The EDC of Weslaco’s groundbreaking ceremony event was met with a surprising announcement as Glazer’s Beer & Beverage representatives revealed their company plans to move its entire operation to the new Mid Valley International Industrial Park, the city’s largest expansion acquisition in over 15 years.
Glazer’s Beer & Beverage (GBB), a wholesale alcoholic beverage distribution company with seven locations in Texas, two in Arkansas, and one in Louisiana, formally announced its company plans to build a 250,000 sq. ft. temperature-controlled distribution center in Weslaco and bring with them nearly 200 jobs. EDC officials say the company’s move to Weslaco secures a promising future for the region’s newest centrally located industrial park.
“If this were about catching a big fish,” says Steven Valdez, Executive Director for the EDC in Weslaco, “we just landed a whale!” Valdez served as emcee for the event and made the comment immediately after Glazer’s surprise announcement during Mayor David Suarez’ welcome speech to over 140 event guests.
The company will have the largest footprint within the 122 buildable acre site taking up 25 acres or roughly 20 percent of the entire development.
“This is monumental for us.” says EDCW Board President, Benita R. Valadez, “The opening of our new industrial park with Glazer’s as our anchor tenant is putting our city in the best possible position to compete in this global economy.”
Valadez and EDCW Vice President, Juan J. “J.J.” Serrano were guest speakers at the event on Friday.
“Weslaco is now being noticed as a strategic location to offer services and/or distribute product in our Region,” says Serrano. “We have amazing organizations already here in Weslaco such as the Border Patrol, Texas DPS, Texas National Guard, CiL, Kapal, Johnson Controls, Image First, CASTICO, Clever Foods, several cold storage companies like ColiMex and Robinson Fresh, the H-E-B Distribution Center, and many others that have made Weslaco their home. The Mid Valley International Industrial Park will allow many others to do the same. We aren’t just creating jobs here…we’re creating CAREERS.”
The EDC of Weslaco (EDCW) also reports a second international distribution company currently under contract bringing an estimated 140 jobs and investing over $10M in site improvements on another 10-acre tract in the park. The EDCW is not at liberty to announce the name of the company yet, but says the brand is globally recognized. Both companies highlighted in blue in the related picture plan to start construction by the end of this year 2022. Areas highlighted in yellow represent letters of intent submitted to the EDCW from companies asking that spaces be reserved for their business plans.
EDCW executive director says that the timing of Weslaco’s second industrial park is relative to a “reshoring mindset” where companies are coming back to the United States and investing in the “Made in America” model rather than supporting global political disruptions. “I also see our region growing as a whole,” says Valdez, “and a centralized location means companies can service their customers more efficiently and effectively.”
The importance of timing also coincides with the expansion of the two additional commercial lanes at the Progreso Bridge to be completed by mid-year 2023 and similar plans for the Donna International Bridge. “We really are in a good place,” says the City of Weslaco’s Mayor David Suarez. “We’re growing on all four economic indicators. Our schools are growing, we see new subdivisions coming, several commercial developments along the expressway are under construction, and now our second industrial park. We are true to our motto, the ‘City on the Grow,’ so we invite businesses to come and grow with us and make Weslaco your home.”
For more information, contact the Economic Development Corporation of Weslaco at 956-969-0838. EDC staff encourages in person meetings and appointments at 275. S. Kansas Ave. in Weslaco.
