TEXpansion
South Texas – As Texas grows by thousands of new residents each week, businesses and industries are expanding their operations and building new facilities throughout the state. Here is a sampling of recently announced expansions in South Texas and the Gulf Coast.
The Texas Emerging Technology Fund is investing $2.5 million in San Antonio company Speer Medical Devices to support development of its point-of-injury trauma care technology in conjunction with UT Health Science Center in Houston. The lightweight, vital sign monitor uses non-invasive measurements to track eight vital signs and can be deployed in the field by military medics.
A new $30 million mixed-used development will be built by NRP Group and Balfour Beatty Capital at San Antonio College, part of the Alamo Colleges. The development will include 215 student-housing units, a 1,000-car parking garage and 27,000 square feet of commercial leasing space.
The Port of Corpus Christi has received a $58.5 million federal allocation to match $15 million in local funds set aside to extend the ship channel for the La Quinta Trade Gateway. Channel dredging is the first step in the project,
which includes a multipurpose dock and container facility. It is expected to cost more than $400 million.
In May, Weslaco’s Mid Valley Airport welcomed its first international flight from Mexico. The Economic Development Corporation of Weslaco invested $800,000 for a “landing rights” customs processing center. Inspectors from the Progreso and Donna-Rio Bravo international bridges will be on call to check incoming planes. A runway expansion is planned for 2012.
For more information, visit the Office of the Governor Economic Development and Tourism Division or Texas A&M University’s Real Estate Center. TR
Mentoring Program Helps Texas
HUBs Grow their Business
The Texas Education Agency fosters the growth of more than 4.7 million Texas public school students. At the same time, its HUB Mentor/Protégé program helps grow historically underutilized businesses in Texas. Mentor businesses can help smaller companies develop business plans, seek financing, cost estimates and organize operations effectively.
Multinational publisher Pearson has built a solid working relationship with Texas-based Farace Design Group, (owner Carolyn Farace pictured right) which has helped Pearson design proposals and develop tests. The partnership has helped Farace, a visual design communications and publishing services firm, grow from one to 10 employees and increase its services.
Learn more about the Pearson and Farace partnership.