BROWNSVILLE, Texas - The South Texas Manufacturers Association is considering allowing companies in the produce industry to join the group.
Mike Willis, executive director of the STMA, spoke about the possibility at the organization’s recent monthly meeting in Brownsville. He noted that Valley International Cold Storage from Harlingen was in attendance.
“We’re considering produce industries for membership because it's such a huge part… especially in Hidalgo County. And it's very similar to a distribution center, warehousing operations. So we are recruiting produce companies as well. We're probably going to put a produce company manager on our board, just to have some representation there,” Willis said.
Willis said Cameron County Economic Development Corporation would also be joining STMA, with a formal introduction slated for April’s meeting.
Willis also spoke the wage and benefits survey STMA regularly undertakes.
“We had 46 manufacturing companies that participated. Between them, they have about 8,600 employees, so it's a good cross section of the industry in the Valley. We have 80 job titles, from janitor all the way through general manager in that. It's free, it doesn't cost anything to participate, other than the work the HR people have to do. And the companies that participate get a free copy (of the survey),” Willis said.
“The EDCs (economic development corporations) who help and who are our sponsors fund that project. They also get a copy to use when they meet with site selectors and companies looking to expand in the area. So they know what our wage and benefit rates look like in the Valley.”
The next wage and benefits survey will be conducted next Spring, Willis said.
The EDCs, particularly the Cornerstone and Foundation level sponsors, are very important to STMA, Willis said.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Willis gave an in-depth interview to the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service. Here is a video recording of the interview:
