Rio Grande Valley Business Journal

Why Tamaulipas’ industry keeps growing despite trade headwinds

By Anayancy Ulloa • January 13, 2026 • 5 min read

Economic Trends International trade Mexico

Headlines point to risk, but conditions on the ground suggest something else is unfolding in northern Tamaulipas, Mexico.

Latest News

Mexico

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Valley business leaders to convene for the RGV Business Journal’s inaugural economic outlook

January 13, 2026 • 2 min read

Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Vice President and economist Pia Orrenius will keynote the Feb. 13 luncheon.

International trade

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Fewer crossings, higher value: How Mexico’s trade adapted after U.S. tariffs

January 4, 2026 • 6 min read

Stricter customs rules reshaped border operations in 2025, pushing companies toward larger, more complex transactions as oversight increased.

Economic Trends

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RGV job growth stays ahead of Texas and U.S., new data show

January 11, 2026 • 2 min read

See where the Valley is adding jobs, according to data released Friday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

U.S.

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Mission City Council approves ordinance limiting new car wash businesses

January 13, 2026 • 2 min read

The unanimous vote establishes a one-mile spacing requirement for new car washes as city officials cite drought conditions and water conservation concerns.

Real Estate

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Musk, missiles, and the Rio Grande Valley: Defense dollars draw renewed attention to the region

January 11, 2026 • 2 min read

Two top Trump administration officials have visited the Valley in less than a week, underscoring its rising national relevance.

Commercial Real Estate

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Brownsville weighs a new midtown entertainment district — here’s what you need to know

January 9, 2026 • 4 min read

City leaders are pitching an entertainment district pilot, which would hold bar operators and property owners accountable for any issues.

Water

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Proposed Harlingen data center draws opposition over water and power use

January 10, 2026 • 3 min read

What’s known so far about the site, the wastewater agreement, and what still must happen before any deal is approved.

Technology

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Hegseth pushes for faster military tech and more AI during SpaceX visit

January 12, 2026 • 4 min read

Hegseth told contractors, including SpaceX, that the military can’t keep waiting decades for perfect weapons and technology.

Industrial Real Estate

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New $8 million cold-storage facility coming to McAllen

December 22, 2025 • 1 min read

The Mega Produce project is expected to add 45,496 square feet of warehouse and office space in a key corridor serving cross-border produce traffic.

Healthcare

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Higher health insurance premiums and expiring ACA subsidies are squeezing the Rio Grande Valley’s middle class

December 30, 2025 • 5 min read

About one in five residents in the Valley had an Affordable Care Act health insurance plan in 2025, but that’s likely to decline in 2026.

Energy

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A $249 million solar project in Hidalgo County is in limbo — here’s why

December 14, 2025 • 3 min read

The project was expected to generate enough electricity to power about 40,000 homes annually and support hundreds of construction jobs.

Infrastructure

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Hundreds of Rio Grande Valley companies lost state certification as Hispanic-owned. Here’s why

December 29, 2025 • 4 min read

Texas is backing away from efforts to level the playing field for contracting with minority-owned businesses, affecting hundreds of companies in the Rio Grande Valley.

Retail

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Development at former McAllen Civic Center site begins to take shape; see plans

January 6, 2026 • 3 min read

The McAllen Civic Center was demolished about a decade ago to make way for a new upscale shopping center and hotel.

Residential Real Estate

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As banks tighten construction lending, some Rio Grande Valley homebuilders are eyeing alternative financing

January 8, 2026 • 4 min read

Despite higher borrowing costs, some Valley homebuilders are turning to private, non-bank financing options to keep projects moving.

Agriculture

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Homeland Security chief hears farmers’ concerns, dismisses economic fallout of ICE raids

January 7, 2026 • 4 min read

Kristi Noem emphasized border security during a Valley visit while dismissing concerns from industry leaders about labor shortages linked to ICE raids.

Immigration

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Reynosa holiday celebration draws a surge of cross-border visitors to historic downtown

December 6, 2025 • 3 min read

City officials say upgraded plazas, cultural programming, and federal traveler assistance are helping boost seasonal commerce.

Tourism

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RGV bars rang up $193M in alcohol sales in 2025; one McAllen bar stood above the rest

December 31, 2025 • 2 min read

As revelers prepare to ring in the New Year, here’s a list of the most popular bars across the Rio Grande Valley.

Education

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Rio Grande Valley trade schools flagged for graduates earning less than those with a high school diploma

December 15, 2025 • 2 min read

Federal data will now trigger FAFSA warnings for prospective students, raising new questions about tuition costs, debt, and return on investment.

Uncategorized

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Ramiro Garza: RGV State of the Region — trade, education, SpaceX — How the Rio Grande Valley transformed its future

December 14, 2025 • 4 min read

The Rio Grande Valley has quietly become one of the most strategically important regions in North America. From logistics and trade to medicine, higher education, and space innovat

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.

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.