Pharr Global Business Hub Earns International Recognition for Cross-Border Collaboration

The Pharr Economic Development Corporation (Pharr EDC) has received international recognition from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) for the Pharr Global Business Hub, an initiative helping international companies and investors establish operations in the United States.

Pharr EDC was recognized in the Regional or Cross-Border Partnership category of the 2026 IEDC Excellence Awards. The honor recognizes the Hub’s collaborative model for expanding international business opportunities and strengthening economic ties between South Texas and Mexico.

Developed with The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), the Pharr Global Business Hub brings together business advisory services, international and local entrepreneurship programs, small business development, incubation, and connections with community partners. As one of UTRGV’s Innovation Hubs in the Rio Grande Valley, it serves both international companies entering the U.S. market and local entrepreneurs seeking to grow.

For Victor Perez, President and CEO of Pharr EDC, the recognition validates work that began approximately three years ago after conversations with Mexican business owners interested in opportunities in Pharr.

“This is something big for us because many other organizations apply, and this is a very good project that is going to have an impact,” Perez said.

The Hub was created to simplify the path for companies and investors who may be unfamiliar with the U.S. market, its processes, or the institutions they need to contact. Through a single point of access, entrepreneurs can connect with educational institutions, business organizations, advisors, service providers, support programs, and resources related to financing, commercial and industrial properties, warehouses, architects, engineers, legal matters, workforce development, and more.

Its services include soft-landing programs, business advisory support, training, small business development, and entrepreneurship resources, helping business owners make more informed decisions before committing resources to a project.

Interest in the Hub is already growing. During a recent business mission, 35 investors visited Pharr and the Hub to explore investment opportunities in the United States. Participants included business owners from Michoacán, Nuevo León, and Zacatecas, as well as representatives from financial institutions, attorneys, and organizations supporting small businesses.

“When we bring this type of investor here who is interested in investing with us, we know that we are doing the job well,” Perez said.

While located in Pharr, the Hub is designed to benefit the entire Rio South Texas region. It has also begun welcoming visitors from across the United States and other countries who want to learn about opportunities in Pharr and throughout Rio South Texas.

Since opening in 2024, the Pharr Global Business Hub has operated as a one-stop business development center with a particular focus on international business. The IEDC recognition affirms Pharr EDC’s strategy of using the Hub to attract investment, strengthen international trade, and create economic opportunities that extend beyond the city’s borders.