I spent the past week with COSTEP (Council for South Texas Econopmic Progress) and presented to regional stakeholders on how capital and operating companies actually assess locations for investment.
What the visit reinforced for me is the central thesis of my article, Location Strategy & Site Selection for the New U.S. Industrial Economy: capital does not move because of slogans or enthusiasm alone. It moves when the determinants are in place and the drivers of enterprise value are aligned.
From Brownsville to Laredo, the Rio South Texas corridor is showing more and more of what disciplined capital looks for: strategic trade position, logistics reach, improving infrastructure, workforce alignment, industrial readiness, and partners committed to doing the hard work required to reduce execution risk.
That is why I believe the region is evolving beyond a transportation and logistics story. It is accelerating into a broader industrial platform—one capable of supporting the next chapter of North American growth across advanced manufacturing, aerospace and SpaceX-adjacent activity, energy, and over time, data infrastructure.
The real opportunity is not simply that the region is growing. It is that the region is becoming more investable as most recently evidenced by the Valeo announcement of a new plant in McAllen.
My thanks to COSTEP, Kraus Development, Killam Development for their hospitality and to the many regional leaders who are approaching this work with seriousness, collaboration, and a long-term view. When determinants are real, drivers follow. And when both are aligned, prudent capital pays attention.
Editor's Note: The above commentary was penned by Carl Quesinberry, senior director for industrial corporate services for Avison Young, a global commercial real estate advisory firm. The commentary first appeared on Quesinberry's LinkedIn page.
Editor's Note: Carl Quesinberry gave a presentation on what site selectors are looking for at a Council for South Texas Economic Progress event in McAllen. Click here to watch his presentation and an exclusive interview the RGG Business Journal secured with him.
