The Port of Laredo, Texas

-Your partner for business opportunities-

Known locally as “Los Laredos”, Laredo and Nuevo Laredo are actually one city divided only by the Rio Grande. Originally settled by the Spaniards in 1755, Laredo/Nuevo Laredo became the first "official" Port of Entry on the U.S./Mexico's border in 1851. Now, the Laredo Customs District handles more trade than the ports of Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico and West Texas combined. The Port of Laredo is the Number One Inland Port on the U.S.-Mexico border, generating more than $214 Billion in trade, ranked the Number Three Customs District in the U.S. by value of shipment---generating over $303 billion in international trade. In addition, the Port of Laredo is the nation's Number One land border gateway by value of imports and exports, ranking first in the nation in 2017, transported across the border by highways, railroads and pipelines. As the Port of Laredo gains momentum in the global economy, the LEDC continues to foster the economic and industrial development of our community. The LEDC plays a vital role in keeping our local economy strong and vibrant and takes a leading role in promoting the Port of Laredo as the international logistics hub to the Americas. At the center of the primary trade route connecting Canada, the United States and Mexico, and the gateway to Mexico's burgeoning industrial complex, Laredo and Nuevo Laredo offer markets, business opportunities and profit potential which business and industry simply cannot find anywhere else. Laredo is the only U.S./Mexico border city strategically positioned at the convergence of all land transportation systems. Mexico's principal highway and railroad leading from Central America through Mexico City, Saltillo and Monterrey, the industrial heart of Mexico, converge at Laredo to meet two major U.S. rail lines, Inter-state Highway 35 and other roads which fan outwards to the urban centers and seaports of Texas, and beyond to Northern States and Canadian Provinces including Illinois, Michigan, New York and Ontario. For the last several years, Mexico's economic reforms, increased U.S./Mexico trade and cross border production sharing combined to spur Laredo's growth as never before. As the fastest growing city east of the Rocky Mountains, and the most competitive NAFTA crossing, Laredo's bright economic future is vibrant.

Laredo is the place to be!

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Laredo Economic Development CorporationLaredo Economic Development Corporation P.O. Box 2682 (616 Leal St.) Laredo, Texas 78044-2682

Phone: (956)722-0563 Fax (956)722-6247

1-800-820-0564 E-mail: ldfinfo@laredoedc.org

Web Site Address: www.laredoedc.org

Copyright ©2018 Laredo Economic Development Corporation

TABLE OF CONTENTSTABLE OF CONTENTS

Laredo, Texas Demographics

I. Laredo Economic Development Corporation

II. Summary of Potential City of Laredo/Webb County Incentives

III. Industrial Sites

IV. Economic Activity (2012-2018)

V. Vehicles Crossing thru the Port of Laredo Location / Population

VI. Weather Overview

VII. Municipal Government / Federal and State Government

VIII. Current Tax Rates

IX. Permit Information

X. Utilities

XI. Transportation

XII. Education

XIII. Workforce / Community and Recreation Facilities

XIV. Commercial Facilities & Service Business / Trade Organizations

XV. Places of Interest

XVI. Major Employers

XVII. Industrial Parks Contacts

XVIII. Industrial Parks Map

XIX. Laredo Regional Highway System Map / Port of Laredo Primary Trade Routes Map

XX. Main Roads of Nuevo Laredo Map

XXI. Internet Web Sites

The Laredo Economic Development Corporation, formed in November 1966 as Laredo Development Foundation, is a private non-profit corporation dedicated to the economic and industrial development of the Laredo economy. Nationally certified and recognized by the American Economic Development Council, the prime focus of the LEDC is industrial attraction, workforce development, assistance to small business start-ups, as well as expansion and retention of existing industry.

Mission Statement Mission Statement THE MISSION OF THE L AREDO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IS TO PROMOTE AND FOSTER THE ECONOMIC AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE LAREDO REGION. LEDC activities are structured under four divisions, three operating and one internal: Industrial Attraction Division Business Development Division Administration Division International Business Assistance Center—MileOne The Industrial Attraction Division is responsible for maintaining economic data for prospects, selecting target industries, encouraging new industries to locate in Laredo/Nuevo Laredo and helping new companies with the site-selection process and start-up operations. The Business Development Division is responsible for preparing economic studies and forecasts, campaigning for needed educational resources and infrastructure projects and for assisting the border trade advocates and promoting border initiatives. The Administration Division is responsible for contracts, adhering to strict financial procedures, annual audits, preparing financial statements, board minutes and staff reports as well as performing special tasks assigned by the Board. Also responsible for staff training and maintaining membership in the International Economic Development Council and the Texas Economic Development Council as well as others. The MileOne - International Business Assistance Center (IBAC) will (1) promote entrepreneurship and international trade for the Laredo and Webb County South Texas region, (2) encourage FDI by facilitating the process of establishing a business in the U.S., and (3) assist U.S. companies who want to expand their business services into Mexico. As a support center, the IBAC will assist and guide companies through the process of establishing or expanding their business in a foreign country.

FOREIGN TRADE ZONES

Industrial SitesIndustrial Sites

Laredo is the 7th largest FTZ in the US based on the value of Exports.

There are 11 FTZ sites in Laredo as follows:

SITE 1 Laredo International Airport (500 acres)

SITE 2 Tex-Mex Railroad (20 acres)

SITE 3 Killam Industrial Park (500 acres)

SITE 4 Laredo NorthWest Colombia-Solidarity Bridge (1,500 acres)

SITE 5 La Barranca Ranch Development (50 acres)

SITE 6 Unitec Industrial Park (682 acres)

SITE 7 Embarcadero Industrial Park (831 acres) SITE 8 Uni-Trade Forwarding @ RMR Industrial Park (2 acres) SITE 9 Kuehne+Nagel @ RMR Industrial Park (1.158 acres) SITE 10 PG Distribution (1 acre) SITE 11 Sony Electronics (3.463 acres)

TOTAL 4,089 Acres

On August 29, 2012, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Foreign Trade Zone Board approved the reorganization of the City of Laredo, Foreign-Trade Zone 94 service area to include all of 3,376 square miles of Webb County, under the Alternative Site Framework (ASF). Laredo's FTZ has now expanded from the original 9 sites and 4 Temporary Boundary Modifications to include all of Webb County, Texas.

INDUSTRIAL PARKS & BUILDING AVAILABILTY

There are currently over 27 active industrial parks in Laredo with a range of prices and variety of industrial sites. The Port of Laredo has 38 + million square feet of logistical space. In addition, Laredo offers built-to-suit properties at the 33 primary and 6 new industrial parks. For more information, please see the buildings available list on our website at www.laredoedc..org/site selection

Industrial Parks MapIndustrial Parks Map

Economic ActivityEconomic Activity

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Total Work Force MSA (not adjusted)

110,776 111,814 112,013 113,533 114,487 111,688

Employed (not adj.) 104,043 106,126 106,797 107,977 109,597 107,526

Unemployment Rate 6.1% 5.1% 4.5%

4.9% 4.7% 3.8%

Est. Total Wages $3.1 Billion $3.2 Billion $3.4 Billion $3.4 Billion $3.5 Billion $1.8 Billion *

Total Building Permits $415.1 Mill. $409.4 Mill. $409.7 Mill. $515.7 Mill. $446.2 Mill. $390.2 Mill.

Sales Tax Rebates (1%) $39.9 Million $40.2 Million $40.7 Million $38.8 Million $39.9 Million $42.8 Million

Multi-family Housing $28.5 Million $80.1 Million $24.4 Million $10.7 Million $33.5 Million $17.2 Million

Airline Passengers 205,253 205,424 202,961 187,791 167,084 170,752

U.S./Mexico Trade

Exports (to Mexico) $226.1 Billion $240.3 Billion $235.7 Billion $231 Billion $243 Billion $265 Billion

Imports (from Mexico) $280.4 Billion $294.1 Billion $296.4 Billion $294.1 Billion $314 Billion $346 Billion

Total $506.5 Billion $534.4 Billion $532.1 Billion $525.1 Billion $557 Billion $611 Billion

Cross-Border Truck Shipment

South (to Mexico) 1,822,243 1,906,886 1,982,097 2,073,060 2,156,793 2,272,551

North (from Mexico) 1,846,282 1,947,846 2,015,773 2,083,964 2,537,573 2,318.035 Total 3,668,525 3,854,732 3,997,870 4,157,024 4,694,366 4,590,586

Cross-Border Rail (loaded only)

North (from Mexico) 1,370,634 1,481,478 245,508 253,419 239,138 258,554

* Total Wages numbers are based on the 1st and 2nd Quarter of 2018

Source:

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Texas Workforce Commission

U.S. Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Statistics

United Census Bureau

Laredo International Airport.

City of Laredo Building Department

City of Laredo International Bridge System

Port of LaredoPort of Laredo

VEHICLES CROSSING THE BORDER AT LAREDO, TEXAS IN CALENDAR YEAR 2018:

NORTHBOUND Into U.S.

SOUTHBOUND Into MEXICO

TOTAL CROSSBORDER

Total Trucks 2,318,035 2,272,551 4,590,586

Vehicles & Buses (Commercial & Non-Commercial)

5,974,641 6,468,385 10,321,723

TOTAL VEHICLES 2018

NORTHBOUND SOUTHBOUND TOTAL

CROSSBORDER

8,292,676 8,740,936 17,033,612

Source: Laredo International Bridge System and U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics

LocationLocation

The Port of Laredo, Texas is located on U.S. Interstate 35 and Mexico's Pan American Highway; 150 miles west of the deep water port of Corpus Christi; 150 miles north of highly industrialized Monterrey, Mexico; 150 miles south of San Antonio, Texas; and just across the Rio Grande River from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.

HIGHWAY MILEAGE FROM LAREDO TO: City Miles Driving Time City Miles Driving Time

Monterrey 150 2.5 Hours Detroit 1,546 28.0 Hours

San Antonio 154 2.5 Hours New York 1,946 35.0 Hours

Houston 301 5.0 Hours Chicago 1,341 24.0 Hours

Dallas 424 7.0 Hours Atlanta 1,137 20.5 Hours

Corpus Christi 150 2.5 Hours Toronto 1,783 32.5 Hours

Population With an estimated population of 236,057 in the year 2010, Laredo has experienced a growth of 8.2% with an estimated population of 260,654 by July 2017. With approximately 399,431 living across the border in our Sister City of Nuevo Laredo, the Los Dos Laredos region has a combined population of over 660,085 habitants.

LAREDO-WEBB MSA TRENDS

1970 72,859

1980 99,258 +36.2%

1990 133,239 +34.2%

2000 193,117 +45.0%

2010 231,091 +22.3%

Note: the 10-year growth rate of 45% from

1990 to 2000 far exceeds the 10-year growth

AREA

City of Laredo: 59,411 acres or 92.83 sq. mi.

County of Webb: 2,148,480 acres or 3,357 sq. mi.

Topography: Relatively flat with rolling hills.

Average Elevation: 438 feet

ETHNIC GROUPS

Hispanic 95.4%

Non-Hispanic 3.5%

White alone 94.7%

Black or African alone 0.4%

Asian alone 0.6%

American Indian

and Alaskan Native

0.2%

Two or more races 0.6%

AGE GROUP

Under 5 10% Female 51.4%

Under 18 34.1% Male 48.6%

65 and over 8.6%

Population Characteristics

Veterans, 2012-2016 5,080

Foreign Born, 2012-2016 26.4%

Source: United Census Bureau, City of Laredo, Real Estate Center of Texas A&M University.

Laredo: Weather Overview Laredo: Weather Overview

PRECIPITATION 2018 Max Average Min

Precipitation 3.36 in. 0.09 in. 0.00 in.

Snow depth 0.00 in. 0.00 in. 0.00 in.

TEMPERATURE 2018 Max Average

Highest Maximum Temp. (September) 114°F 89°F

Lowest Minimum Temp. (January) 27°F 53°F

WIND 2018 Max Min Average

Wind 42 mph 0 mph 10 mph

Gust Wind 56 mph 23 mph 16 mph

CILMATE HISTORICAL DATA—Monthly Temperature and Precipitation Normals (1981-2010)

Source: Weather Underground - The Weather Channel.

Municipal GovernmentMunicipal Government

City of Laredo is administered by a City Manager form with the City Council consisting of a Mayor elected at large and eight (8) Council members representing districts. www.ci.laredo.tx.us

Webb County is administered by the Webb County Commissioner's Court consisting of a County Judge and four (4) Commissioners representing districts. www.webbcountytx.gov. The local government has a Planning Commission, a City Master Plan, and Zoning.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

#of Pumper Trucks: 14

Fire Suppression Rating Schedule: Class 4

Service Provided Outside City Limits No

Stations 14

Regional Fire Training Facility 1

Fire Chief: Steve Landin (956) 718-6000

Fire Marshal: Andres Jimenez, Jr. (959) 718-6000

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Sworn Personnel: 492

Non-sworn Personnel: 91

Negotiators 58

SWAT Team 76

Service Provided Outside City Limits No

Main Station & City Annex 1

Chief Claudio Treviño, Jr. (956) 795-2899

Laredo Fire Dept. has 30 State Certified Hazmat Technicians and one Hazmat Unit fully equipped. Laredo

Firefighters have received Hazardous Material Training in all modes: WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction),

Bio/Chem.-Terrorism, and river containment procedures. Training Center consists of a 10,000 sq. ft. build-

ing, and is on 77 acres, plus 200 acres for future expansion, state of the art training center, conference

room, gymnasium, auditorium for 80 students, 2 class rooms for 40 students. Reviews building plans for

specific Fire Code requirements. There is no cost for review.

OTHER CITY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS

Animal Control

Building Development Services

Convention & Visitors Bureau

Environmental Services

Information Services & Telecommunication

Laredo International Airport

Laredo Public Library

Parks & Leisure Services

Planning & Zoning

Transit / El Metro

Source: City of Laredo, Laredo Police Department, Laredo Fire Department.

Pete Saenz Mayor Term: Nov. 2014 to Nov. 2018

Federal and State GovernmentFederal and State Government

GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN CITY

Federal: Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. General Services Administration, U.S. Government-Federal Courthouse, U.S. Marshall Services, U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Federal Bureau Investigation, U.S. Attorney, US Labor Department Wage & Hour Division, Transportation Department, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Agricultural Department, U.S. Social Security Administration, Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, US Veterans Affairs Department. State: Highway Patrol, Public Health Department, Texas Workforce Solutions, Texas Child Protective Services, WIC, Agriculture, U.S. Attorney General, Comptroller, Department of Public Safety, Parks, Human Services Transportation, Workers Compensation, Texas Migrant Council .

MILITARY INSTALLATIONS WITHIN 30 MILES

U.S.A.F. and F.A.A. Radar Site at Oilton U.S. Army Reserve Center in Laredo Texas Army National Guard Armory in Laredo

Senator Judith Zaffirini

District 21 Rep. Richard Peña Raymond

District 42

Source: City of Laredo.

Congressman Henry R. Cuellar

28th Congressional District

LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES

INSIDE CITY LIMITS OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS

City of Laredo: 0.634000 City of Laredo: 0

County: County:

Webb County 0.412000 Webb County .405824

Laredo College 0.297163 Road & Bridge .014231

Laredo I.S.D. 1.4108 Laredo College .064174

TOTAL TAX 2.759663 United I.S.D. 1.194860

United I.S.D. 1.214860

TOTAL TAX 2.563723 TOTAL TAX 1.679089

SALES AND USE TAX RATE

Webb County 0.5% Laredo's public transportation system has the highest ridership in the U.S. Also, Laredo offers a franchise tax of .04500 and by which it can vary.

HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX RATE The City of Laredo’s current hotel occupancy tax rate is 14.00%. This rate consists of 7.00% City of Laredo; 1.00% Webb County; and 6.00% State of Texas.

Sports Venue 0.25%

City of Laredo 1.25%

State of Texas 6.25%

TOTAL 8.25%

Current Tax RatesCurrent Tax Rates

The FY 2017 property tax rate for the City of Laredo is $0.634000 per $100 value. This tax rate consists of the

Maintenance and Operation rate of $0.493751 per $100 taxable value and an Interest and Sinking Rate of

$0.143249 per $100 taxable value.

The current total local sales tax rate in Webb County, TX is 6.750%. The December 2015 total local sales tax

rate was also 6.750%.

Laredo is in the following zip codes: 78040, 78041, 78042, 78043, 78044, 78045, 78046, 78049.

Other City Details

Source: City of Laredo.

Laredo Permit InformationLaredo Permit Information

ALARM SYSTEM PERMIT City Hall Annex - Tax Department 1102 Bob Bullock Loop P.O. Box 6548 Laredo, Texas 78042-6548 (956) 727-6414 (956) 727-6410 fax

City Ordinance #2001-0-050 requires all alarm system to be registered with the City of Laredo. It is the permit holder's responsibility to post the permit and to renew before the expiration date. A permit can be obtained at City of Laredo Tax Department by submitting an Alarm System Permit Application. Alarm Permit Fee: Residential - $40 Alarm Permit Fee: Residential Over 65 - $25.00 Non-Residential: $60

BUILDING PERMITS Building Residential Mechanical Plumbing Energy Fuel Gas Private sewage disposal (956) 794-1625 (956) 795-2998 fax

No building permit or moving permit will be issued until a street-cut permit is issued by the street-cut division. There are separate fee schedules for each type of application. In particular, the general building permit requires a plan review fee apart from the building permit fee. General building permit fees are calculated by square footage and value.

INSTALLATION PERMIT Building Department 1120 San Bernardo Laredo, Texas 78040 (956) 794-1625 (956) 795-2998 fax

This permit is required for the installation of any new structure. As an example, the placement of a portable or mobile building such as a manufactured home or placement of an existing structure from another location. An application can be obtained at the Building Department for a cost of: $50 per structure.

STREET CUTS Street Cut Inspectors Office 1120 San Bernardo P.O. Box 579 Laredo, Texas78042 (956) 794-1625 (956) 795-2998 fax

Street Cut Permits are required for the installation of new water, sewer, or gas taps; construction of driveways and sidewalks or any construction in the City of Laredo's Right-of-Way to include sprinkler systems. Effective April 1, 2014 the cost per curb cut permit is: $50 per residential curb cut $250 per commercial curb cut

DEMOLITION PERMIT Building Department 1120 San Bernardo P.O. Box579 Laredo, Texas 78042 (956) 794-1625 (956) 795-2998 fax

A demolition permit can be obtained from the building department for a cost of: $50 per structure

Source: Building Development Service Department - City of Laredo.

City of LaredoCity of Laredo Environmental Services Department

Divisions

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS DIVISION 619 Reynolds Laredo, Texas 78040 John Porter, REM, CFM, CPM Director jporter@ci.laredo.tx.us (956) 794-1650 (956) 727-7944 fax

Any person or entity who uses, stores, consumes, manages, disposes, transfers or handles any hazardous material in, on, or about a storage facility must obtain and maintain a hazardous materials storage and handling permit that is applicable to the facility classification. The annual permit fee for a hazardous materials storage facility is five hundred dollars ($500.00). A hazardous materials storage and handling permit may be issued for a term of one (1) year. A provisional permit may be issued for any period of time up to six (6) months. A temporary permit may be issued for no longer than thirty (30) days. Current Number of Hazardous Material Permits: 624 2,181,472 Gallons of Hazardous Materials Monitored by Division. 65,632,482,887 Pounds of Hazardous Materials Monitored by Division.

Source: Hazardous Materials Division - City of Laredo.

STORMWATER DIVISION 619 Reynolds Laredo, Texas 78040 John Porter, REM, CFM, CPM Director jporter@ci.laredo.tx.us (956) 794-1650 (956) 727-7944 fax

The Stormwater Division deals with issues involving water quality, watershed management, household hazardous waste issues, illegal dumping, and construction and industrial storm water permits. Construction Storm Water Permits are required of land disturbance sites greater than 5 acres. Smaller projects may be required to obtain a Construction Storm Water Permit if it is part of a larger planned development (i.e. individual lots in a housing development would not be exempt from a permit since they are part of a larger development). In order to obtain a Construction Storm Water Permit, a SWPPP or SWP3 needs to be submitted to the Environmental Department as well as a copy of the Notice of Intent (NOI) for the project. In addition to the documents required above, the Construction Storm Water Permit requires the submission of a Storm Water Management Plan. After all documents are received the site will be inspected by the Environmental Department, and if all requirements are met, a Storm Water Permit will be issued for the construction activity. Number of Industrial Stormwater Permits: 64

UtilitiesUtilities

ELECTRICITY

Providers: AEP Texas, GEXA Energy, Frontier

Utilities, Cirro Energy, 4Cgange Energy, Trieagle,

Direct Energy, First Choice Power, TXU, Just Energy,

Green Mountain Energy, Champion, Reliant,

Payless Power, Spark Energy, Bounce Energy,

See www.powertochoose.org for additional information.

NATURAL GAS

Distributor: Center Point Energy

Size of district line: 12 inch

District line pressure: 100 PSI

District line pressure: 10-15 PSI

Average BTU per cubic foot: 1000 BTU/CF

Center Point/Reliant Energy/Entex (956) 723-6351

SEWER

Type of treatment plant: Secondary/oxidation

Plant (EFFECTIVE 10/01/15) Inside City Limits: 0 to 2,000 gallons

Basic rate:

Residential: Commercial:

$9.29 $24.87

Plant capacity: 25.1 mgpd INDUSTRIAL WASTE

Disposal Services are available.

TELE-COMMUNICATIONS

Telephone Company: AT&T

Services available

ATM cell relay ISDN PRI

Enterprise network support Frame Relay

DSL internet service Select Data

800-Conference Long Distance

For other services available contact: Lupita Zepeda (956) 727-6703

Long-Distance Companies: AT&T Company, Lone Star Telecom, MCI Telecommunications, Sprint, Laredo Cellular, T&H Telephone Services, and U.S. Long Distance.

WATER

(EFFECTIVE 10/01/15)

Inside City Limits: *Usage charge per 1,000 gallons,

up to 2,000 gallons.

5/8" & 3/4" Meter Inside City Limits: *Usage

charge per 1,000 gallons

Basic rate:

Residential:

Commercial:

$9.44

$35.55

Source: City of Laredo Utilities.

TransportationTransportation

Laredo is the largest, most efficient port of entry on the U.S./Mexico border. In 2018, the Port of Laredo handled 1,766,327 cross border truck shipments. In 2019, it handled 192,251 rail car shipments. Currently, there are 830 trade-handling, transportation-related businesses in Laredo, Texas. Including cars, over 14,360,601 vehicles crossed the Rio Grande at Laredo in 2018.

AIR

Laredo International Airport (956) 795-2000 - The Airport is located on 1,800 acres of a former U.S. Air Force Base. The airport has two paralleled runways of 8,236 feet and 8,742 feet, and a cross-wind runway of 5,927 feet. The 8,742 ft. runway is the longest commercial runway in South Texas and was reconstructed in 1997 to handle the heaviest aircraft now flying. The runways are equipped with ILS (17R), LOC BC, VOR DME and NDB/GPS approaches. The control tower is open 18 hours a day during the week, and 14 hours per day on the weekends. There are three (3) FBO's at LRD, Landmark Aviation, Altair, and Barker Automotive.

Commercial aviation is served by a 78,000 modern passenger terminal with 4 jet boarding bridges. Commercial passenger service is provided by American Airlines with service to Dallas/Forth Worth, United Express to

Houston Intercontinental, and Allegiant, which offers year round scheduled service to Las Vegas and seasonal service to Orlando-Sanford. Private fixed wind and helicopter service is available. The airport has dedicated air freight facilities in excess of 200,000 sq. ft. Scheduled Air Cargo service is provided by UPS and FedEx. There are 30+ Air Cargo charter operators that offer on-demand service from LRD including Northern Air Cargo, USA Jet/TSM, Kallita Charters, IFL, Everts Air, Freight runners, and many others. For 2015, LRD was ranked as the 50th largest All-Cargo airport in the United States.

The Airport has an active Foreign Trade Zone program and is also the Grantee for FTZ 94 which services all of Webb County. Non-aeronautical properties continue to be developed into a world class medical campus. Additional City, State, and Federal facilities have been built such as a U.S. Veteran's Clinic, State Attorney General's Office, City Police Department, and Municipal Court.

The Laredo International Airport has become a diverse professional campus servicing both the Airline and Aviation industry and the needs of the community.

deep water ports

Corpus Christi- 6th largest deep-water port in the U.S. & 3rd largest bulk-handling port in the U.S.

Channel depth: 45 ft.

Width: 400 ft.

Distance from Laredo: 156 miles

Directly connected to Laredo by the Texas—Mexican

Railroad Hwy.

Houston- 2nd in the U.S. in foreign tonnage, 2nd in total tonnage and is one of the world's 10 busiest ports.

Channel depth: Mean low tide of 40 ft.

Width: 400 ft.

Distance from Laredo: 301 miles

Directly connected to Laredo by the Texas—Mexican

Railroad Hwy.

Source: Laredo International Airport, United States Department of Transportation - Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

TransportationTransportation

HIGHWAYS

I.H. 35- To San Antonio, Dallas & north to the Canadian Border. (Pan American Highway)

Hwy 59- To Houston, New Orleans & east.

I.H. 69 From Texas to Michigan

Hwy 359- To Corpus Christi

Hwy 83- To Brownsville (east) & El Paso (west)

RAIL

Laredo is serviced by Union Pacific and Kansas City Southern Railroads. Union Pacific Railroad, the largest railroad in North America, covers 23 states across two thirds of the United States and has rail lines serving many major cities including Chicago, Kansas City, St. Louis, Memphis, New Orleans, Seattle, Portland, los Angeles, and Houston. UP also has direct connections to all areas of Mexico and Canada. Laredo is Union Pacific's #1 Rail Interchange Gateway on the U.S./Mexico Border. KCSR (Kansas City Southern Railroad) interchanges with the BNSF (Burlington Northern Santa Fe) and UPRR and other U5. Railroads and owns the KCSM that interchanges at Brownsville and Laredo, Texas.

BUS SERVICE

Americanos USA, Autobuses Latino de Greyhound, El Conejo Bus lines, El Metro (Laredo Municipal Transit System), El Aguila (County Transit System), El Expreso Bus Company, and Giros El Paisano

MOTOR FREIGHT

Industrial activity in the Laredo area is served from all points by virtually every motor freight carrier in the U.S. providing interstate services. In addition, Laredo is the only border city serviced by ICC licensed cross border "drayage" carriers that provide international service between Laredo, Texas and Nuevo Laredo, Tamps.

PARCEL SERVICE

OVERNIGHT TERMINAL

Federal Express Yes Yes

DHL Worldwide Yes Yes

Profit Freight System Yes Yes

Airborne Express Yes Yes

UPS Yes Yes

Lonestar Yes Yes

TRADE HANDLING SERVICES

The following Associations can be reached through the Laredo Development Foundation: Laredo Licensed U.S. Customs Brokers Association (LLUSCBA)- Laredo's custom house brokers are the most experienced on the U.S./Mexico border. Many of the current brokers are operating family-owned companies established in the late 1850's. Association of Logistics and Forwarding Agents (ALFA) ALFA is a sister organization of the Customs Brokers Association of Nuevo Laredo, which brings together members of the same companies that have a redirecting in Laredo Texas, to represent their interests in the U.S. Logistics & Manufacturing Association Port Laredo (LMA)- is an organization established to represent and promote long-term industrial and allied service interest to Los Dos Laredos. Consists of trucking companies, freight forwarders, railroads, and air freight companies.

Source: City of Laredo

EducationEducation

The Laredo community is made up of two districts, Laredo Independent School District and United Independent School District. The goal of each school district is to work together with the students, parents, teachers, and administrators, in the quest of having excellence in education. Learning is the key to a bright and successful future. By setting high standards, the districts play a crucial role in preparing the students to meet the challenges and demands of today's high-tech, multi-cultural work place.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Laredo Independent School District and United Independent School District

Total enrollment: 71,744 (both districts)

# of H.S. graduates: 2,800/year (both districts)

LISD—inside city limits

UISD—inside and outside city limits

ADULT EDUCATION

G.E.D. (Level 4), LC conducts customized training courses as requested by businesses and industries.

Plazas Comunitarias, TAMIU. Program develop by the Mexican National Institute for Adult Education (ITEA).

SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center, Laredo State Center, and the following Magnet Schools:

LISD Magnet Schools Vidal M. Trevino School of Communications &

Fine Arts, for visual and performing arts which includes the district's alternative schools: Martin, Nixon, Cigarroa, Francisco Lara Middle and High School Academy

Dr. Dennis D. Cantu Health Science Magnet School

Sabas Perez School for Engineering and Technology Education

UISD Magnet Schools J.B. Alexander High School Magnet for Health and

Science United South High School Academy of Global

Business and Advanced Technology United High School Engineering and Technology

Magnet

VOCATIONAL TRAINING

American Driving School Inc., Laredo Beauty College, Laredo Driver Training School Inc., and TCR computer Training Center.

HIGHER EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES (CITY, COUNTY, STATE)

Facility Name Miles A.A. B.S. M.S. PH.D.

Laredo College- Laredo yes no no no

Texas A&M International Univ.- Laredo no yes yes yes

Texas A&M Univ.- Kingsville 120 no yes yes yes

University of Texas at San Antonio 150 no yes yes yes

Southwest Texas State- San Marcos 200 no yes no no

University of Texas at Austin 230 no yes yes yes

Texas A&M University- College Station 345 no yes yes yes

SUMMARY OF EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES

UISD LISD PRIVATE

Elementary Schools 29 20 29

Middle Schools 11 4 5

High Schools 8 7 4

Source: United Independent School District, Laredo Independent School District, Texas A&M International University.

JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS

Laredo College- Customized training and classroom training in many subjects.

South Texas Private Industry Council- JTPA programs for OJT and classroom training

LC Export/Import Center -Vocational training in cross-border trade-handling for Custom Brokers, etc.

Laredo Job Corps Center, Ser-Jobs (or Progress, Texas Careers, Southern Career Institute

WorkforceWorkforce

Community and Recreational Facilities

LODGING

Hotels/Motels: 39

MEDICAL

Hospitals: 5

Doctors Hospital, Laredo Medical Center, Providence Center, Laredo Specialty Hospital, Driscoll Children’s Specialty Center

Total no. of beds: *585

(Laredo Medical Center 326, Doctors Hospital 187, Providence Hospital 12, Laredo Specialty Hospital 60)

Number of physicians: 258

Clinics: 42

Ambulance service: 14 local companies

RECREATIONAL, SOCIAL, CULTURAL

Laredo Country Club–18-hole championship golf course, tennis courts, swimming pool, racquetball, sauna, superb dining and banquet area- 600 members. Max Mandel Golf Course—Situated on 273 acres of typical South Texas Mesquite land. Holes of 8, 9, 15 and 16 play directly alongside and overlooking the Rio Grande. It has a par 72 golf course that has excellent balance of drama, playability, risk, and reward. Laredo Center For The Arts—Multi-discipline arts center for Laredo Art League, Laredo Art League, Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra, Webb County Heritage Foundation and Little Theater Group.

NUMBER OF CHURCHES

125 - 27 Denominations

Source: Texas Workforce Commission.

Community and Recreational FacilitiesCommunity and Recreational Facilities

OTHER SOCIAL CLUBS:

Rotary (4)

Lions Kiwanis Optimists Jaycees

20-30 Club

Woman's City Club

Laredo Young Women's Association

United Way

Leadership Laredo

Boy Scouts of America

Girl Scouts of America

Laredo Little League

Washington's Birthday Celebration Association

Animal Protective Society

Laredo International Fair & Exposition

Junior Achievement of South Texas

International Good Neighbor Council

Laredo Art League

OTHER FACILIES:

Sames Auto Arena 1

Auditoriums 3

Baseball/Softball 17

Boxing Gyms 5

Libraries 6

Laredo Children’s Museum 4

Plazas 4

Public Parks & Facilities 97

Public Swimming Pools 9

Public Golf Courses 2

Private Golf Courses 2

Racquetball Courts 3

Baseball, Softball & Soccer Fields 23

Tennis Courts 3

Theaters 5

Unitrade Stadium 1

Youth Centers 9

Washington Birthday Celebration

Laredo Public Library

Laredo Energy Arena

Commercial Facilities & ServicesCommercial Facilities & Services

NEWSPAPER

Laredo Morning Times & San Antonio Express News, El Mañana de Nuevo Laredo

(Smaller) Weekly & Daily Newspapers: 7

Major Newspaper Circulation: 38,807

RADIO AND TELEVISION

Radio Stations in the City: 18

Television Stations: 8

Cable Operator: Spectrum, DirectTV & Dish 3

TELEGRAPH

American Telegram, A Coast to Coast Worldwide, Western Union

COMPUTER SERVICES

Services: 30

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

In partnership with the Texas A&M International University's Small Business Development Center offers free counseling on business plans and other pre-requisites for applying for SBA-Guaranteed loans as well as management, marketing and other assistance.

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ASSETS

International Bank of Commerce $12.2 Billion (2017)

BBVA Compass Bank $86.5 Billion (2018)

Plains Capital Bank (formerly First National Bank)

$9 Billion (2018)

Wells Fargo Bank $1.75 Trillion (2018)

Commerce Bank $30.3 Billion (2018)

Falcon International Bank $1.12 Billion (2018)

Texas Community Bank $1.37 Billion (2018)

Vantage Bank of Texas $1.9 Billion (2018)

Bank of America $2.15 Trillion (2018)

JPMorgan/Chase & Co. $2.53 Trillion (2018)

Laredo Federal Credit Union $128.18 Million (2018)

TEX-MEX Credit Union $9.52 Million (2018)

Laredo Fire Department Federal Credit Union

$12.5 Million (2018)

South Texas Regional Federal Credit Union

$6.7 Million (2018)

Source: IBanknet.com

Business & Trade OrganizationsBusiness & Trade Organizations

Laredo Economic Development Corporation (LEDC)

616 Leal Street (P.0. Box 2682) Laredo, Texas 78044-2682

(956)722-0563 (956)722-6247 fax

Executive Director: Olivia Varela Email: info@laredoedc.org

Website: www.laredoedc.org

Logistics & Manufacturing Association Port Laredo (LMA) P.O. Box 451391

Laredo, Texas 78045 (956)791-2143

President: Jason Hinojosa Email: lmaportlaredo@gmail.com

www.lmaportlaredo.com Primary focus: Manufacturing & Maquiladora

Laredo Chamber of Commerce 2310 San Bernardo (P.O. Box 790)

Laredo, Texas 78042 (956)722-9895

(956)791-4503 fax President & CEO: Miguel Conchas

Website: www.laredochamber.com Primary focus: Retail

TAMIU -Small Business Development Center 5201 University Blvd. Laredo, Texas 78041

(956)326-2827 (956)326-2544

Director: Michael I. Gonzalez Website: http://sbdc.tamiu.edu

Primary focus: Small Business Development & Assistance

Texas Center for Border and Economic Development

Texas A&M International University 5201 University Blvd.

Laredo, Texas 78041-1900 (956)326-2547

(956)326-2544 fax Director: Federico Schaffler

Website: http://texascenter.tamiu.edu Primary focus: Border economic development &

trade data

Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade Texas A&M International University

5201 University Blvd. Laredo, Texas 78041-1900

(956)326-2820 (956)326-2819 fax

Director: Stephen Meardon Website: http://freetrade.tamiu.edu

Primary Focus: Western Hemispheric Trade

Business & Trade Organizations Business & Trade Organizations

Laredo Licensed U.S. Customs Brokers Association One West End Washington St # P3,

Laredo, Texas 78040-4300 (956) One Wes End Washington St # P3,

Laredo, TX 78040-4300 (956) 740-7707

President: Raul S. Villarreal Website: www.lluscba.org

Primary focus: Customs & Trade

Laredo Association of Realtors 616 Leal St.

Laredo, Texas 78041 (800) 873-9155 (956) 712-4400

President: Ana Quesada Website: www.laredorealtors.org

Primary focus: Real Estate

Mexican Customs Broker Association Ave. Cesar Lopez de Lara #3603 Nuevo Laredo, Tamps. 88000

(011)52-867-711-5800 Email: presidente@aaanld.org

Website: www.aaanld.org President: Edgardo Pedraza Quintanilla

Primary focus: Mexican Customs, Trade, & Transportation

Consejo para el Desarollo Economico e Industrial de Nuevo Laredo (CODEIN)

Reynosa No. 1413, 3er piso, Sector Centro Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico C.P.

88000 011-52-867-712-34-37

011-52-867-712-34-70 fax Website: www.codein.org

President: Lic. Carlos Montoya Director: Arq. Jose Alfredo Leal

Primary Focus: Industrial & Economic

Laredo Builders Association 210 W. Hillside #3

Laredo, Texas 78041 (956) 722-5553

(956) 791-3722 fax President: Andy Gonzalez

Website: www.laredobuilders.org Director: Sheri Alba

Primary focus: Construction & Development

Ass. of Logistics & Forwarding Agents 107 Calle del Norte Ste. 114

(956) 791-7690 (956) 724-3026 fax Laredo, Texas 78041

Website: www.forwarding.org President: Dionisio J. Gonzalez de Castilla

Primary focus: Freight Forwarders

Places of InterestPlaces of Interest

Planetarium at Texas A&M International University

La Posada Hotel

Major EmployersMajor Employers

Major employers list, compiled by the Laredo EDC on January 2019, in the City of Laredo include the

following:

LAREDO, TEXAS TOP EMPLOYERS

PRIVATE SECTOR: #Employees Telephone #

H.E.B. (7 locations) 1,800 956-724-1761

McDonald’s Restaurant 1520 956-724-6110

Laredo Medical Center 1450 956-796-5000

Wal-Mart (4 Locations) 2,125 956-791-3303

Convergys 940 956-728-5500

Doctor’s Hospital 868 956-523-2000

International Bank of Commerce 668 956-722-7611

The Outlet Shoppes (57 stores) 800-2,300 956-625-5353

Sames Auto Arena 175 956-791-9192

Target Greatland (2 Stores) 450 956-722-6800

Sames Motor Company 223 956-721-4700

BBVA Compass Bank (11 locations) 193 956-724-7911

Falcon International Bank (7 locations) 350 956-723-2265

Union Pacific Railroad 175 956-721-3249

Family Chevrolet 157 956-727-1192

Sears & Roebuck and Co. 105 956-726-2100

PUBLIC SECTOR:

United Independent School District 7,174 956-473-6273

Laredo Independent School District 4,500 956-795-3200

City of Laredo 2,535 956-791-7411

Laredo Sector Border Patrol 1,400 956-764-3200

US CBP—Customs Field Office 1,950 956-253-7300

Webb County 1,500 956-523-4999

Texas A&M International University 1,392 956-326-2365

Laredo Community College 929 956-721-5138

Border Region Behavioral Health Center 250 956-794-3000

Gateway Community Health Center 231 956-795-8100

U.S. Post Office 164 210-368-8412

Source: Texas Workforce Commission, and LEDC contact each employer directly.

Industrial Park ContactsIndustrial Park Contacts CROSSROADS INDUSTRIAL PARK Carlo Molano- Forum CRE 10410 Medical Loop, Suite 1B Laredo, TX 78045 (956) 717-9090

DEL MAR INDUSTRIAL PARK Del Mar Blvd. and Santa Maria For more information contact: Laredo Development Foundation (956) 722-0563 or (800) 820-0564

EASTPOINT Lula Morales 5615 San Dario Laredo, Texas 78041 (956) 724-9094

EL PORTAL J.R. Hurd/Patricia Brock (210) 829-5255

EMBARCADERO Benjamin Puig 8333 Milo Road Laredo, Texas 78045 (956) 791-5000

INTER-AMERICA Lula Morales 5615 San Dario Laredo, Texas 78041 (956) 724-9094

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT INDUSTRIAL PARK Mario Maldonado 5210 Bob Bullock Loop Laredo, Texas 78041 (956) 795-2000

INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE Rudy Benavides I Andy Garcia 6900 McPherson Rd. Laredo, Texas 78041 (956) 726-1165

INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTER Rudy Benavides 6900 McPherson Rd. Laredo, Texas 78041 (956) 726-1165

KILLAM INDUSTRIAL PARK Rolando Ortiz P.O. Box 499 Laredo, Texas 78042 (956) 724-7141

LAREDO INT'L AIR PARK Rudy Benavides 6900 McPherson Rd. Laredo, Texas 78041 (956) 726-1165

MCPHERSON ACRES Rudy Benavides 6900 McPherson Rd. Laredo, Texas 78041 (956) 726-1165

MILLENNIUM INDUSTRIAL PARK Lula Morales 5615 San Dario Laredo, Texas 78041 (956) 724-9094

MILO DISTRIBUTION CENTER Lula Morales 5615 San Dario Laredo, Texas 78041 (956) 724-9094

MODERN INDUSTRIAL PARK Carlo Molano -Forum CRE 10410 Medical Loop, Suite 1B Laredo, TX 78045

OCTAVIO SALINAS INDUSTRIAL PARK Riverside Drive Laredo, Texas 78041 For more information contact: (956)

PAN AMERICAN BUSINESS PARK Howard Ruhlman P.O. Box 1768 Laredo, Texas 78041 (956) 723-3626

PELLEGRINO PARK Lula Morales 5615 San Dario Laredo, Texas 78041 (956) 724-9094

PINTO VALLE INDUSTRIAL PARK 3001 Lyon St. Laredo, Texas 78043 (956)

RMR & TWJ INDUSTRIAL PARK Flecha Lane and Mines Rd.

SOUTH LAREDO INDUSTRIAL PARK Joe Maldonado—Sanchez Oil & Gas Co 1920 Sandman St (956) 722-8092 jmaldonado@sanchezog.com

SOUTHERN DEVELOPMENT INDUSTRIAL PARK Joe Maldonado—Sanchez Oil and Gas Co. 1920 Sandman St (956) 722-8092 jmaldonado@sanchezog.com

TEJAS INDUSTRIAL PARK 3001 Lyon St. Laredo, Texas 78043 (956)

TEX-MEX INDUSTRIAL PARK Arturo Dominguez P.O. Box 419 Laredo, Texas 78042 (956) 728-6700

UNITEC INDUSTRIAL PARK 3001 Lyon St. Laredo, Texas 78043 (956)

PORT GRANDE Carlo Molano- Forum CRE 10410 Medical Loop, Suite 1B Laredo, TX 78045 (956) 717-9090

WORLD TRADE COMMERCE CENTER Hector Romeu, Jr. I Nick Soto (956)279-1447 or 1-800-653-4672

Attorney General of Texas: www.oag.state.tx.us

Bureau of Labor Statistics: www.bls.gov

Bureau of Transportation Statistics: www.bts.gov

Business and Industry Data Center: www.bidc.state.tx.us

Caminos y Puentes Federales: www.capufe.gob.mx

City of Laredo, Texas: www.ci.laredo.tx.us

County of Webb: www.webbcounty.com

First Gov. Official Web Site to search the U.S. Government:

www.firstgov.gov

Laredo Chamber of Commerce www.laredochamber.com

Laredo Community College www.laredo.cc.tx.us

Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau www.visitlaredo.com

Laredo Development Foundation: www.ldfonline.org

Secretaria de Economia (SECOFI): www .secofi.gob.mx

State of Texas: www.texas.gov

Texas A & M University: www.tamu.edu

Texas A & M International University: www.tamiu.edu

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts: www.window.state.tx.us

Texas Department of Economic Development: www.tded.state.tx.us

Texas Department of Health: www.tdh.texas.gov

Texas Education Agency: www.tea.state.tx.us

The Texas Legislative Council: www.tlc.state.tx.us

Texas State Data Center: txsdc.tamu.edu

Texas Transportation Institute: tti.tamu.edu

Texas Workforce Commission: www.twc.state.tx.us

U.S. Customs Service: www.customs.ustreas.gov

U.S. Department of Transportation: www.dot.gov

U.S. Treasury www .treas.gov

U.S. International Trade Commission: www .usitc.gov

U.S. Postal Service: www .uspos.com

U.S. Department of State: www.state.gov

Internet Web SitesInternet Web Sites

NOTESNOTES

NOTESNOTES

NOTESNOTES