Free Regional Platform · South Texas + Northern Mexico
Building the next great
American metro.
From Laredo to Brownsville and across Northern Mexico — one free platform to connect businesses, develop the workforce, and compete with the biggest cities in the country.
2.1M
Regional Population
$48B
Regional GDP
340+
Listed Companies
58
Active Projects
Live Regional Activity
Falcon Industrial Services
Laredo, TX · Construction
ReadyHUBZone
TAMIU Engineering Program
Education · 240 grads/yr
Education
Port of Brownsville LNG — Ph 3
$420M opportunity · Open
Energy
NorMex Manufacturing
Monterrey · Manufacturing
Ready
Workforce Gap: Welders
Region needs 340+ by Q3
Alert
Covering 12 counties · 3 metro areas · 2 countriesLive
The Opportunity
We have everything it takes. We just need the infrastructure.
The Laredo–Brownsville corridor is one of the fastest-growing, most strategically positioned regions in North America. It's time to operate like it.
$2.8T
Annual Cross-Border Trade
More trade crosses through this corridor than any other U.S. land border crossing.
38%
Younger Than 25
One of the youngest regional workforces in the nation — a massive long-term competitive advantage.
$180B
In Active Development
LNG, data centers, manufacturing, energy — billions in active projects seeking local execution capacity.
94%
Bilingual Workforce
Unique cultural and linguistic advantage for cross-border business operations unmatched elsewhere.
Regional Benchmarking
Where we stand vs. major metros
We're behind in some metrics — and that's the opportunity. With the right infrastructure, talent pipeline, and data, we close the gap fast.
Dallas–Fort Worth
GDP
$614B
Pop. Growth (5yr)
18.2%
Major tech, finance, and logistics hub. Mature business infrastructure, deep talent pool.
Los Angeles
GDP
$1.1T
Pop. Growth (5yr)
-1.4%
High cost of living driving out-migration. Opportunity to attract businesses and talent seeking lower costs.
🌵 Our Region
GDP (growing)
$48B
Pop. Growth (5yr)
+12.8%
Fastest growing trade corridor, youngest workforce, $180B in incoming projects. Massive upside. This is where we build.
New York City
GDP
$2.0T
Pop. Growth (5yr)
-3.1%
Financial capital. Declining population. Infrastructure constrained. Exporting talent and businesses to Sun Belt.
What RioData Does
Four pillars. One free platform.
Everything a growing metro needs — business intelligence, workforce data, education pathways, and project opportunities — built for our region.
RioData is a public resource for the region. Every company listing, every piece of economic data, every workforce insight, and every project opportunity is free to access. This is infrastructure, not a product.
Regional Intelligence
Economic Dashboard
South Texas + Northern Mexico Corridor · Updated monthly
Overview
Employment
Industry Sectors
Education
Investment
Cross-Border Trade
Regional GDP
$48.2B
↑ 7.4% vs last year
Total Employment
612K
↑ 3.1% YoY
New Businesses (YTD)
1,847
↑ 14.2% YoY
Active Projects ($)
$9.3B
↑ 31% YoY
Workforce Gap
4,200
↑ 8% unfilled roles
GDP Growth — Regional vs. National
Annual growth rate comparison, 2018–2024
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Our Region
National Avg.
Employment by Sector
Share of regional workforce
Construction
36% · 220K jobs
Energy/LNG
25% · 153K jobs
Manufacturing
19% · 116K jobs
Logistics
13% · 80K jobs
Other
7% · 43K jobs
Job Growth by County
12-month change
County
Jobs
Growth
Webb (Laredo)
142K
+6.2%
Hidalgo (McAllen)
238K
+4.8%
Cameron (Brownsville)
112K
+5.1%
Starr
18K
+9.4%
Zapata
7K
+2.1%
Wage Growth Trend
Median hourly, 2020–2024
Construction$28.40/hr
Energy/LNG$38.20/hr
Manufacturing$22.80/hr
Logistics$24.60/hr
Tech/IT$46.00/hr
Active Projects Pipeline
By total value
Energy/LNG
$4.2B
Construction
$2.8B
Data Centers
$1.4B
Industrial Mfg
$880M
Cross-Border Trade Intelligence
Top commodity flows — South Texas ports of entry
Commodity
Port
Monthly Volume
YoY Change
Top Employers
Risk
Auto Parts & Vehicles
Laredo
$8.4B
+12%
GM, Ford, BMW
Low
Petroleum Products
Brownsville
$2.1B
+31%
Cheniere, NextDecade
Medium
Electronics / Maquiladora
Laredo/McAllen
$1.8B
+8%
Samsung, LG, Foxconn
Low
Fresh Produce
Hidalgo
$680M
+4%
Multiple
Low
Steel & Metals
Laredo
$420M
-6%
Ternium, AHMSA
High
Human Capital
Workforce & Education Hub
Track skills gaps, connect employers to schools, map career pathways, and build the talent pipeline our region's projects demand.
Skills Gap Analysis
Schools & Programs
Career Pathways
Employer Connections
Critical Skill Gaps Now
14
Occupations with demand exceeding supply
Total Unfilled Positions
4,240
Region-wide as of this month
🔴 High-Demand Skills (Gaps)
Certified Welders780 needed · 340 short
Electricians (Licensed)540 needed · 220 short
CDL Truck Drivers1,200 needed · 480 short
IT / Cybersecurity320 needed · 290 short
Civil Engineers180 needed · 140 short
🟢 Available Workforce Strengths
Bilingual Customer ServiceSurplus — 2,400 available
General Labor / ConstructionStrong — 3,200 available
Customs & Trade ComplianceStrong — 680 available
Spanish/English InterpretersSurplus — 1,100 available
Agricultural WorkersStrong — 4,400 available
Schools & Training Programs
Regional institutions producing workforce talent — with real employment outcome data.
University
Texas A&M International
📍 Laredo, TX · 9,200 students
Engineering240 grads/yr → 94% hired
Business / International Trade380 grads/yr → 89% hired
Nursing / Health Sciences180 grads/yr → 98% hired
University
UT Rio Grande Valley
📍 Edinburg, TX · 32,000 students
Computer Science / IT420 grads/yr → 91% hired
Civil & Mech Engineering310 grads/yr → 96% hired
Supply Chain Management190 grads/yr → 87% hired
Community College
Laredo College
📍 Laredo, TX · 14,000 students
Welding Technology120 grads/yr → 97% hired
CDL / Transportation200 grads/yr → 99% hired
Electrical Technology90 grads/yr → 96% hired
Community College
South Texas College
📍 McAllen, TX · 33,000 students
Industrial Technology280 grads/yr → 93% hired
HVAC / Refrigeration110 grads/yr → 98% hired
Construction Management160 grads/yr → 91% hired
Trade School
Rio Grande Valley Trades Institute
📍 Brownsville, TX · 2,400 students
Pipefitting & Plumbing80 grads/yr → 100% hired
Industrial Maintenance60 grads/yr → 99% hired
Ironworking / Steel45 grads/yr → 100% hired
Certification Program
Border Workforce Accelerator
📍 Regional (multiple sites) · Online + in-person
Customs Broker License (CBP)6-week program · $58K avg salary
OSHA 30 / Safety Cert.4-day program · +$8K salary bump
SAM / HUBZone CertificationFree workshop · Unlocks gov contracts
High-Demand Career Pathways
Jobs the region needs most, with clear paths to get there.
🔧
Industrial Welder
6–12 month trade cert → immediate hire in LNG, construction, manufacturing
$38–58K/yr · 340 openings
⚡
Licensed Electrician
2-yr apprenticeship + license → data centers, industrial, commercial
$48–72K/yr · 220 openings
🚛
CDL Driver / Logistics
6-week CDL school → immediate employment, cross-border routes
$52–68K/yr · 480 openings
💻
IT / Cybersecurity
4-yr degree or bootcamp → data center ops, government, healthcare
340+ verified businesses across South Texas and Northern Mexico
Showing 18 of 340+ companies · 214 Ready to Work
= Ready to Work
F
Falcon Industrial Services
📍 Laredo, TX
Full-service industrial contractor specializing in welding, structural steel fabrication, and pipeline support.
HUBZoneSAMWeldingPipeline
B
Border Energy Solutions
📍 Matamoros, MX
LNG facility mechanical contracting, inspection services, and plant maintenance across the border region.
LNGMechanicalInspection
R
Rio Grande Logistics
📍 McAllen, TX
Cross-border freight brokerage, customs clearance, and last-mile distribution throughout South Texas.
SAMCustomsFreight
N
NorMex Manufacturing Co.
📍 Monterrey, NL
CNC machining, metal fabrication, and OEM component manufacturing. IMMEX certified maquiladora.
IMMEXCNCFabrication
V
Valley Civil Contractors
📍 Brownsville, TX
Site preparation, grading, drainage, and underground utilities. Active on multiple county projects.
HUBZoneSite PrepUtilities
S
Sendero Electric LLC
📍 Corpus Christi, TX
Commercial and industrial electrical contractor. Substation construction, switchgear, high-voltage work.
SAMElectricalHigh-Voltage
Project Pipeline
Project Opportunities
Active projects seeking qualified local businesses. Free to view and apply.
58
Active Projects
$9.3B
Total Value
214
Matched Companies
12
Closing This Month
All Projects
Energy / LNG
Construction
Data Centers
Government
Manufacturing
Ready to Apply
⚡ Energy / LNG
Port of Brownsville LNG Export Terminal — Phase 3 Civil Works
NextDecade seeking qualified civil, structural, and mechanical subcontractors for earthwork, concrete, and piping installation at the Rio Grande LNG facility. Approx. 22-month engagement, full-time on-site.
Starr County AI Data Campus — Electrical, HVAC & Mechanical
120MW hyperscale campus seeking licensed electrical and mechanical subcontractors. Strong preference for local South Texas businesses. Multiple phases available through 2027.
📍 Rio Grande City, TX💰 $280M total👥 150–250 workers📋 SAM required
Deadline
Apr 28
✓ 14 matching companies
🏛️ Government Contract
Webb County Road & Infrastructure Maintenance — 3-Year Contract
Annual RFQ for paving, signage, drainage, and road maintenance county-wide. HUBZone, SDVOSB, and woman-owned certifications eligible for set-asides. Recurring work, reliable schedule.
Monterrey Tier-1 Auto Supplier — Cross-Border Logistics Partner
Major Toyota/GM supplier seeking long-term logistics and customs brokerage partner for daily cross-border shipments between Monterrey plants and U.S. distribution. Multi-year contract, high volume.
Hidalgo County Medical District Expansion — General Construction
New outpatient care campus including three buildings, parking structure, and utilities. Seeking masonry, MEP, and site work subcontractors. Funded. Design complete. Breaking ground Q3.