recent tour of the Maverick Arms, Inc. manufacturing facility in Eagle Pass on July 13, 2022 and the Transportation Meeting between the State of Coahuila and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) in Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico in July 2022.
Longoria also presented the Downtown Revitalization Committee report, citing the Downtown Master Plan done by the City of Eagle Pass, the development of a Business Incubator at the historic Riskind’s Building on Main Street, and the future development of a hotel in the downtown area.
Barrera also presented the Higher Education Committee report, noting the pursuit of a four year university campus in Eagle Pass affiliated with the Texas State University System.
Barrera also discussed the Transportation and Mobility Committee report, mentioning the goal of completing Loop 480 construction by TxDOT and the ongoing U. S. Highway 57 Corridor Interstate Feasibility Study being conducted by TxDOT. The goal is to expand and improve Highway 57 from Eagle Pass to Interstate 35 as a major interstate highway corridor.
De Los Santos and Noe Rodriguez, Vice-President of Falcon Bank, presented the Retail/Business/Development Committee Report, citing the importance of retaining local businesses and attracting new businesses, access to capital for business development and expansion projects, and maintaining a united business front in the community.
De Los Santos also presented the Industrial Development Committee Report, citing the recent awarding of a Texas Workforce Commission grant to Southwest Texas Junior College campus in Eagle Pass to develop new workforce training programs and the new $13 million Home 2 Suites Hotel by Hilton investment of a new 115 room hotel at the intersection of U. S. Highway 277 and Bob Rogers Drive in Eagle Pass.
Dale Fowler, Economic and Business Development Manager for AEP Texas in Corpus Christi, Texas presented a keynote speech detailing the many programs available through AEP Texas for business development site selection, energy needs, site certifications in AEP service communities, and economic development training of local boards, chambers of commerce, publicly elected officials, and public and private partners. Fowler advised Alliance members that AEP Texas is ready, able, and willing to assist them in all of their business development and site selection of new economic development projects.
EPMCEDA Executive Director Judith A. Canales presented her Executive Director Report to members and guests and an overview of recent Eagle Pass and Maverick County economic and trade data.
A question and answer session was opened up after all the presentations, including progress reports from Maverick County Commissioners Roberto Ruiz of Precinct 4 and Olga Ramos of Precinct 3. Ruiz informed Alliance members that Maverick County has already conducted a feasibility study for a third international bridge in Maverick County dedicated to industrial and commercial traffic to be located north of Eagle Pass. Ramos discussed the certification of the Maverick County Memorial International Airport by the Texas Aviation Department and the Federal Aviation Administration, qualifying the airport for grant funding for new projects.
State Representative Eddie Morales, Jr. (Democrat-Eagle Pass District 74) discussed the TxDOT Highway 57 Interstate Corridor Feasibility Study and funding for Loop 480 completion by TxDOT, encouraging Alliance members to participate in the surveys of TxDOT on both projects.