NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

America's Newest International Crossing to Mexico Coming 2009

MISSION, Texas , April 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite a struggling U.S. economy, there is still a critical infrastructure investment in the Rio Grande Valley city of Mission, Texas. Officials have announced the completion date for the Anzalduas International Crossing, America's newest border crossing into Mexico . This will signal big growth for Mission and surrounding South Texas areas.

Since 1994 NAFTA has helped open international trade possibilities withMexico andCanada. Only minutes from the U.S.-Mexico border,Mission is in a position to capitalize on this market globalization.

There currently are two international crossings in theMission area, theHidalgo-Reynosa andPharr-Reynosa international bridges. However, Anzalduas International Crossing will be the newest and one of the largest international crossings in the country.

Further, it will directly connectMission toReynosa, Taumalipas (a primary hub for maquiladoras and industrial activity in Mexico), and undoubtedly increase traffic flow in the area and strengthen economic ties.

Burst of Infrastructure Investment

The United States andMexico partnered to build the Anzalduas International Crossing, a $168 million investment.

"This is a very unique international area. Communities on both sides of the border have been very cooperative in recent years in helping to make the area economy strong and secure," said Pat Townsend Jr., CEO of the Mission Economic Development Authority.

With construction of the future NAFTA highway, which will eventually connectMexico andCanada,Mission will see an increase in traffic, population and industrial development.

Nearby Mexican Towns Are Industrial Giants

Eight international bridges connectSouth Texas with the industrial border communities ofReynosa,Matamoros andMonterrey, Mexico. Together, regional population totals more than 3 million with theMission/McAllen area being their nearest U.S. retail market.

Reynosa is one of the most important cities inMexico when it comes to importing and exporting goods and vehicle traffic. This has madeMission and otherSouth Texas border regions an important international gateway tothe United States.

Solid Sales Tax Receipts

Mexico plays a critical role in Mission's economy, bringing in a tremendous amount of sales tax revenue. Mexican nationals are reported to spend three times more than the average American shopper.

"Businesses interested in the area simply need to see the enormous growth potential that the Anzalduas Bridge brings to the area," said Pat Townsend Jr., Mission Economic Development Authority CEO.

    Daniel Silva
    Mission Economic Development Authority
    1-800-707-1155
    www.missioneda.org

SOURCE Mission Economic Development Authority