COSTEP: It’s time for the Rio South Texas region to develop a holistic regional strategic plan

MISSION, Texas – The Council for South Texas Economic Progress would like to develop a holistic regional strategic plan – if it can get buy-in from economic development groups, workforce boards, academia, etc.

The plan would cover the Rio South Texas region, which covers the Rio Grande Valley and Laredo.

In an exclusive interview with the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service, COSTEP CEO Adam Gonzalez said the project is one of his top goals for 2025. He said he and his board of directors have been talking about it for the past few months.

“I really, truly, believe that we need a regional strategic plan with all stakeholders involved that can help us create the guide, the roadmap for not only workforce development, but economic development, infrastructure development, open spaces development as well, so that we have a region that is attractive to outside investment,” Gonzalez said.

Asked what COSTEP needs in order to make the strategic plan happen, Gonzalez said:

“Well, one of thing is for us to decide to do it. The other is, of course, the funding that goes along with it. And the support, really the support, because we’re going to need a lot of data from each community in our region, from the seven counties. I’m talking about, at the county level, at the city level, community level, from the schools, from the workforce boards, from the COG. So, it’s an effort that is all encompassing. So, we can create a holistic strategic plan for the region.”

COG stands for Council of Government. The COG for Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy counties is the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council. The COG for Starr, Zapata, Jim Hogg, and Webb counties is the South Texas Development Council.

Asked if the strategic plan would be led by COSTEP, Gonzalez said:

“We would be the administrator. We would be leading the effort. We would be coordinating the effort. But it is not something that COSTEP can do on its own. We would need all stakeholders in all aspects of economic development and workforce development and community development to be involved for a plan like this to be successful. Other regions throughout the world and throughout the United States have done this and have been successful at it. So, we feel that our next step is to have our holistic regional strategic plan for the Rio South Texas region.”

Asked why a holistic strategic plan for the region is important, Gonzalez said:

“Well, the plan is important because not only does it bring us together as a region to sell the region, but it also helps us bring investment in. When we talk to investors from the outside, they’re planning for the next 30 years. So, if you have a regional strategic plan that is a long-term plan that helps attract the business, they know that we have a plan, not only for infrastructure, but for workforce development, economic development and community development. So, that makes us more attractive, that we’re unified and that we have a plan.”

The Guardian interviewed Gonzalez prior to a COSTEP board meeting held at the Center for Education and Economic Development in Mission. A guest of the board meeting was Aaron Demerson, president and CEO of the Texas Economic Development Corporation. COSTEP leaders presented Demerson with a check. Click here to read the story.

Asked if there is anything else he would like to say, Gonzalez said:

“No, just the fact that we will be reaching out to EDOs, workforce boards, academia, and others throughout the community to visit about our potential strategic plan and what we’re exploring, so that we have buy-in from everybody involved, all the stakeholders, and we can make it a productive and successful plan.”

Editor’s Note: Here is a video interview the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service secured with COSTEP CEO Adam Gonzalez:

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