EVIDENCE BASE

Data &
Infographics

The numbers behind the strategy — regional investment, sector growth, budget allocation, and projected outcomes.

KEY INDICATORS

Regional Investment Snapshot

$20B+
Port of Brownsville Pipeline
$13B+
SpaceX Economic Impact
$225M
Valeo (McAllen)
$18.4B
Rio Grande LNG
$3.2B
Saronic (Prospect)
24,000
SpaceX Regional Jobs
10,000
Saronic Projected Jobs
350+
SpaceX Local Suppliers
4.5%
Industrial Vacancy (Record Low)

RGV industrial vacancy hit an all-time low, signaling strong demand for manufacturing and logistics space across the region.

12.3%
RGV GDP Growth (2020–2023)

The Rio Grande Valley's gross domestic product grew significantly, outpacing many metro areas across the state.

28M
Short Tons (Port FY2024)

Record cargo volume at the Port of Brownsville. FTZ #62 ranked #3 in US exports by value.

CORRIDOR MAP

Investment Across the Valley

McAllen

$225M

Valeo · 500 jobs · ISO-8 cleanroom

Elsa

SH 107

Corridor hub · Workforce bridge · Infrastructure investment

Mid-Valley

315+

Manufacturers · Industrial parks · Supply chain

Port / Starbase

$20B+

SpaceX · LNG · Saronic · RAMI

SECTOR ANALYSIS

Sector Targeting Matrix

Sector Focus NOW COMING HORIZON Pipeline Partner
Advanced Mfg Primary 315+ mfrs, Valeo $225M Supply chain expansion Cleanroom, advanced materials TSTC, UTRGV TMAC, STC
Shipbuilding Primary Keppel AmFELS Saronic $3.2B, 10K jobs Autonomous vessels TX A&M RAMI, TSTC
Aerospace Primary SpaceX 350+ suppliers Supplier growth Aerospace cluster UTRGV TMAC, TSTC
Energy Primary LNG $18.4B, Bechtel Trades demand 2026+ Renewables, cross-border TSTC, STC, Unions
Healthcare Continue #1 employer UTRGV Med School Specialty, health-tech STC, TSTC, UTRGV
Supply Chain Primary Logistics, distribution Secondary growth Hub development Workforce Solutions, STC
RESOURCE STRATEGY

Budget & Leverage Model

Elsa EDC Invests
$50K–$75K
per year
Career Expos $12K–$18K
UTRGV CTED $8K–$12K
Partner Coordination $6K–$8K
Marketing $5K–$8K
ISD + Other $14K–$24K
Partners Deliver
$500K+
in training, services & infrastructure
7:1 leverage ratio
TX Skills Dev Fund: $50K–$200K/cohort
EDA Grants: up to $2.4M
USDA Rural Development: Variable
Workforce Solutions: No cost (vouchers)
Employer In-Kind: Tours, speakers, interns

Elsa EDC funds the coordination layer. The ecosystem funds the delivery.

THE GAP

Elsa Today vs. Elsa Tomorrow

Today

  • ✕Zero workforce programs beyond 1 leadership academy
  • ✕CTE programs with no employer connections
  • ✕No partnership with Port corridor or RAMI
  • ✕No career awareness events or resource guide
  • ✕Unreliable transit; SH 107 not yet expanded
  • ✕Graduates leave with no return pathway

Year 2 Target

  • ✓8+ formalized workforce partnerships
  • ✓CTE connected to 5+ employer partners
  • ✓Named RAMI enrollment pipeline community
  • ✓2x annual Career Expos + Resource Guide live
  • ✓SH 107 expansion underway; transit advocacy active
  • ✓100+ residents engaged, 25+ job placements