Orlando Campos<\/p>\n
HARLINGEN \u2014 State incentives could determine whether the city\u2019s Economic Development Corporation lands a manufacturer planning to open more than 600 good-paying jobs, an official said.<\/p>\n
Gov. Greg Abbott\u2019s office\u2019s Texas Enterprise Fund incentives could draw the major European manufacturer to Harlingen, which is competing with an out-of-state city for the company, Orlando Campos, the EDC\u2019s chief executive officer, said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey haven\u2019t given their full commitment yet,\u201d he said in an interview. \u201cThe decision will be contingent on the approval of state incentives.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the EDC, officials are considering offering the company local incentives based on the number of jobs the Swiss company would create, Campos said.<\/p>\n
Now, a Brownsville manufacturer is planning to move its operations to Harlingen, making a $2.1 million investment here.<\/p>\n
Two months ago, Campos announced ConsultingPoint, a Brownsville manufacturer, is relocating in Harlingen with a payroll of 80 employees while planning to open 67 new jobs within five years.<\/p>\n
As part of an agreement, the EDC\u2019s offering the company about $1,000 for its retention of each of its 80 jobs along with an average of $2,500 for every job it creates, Campos said.<\/p>\n
Before moving its operations here, the company manufacturing industrial motors, generators and components serving wind power, hydro and turbo generation, mining, locomotive and nuclear submarine propulsion systems is remodeling a building off East Harrison Avenue near the Harlingen Industrial Park, he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the EDC\u2019s working to draw 12 companies with a total projected investment of $5.9 billion, Campos told city commissioners during a meeting Monday.<\/p>\n
\u201c(They\u2019re) very keen on Harlingen,\u201d he said before the meeting. \u201cThey\u2019re evaluating sites, labor, labor supply and fine-tuning costs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re in communication with them every day or every other day.\u201d<\/p>\n
During the last year, the EDC\u2019s closed 10 projects with companies including Cavender\u2019s, Casa Kevin, Penn Aluminum and Carranza Development while creating and retaining 453 jobs, coming with a total capital investment of more than $15 million, with projected local sales tax revenue of $1.3 million, officials said.<\/p>\n
At EDC offices, officials are rolling out their work plan for the new fiscal year, developing \u201can aggressive business attraction and retention strategy,\u201d including conducting a new study aimed at targeting viable industries while working to increase Mexican investments, a document shows.<\/p>\n
Cars drive past the Jackson Street business district Friday, March 24, 2023, on Jackson Avenue in Harlingen. (Denise Cathey\/The Brownsville Herald)<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, officials are planning to work with major developers to increase retail and commercial business here.<\/p>\n
As part of the EDC\u2019s program, they\u2019re working on expanding and retaining businesses, offering grant programs such as Revitalize Harlingen, Boost Harlingen and Rise Up Harlingen Pitch Competition.<\/p>\n
Aiming to upgrade local industry\u2019s transportation routes, officials are working with Valley International Airport to develop services while planning to help the Port of Harlingen increase capacity.<\/p>\n
As part of the EDC\u2019s new program, officials are planning to develop a \u201chighly skilled local workforce,\u201d teaming up with Workforce Solutions Cameron along with Texas State Technical College, the Harlingen school district and universities.<\/p>\n
Officials are aiming to \u201cto identify pools of ready-to-work people and connect them with Harlingen businesses to fill job openings,\u201d a document states.<\/p>\n
Outside of town, officials are working with Cameron County and Mexican officials to boost traffic across the Free Trade International Bridge at Los Indios while backing the drive to develop an outer parkway to South Padre Island\u2019s proposed second causeway.<\/p>\n