Rio Grande City hosted the 6th Meeting of Mayors and Industry Leaders of the Northeast Region of Nuevo Leon and the Border Region of Tamaulipas and South Texas on Friday, September 28, 2018 at South Texas College Starr Campus in Rio Grande City.
The Ruta 54 Initiative is a coalition of government and business representatives from Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas, Mexico and the United States that aims to increase and promote commercial and tourism traffic of the route in Mexico through to the United States by way of Starr County.
“Let us continue working together, forging lasting partnerships and collaboration that are mutually beneficial. Flags of two great nations, flying together and standing united under one goal, one direction and for the greater good of our communities,” said Mayor Joel Villarreal in his remarks.
Industry experts from various organizations showcased accomplishments implemented from previous discussions and gave in-depth analysis of opportunities in trade and tourism.
With the proximity of Rio Grande City to the route and the newly finished FM 755 re-alignment, city officials are looking to promote the city as the focal point of the region.
An advantage Rio Grande City offers is the Unified Cargo Processing implemented last October at the port of entry. The first on its kind in the Rio Grande Valley, the partnership between Customs and Border Protection and Mexican custom officers to jointly inspect cargo thus reducing wait times and ensuring efficient transporting of safe and secure commerce.
On hand to give a testimonial of the success of the Ruta 54 initiative was Mr. Gerardo Delgado Rubio, M.V.Z., owner of DCM Nutrition & Pharma.
“For over a year, we have been transporting our products utilizing the route,” said Mr. Delgado Rubio. “We encourage others to invest with confidence in Starr County and the United States and use the route with peace of mind.”
The next meeting is set to take place in Camargo, Tamaulipas, Mexico.