What is COSTEP?

COSTEP, Council for South Texas Economic Progress, is a nonprofit organization established in 1972 to attract and retain investment, support local businesses, and drive competitiveness through public-private partnerships, international collaboration, and government engagement.

The COSTEP
Community

COSTEP encompasses the Rio South Texas Region and its counties and cities, linking them as strategic hubs for trade, manufacturing, logistics, and cross-border collaboration.

Main Cities in the Rio South Texas Region

  • • Brownsville
  • • Donna
  • • Edinburg
  • • Harlingen
  • • Laredo
  • • McAllen
  • • Mercedes
  • • Mission
  • • Pharr
  • • Raymondville
  • • Rio Grande
  • • Roma
  • • San Benito
  • • South Padre Island
  • • Weslaco
  • • Zapata

COSTEP’s Strategic Focus

Expanding the region’s economic development activities, particularly through domestic and foreign direct investment attraction.

MAIN COUNTRIES WITH COMPANIES ESTABLISHED IN THE REGION

Leveraging the commercial and production relationship between the United States and Mexico, which forms the foundation of regional competitiveness.
More than 55% of total trade between the United States and Mexico transits through 18 border crossings in the South Texas River Region.

Integrating and managing existing business intelligence and data resources, as well as developing new information projects becoming The Strategic Information Source. COSTEP has developed the Industrial Data System, dedicated to continuously developing updated economic, demographic, and educational information, becoming a key element for decision-making and effective investment promotion in the Rio South Texas Region.

Promoting the Rio South Texas Region at national and international levels, positioning it before key decision-makers in target industries. • Participation in international trade shows and exhibitions. • Organization of trade missions and familiarization tours.

Developing human talent with innovative initiatives like the Binational Higher Education Advisory Council to connect universities, institutes, clusters, and economic development organizations, strengthening the connection between workforce skills and industrial sector needs.

Placemaking to create vibrant spaces, creating Binational Clusters: automotive, aerospace, electric/electronics, energy, and medical supply manufacturing, where talent and business want to locate.COSTEP provides market data, property search assistance, and facilitates cross-border collaboration and industry partnerships to promote regional growth.

COSTEP Strategic Initiatives

COSTEP carries out a wide range of initiatives aimed at strengthening investment promotion and attraction to the Rio South Texas Region, including:

Signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with clusters, chambers, and business organizations to build alliances that strengthen strategic sectors such as automotive, aerospace, electrical, and electronics, among others.