Co-authored by Leonie Zapata, Economic Recovery Corps Fellow and Adriana Pulecio, International Business & Trade Development Manager, City of El Paso, Texas<\/p>\n
El Paso\u2019s economic ecosystem sits at a distinct crossroads where international affairs, innovation and cross-border collaboration meet. Anchored by its connection with neighboring Ju\u00e1rez, Mexico, the region is evolving into a binational corridor, leveraging shared geography and assets to redefine what cross-border economic growth can look like.<\/p>\n
National League of Cities\u2019 Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (EED) team spent several days in El Paso to get firsthand experience of the economic landscape and learn how the city is working with partners on both sides of the border to attract investment and strengthen its advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense sectors. Through its role as a host organization in the EDA-funded Economic Recovery Corps (ERC)<\/a>, which places mid-career economic development Fellows in 65 host communities nationwide, El Paso is one of the communities NLC supports as they expand local capacity.<\/p>\n Spearheaded by El Paso\u2019s Economic and International Development Department<\/a>, in partnership with the Strategic and Legislative Affairs department, the city is advancing a robust International Policy Agenda (PDF)<\/a> designed to strengthen its role as a binational region. The host project team \u2014 led by Adriana Pulecio, International Business and Trade Development Manager; Israel Alvarado, Senior Economic Development Analyst; and Omar Martinez, Assistant Director for Strategic and Legislative Affairs \u2014 welcomed Economic Recovery Corps Fellow Leonie Zapata to elevate strategies that support the city\u2019s international priorities.<\/p>\n Inside El Paso\u2019s Push for Binational Progress<\/p>\n At the outset of the visit, the host team emphasized that understanding the regional impact of collaboration between Ju\u00e1rez and El Paso begins at one of its most critical connectors: the Ysleta\u2013Zaragoza Bridge<\/a>. The port of entry functions as a coordinated system, with a streamlined traffic pattern and two dedicated lanes that enhance both efficiency and security. The E-Fast Pass system further facilitates the flow of commercial and passenger vehicles, which is essential considering roughly 60 percent of crossings are commercial. As a key element of the city\u2019s International Policy Agenda, the Ysleta International Port of Entry links Ju\u00e1rez\u2019s manufacturing plants to U.S. distribution centers and consumer markets. In 2024 alone, more than $145 billion in U.S.\u2013Mexico trade passed through El Paso, with $84 billion crossing the Ysleta\u2013Zaragoza.<\/p>\n Building on that foundation, the host team provided a direct look at how this strategy translates into policy by briefing the El Paso City Council on the status of the International Policy Agenda. During the meeting, the team outlined a pending MOU that would expand trade and investment opportunities through collaboration with the Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce, Services, and Tourism of the United Mexican States (CONCANACO SERVYTUR M\u00e9xico). This presentation set the stage for a deeper exploration of the ecosystem that drives the city\u2019s international trade initiatives and its broader binational economic strategy.<\/p>\n For cities interested in exploring El Paso\u2019s approach to binational collaboration, Building a Municipal Government International Governance Framework \u2013 the El Paso Model Case Study (PDF)<\/a>, offers a detailed look at how the city has structured and sustained these cross-border partnerships.<\/p>\n Innovation Opens Doors<\/p>\n The EED team also attended a meeting of the International Affairs Committee, which Pulecio leads. The committee highlighted several developments, including progress on the West Texas Aerospace and Defense Manufacturing Coalition\u2019s implementation of its $40 million Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) grant. The funding is strengthening the region\u2019s aerospace and defense manufacturing base and helping local small and medium-sized manufacturers connect to national supply chains. <\/p>\n Through this award, the city received $25 million to establish the state-of-the-art Advanced Manufacturing District<\/a> at the El Paso International Airport, a dedicated space where entrepreneurs, startups and manufacturers can access airport-based technologies that meet the U.S. Department of Defense security requirements. The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and the City of El Paso are also co-managing an additional $15 million from BBBRC to support programming, supplier readiness and technical assistance to help local companies compete for advanced-industry contracts.<\/p>\n The visit also included a closer look at how these investments take shape on the ground. At the airport, the team toured the Innovation Factory<\/a>, a collaborative initiative led by the city of El Paso, the El Paso International Airport and UTEP. Designed to stimulate economic growth and job creation, the Innovation Factory supports early-stage manufacturing technology businesses in aerospace, defense and advanced manufacturing. Initially a 30,000-square-foot facility funded through $3 million in federal grants, the program has since expanded due to strong demand, offering businesses space, incentives and business development support. <\/p>\n During the tour, the EED team met with several of the Innovation Factory\u2019s pioneering companies, including:<\/p>\n Ferveret<\/a>, which develops nuclear power-inspired liquid cooling technology for crypto mining farms, data centers and AI infrastructures.<\/p>\n Infinite Elements<\/a>, an alternative metal refining company that lowers the cost of metal reclamation.<\/p>\n AconityUS Inc.<\/a>, a leading provider of advanced metal 3D printing and design engineering services for advanced manufacturing.<\/p>\n El Paso\u2019s Next Chapter<\/p>\n