Citing a World Economic Forum report, Ron Garza says the U.S. is at a pivotal point in manufacturing 

EDINBURG, Texas – By merging innovation and technology with applied research, new products and services emerge, enhancing efficiency and driving job creation, says UT-Rio Grande Valley Associate Vice President Ron Garza.

Speaking at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for UTRGV’s new Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility, Garza said these are key factors in fostering economic growth.

Garza, whose department specializes in workforce and economic development, noted that manufacturing is highly sought after due to its multiplier effect on economic development.

“Manufacturing and advanced manufacturing has the highest multiplier effect – for every dollar you put in in infrastructure and education, you get three (dollars),” he said.  “For every job that’s created for manufacturing, you get about seven to 12.”

Garza said 50 percent of all patents are for manufacturing and 70 percent of all research is in advanced manufacturing.

“Our journey as a Carnegie or One designation is going to be dependent on infrastructure,” Garza said. Committing to creating the infrastructure needed is important, he added.

Stakeholders from across the region are very much involved with development opportunities for economic growth in the area, Garza explained.

“As we’re recruiting these golden opportunities, these big fish, so to speak… we’re all trying to reel in the big one,” Garza said. “This (the Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility) is the bait.”

Garza said the great thing about the way the higher education and EDCs work is that it’s all a continuum. RGV StartUp Week, which was held recently, was founded and born in Brownsville out of the eBridge Center for Business & Commercialization, he said. He said eBridge, the CEED building in Mission, the SES building in Edinburg, and the CIC building in Weslaco “are all conduits working together to develop opportunities,” Garza said.

Garza cited a World Economic Forum report, which stated that the United States is at a pivotal point in manufacturing.

“And basically, you have two choices: you can invest in students, in workers, in technology and infrastructure; or you can be left behind,” he said, referring to the WEF report, adding that the world of advanced manufacturing is changing more rapidly than any other industry.

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