Rio Grande Valley Business Journal

Part 3: Mexican bioenergy facility near Brownsville sits idle despite $15 million investment, deepening Tamaulipas’ sorghum crisis

By Anayancy Ulloa • November 30, 2025 • 7 min read

A nearly finished ethanol plant in Valle Hermoso, Mexico — just across the border from Brownsville — was built to buy sorghum from Tamaulipas farmers and produce cleaner fuel for both Mexico and the U.S., but a rule in Mexico leaves the plant with no way to sell what it makes.

Latest News

Energy

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Tamaulipas invests $8B in energy projects to support cross-border industry and nearshoring growth

November 24, 2025 • 4 min read

The Mexican state already ranks among the country’s top wind-energy producers, and new transmission projects aim to unlock even greater capacity for manufacturers along the U.S.–Me

Agriculture

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Mexico producers lift highway blockades along key trade routes near the Valley after federal agreement

November 28, 2025 • 4 min read

Truckers and farmers ended nationwide protests after federal agencies agreed to review overdue payments and open new policy talks, but transport groups warn highway insecurity cont

Retail

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Hundreds of Black Friday shoppers at the Mercedes outlet mall, as most Valley cities see higher sales tax revenue

November 28, 2025 • 3 min read

Hundreds of shoppers filled the Mercedes outlet mall on Black Friday as cities across the Rio Grande Valley reported higher sales and use tax revenue heading into the holiday seaso

Economic Trends

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Part 2 of 3: A fourth-generation farmer in Tamaulipas, Mexico, braces for a future he fears may not come

November 27, 2025 • 6 min read

As protests spread across northern Mexico, Rogelio García Moreno says his 41 years in agriculture have never been harder — a crisis he saw escalating long before the latest blockad

Commercial Real Estate

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U.K. business plans massive data center in Harlingen, records show

November 25, 2025 • 2 min read

Eneus Energy is under contract to purchase 1,780 acres from a Raymondville-based farmer, Cameron County records show.

Technology

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Social Fest 2025 brings top creators, influencers to Mission for the Valley’s first major digital marketing conference

November 11, 2025 • 3 min read

Social Fest brings together internationally known speakers from diverse backgrounds and more than 400 confirmed attendees.

Real Estate

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Edinburg reports 32% jump in construction activity through October

November 23, 2025 • 1 min read

Residential activity continues to climb, with multi-family construction more than doubling year-over-year, city officials said.

Tourism

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Here’s how much more traffic could be driving in the Rio Grande Valley this Thanksgiving

November 25, 2025 • 2 min read

The three busiest travel days around Thanksgiving brought more than 44,000 drivers down U.S. 281 into Hidalgo County last year.

Immigration

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Rio Grande Valley lawmaker to propose new immigrant worker visa program for small businesses

November 24, 2025 • 4 min read

U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez drafted legislation that would enable small businesses to sponsor long-time employees without legal work authorization in a new program.

Residential Real Estate

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Home sales rebound slightly in October in McAllen, Brownsville metros

November 20, 2025 • 3 min read

In October, the McAllen–Edinburg–Mission metro had 9.5 months of inventory with more than 3,250 homes for sale, while Brownsville–Harlingen had 7.6 months and 1,700 listings.

Demographics

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Women powering economic development in South Texas, northern Mexico meet in McAllen to chart regional growth

November 23, 2025 • 3 min read

Speakers, including Texas Economic Development Corporation’s Valerie Segovia, highlighted women’s growing influence in investment, nearshoring, and economic strategy.

Education

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Human connection takes center stage at South Texas College AI summit

November 23, 2025 • 4 min read

Industry leaders said rapid adoption is inevitable but emphasized that human judgment, ethics, and connection remain central as the Valley prepares its workforce for sweeping techn

Industrial Real Estate

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SpaceX plans to add thousands of jobs by 2030 and seeks $7.5 million in economic incentives

November 19, 2025 • 4 min read

Starbase city officials approved two state incentive applications tied to major manufacturing and launch-site expansions in Cameron County.

Finance

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Binational bank launches $400M fund for border water projects as Rio Grande Valley faces worsening drought

November 7, 2025 • 3 min read

NADBank has approved a total of $400 million for new border water initiatives, including $100 million in grant-style financing and $300 million in low-interest loans.