Honorable Judge, members of the County Commission, good afternoon. I am Orlando Campos, CEO of the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation, also known as HEDC.
I am here today with the authorization and support of our board of directors. HEDC is a Type A economic development organization governed by a seven member board of directors that is appointed by the mayor and the city commission of Harlingen. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for our residents by fostering meaningful, high-paying employment opportunities and expanding the local tax base.
Like you, we recognize the importance of serving as responsible stewards of public funds, and we do not take the use of incentives lightly. However, there are times when incentives are a critical tool for supporting economic development initiatives, attracting investment, and ensuring that our communities remain competitive in an increasingly dynamic marketplace.
I am here to do to express that HEDC sees strong support for the proposed tax abatement for Saronic Technologies. A project of this magnitude will have significant economic impact across our region by creating meaningful employment opportunities for our residents, generating new business opportunities for local suppliers and service providers, and strength strengthening the tax base for our communities.
The proposed tax abatement represents a strategic investment that will generate a substantial return to the county. More importantly, it will help catalyze long-term economic growth and prosperity that will benefit our region for generations to come. Thank you for your consideration.
Editor’s Note: The above remarks were made by Orlando Campos, CEO of Harlingen Economic Development Corporation, at a public hearing held by Cameron County Commissioners Court on June 2, 2026. The hearing was held to consider giving Saronic Technologies a tax abatement on a $3.2 billion shipyard and manufacturing hub project at the Port of Brownsville. No decision was taken by the commissioners.
