Everything Joaquin Spamer said at the groundbreaking ceremony for LakeWay Produce

Rio Grande Guardian's Podcast

PHARR, TEXAS - Pharr Economic Development Corporation President Victor Perez went off script to recognize industrial developer Joaquin Spamer at a groundbreaking ceremony.

The focus was supposed to be on another warehouse developer, Ramon Mery, and later in the proceedings it was. But Perez said he wanted Spamer to come to the podium because he, Perez, is a member of the Hidalgo County Prosperity Task Force and his EDC is supporter of the RioPlex marketing initiative.

Spamer started his speech by praising Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez. He said he was one of the first leaders in the Valley he partnered with. Spamer then went on to talk about “the port of the future.” He was talking about SpaceX.

“The only message that I have is that we have the port of the future because Pharr has a door to outer space and that door is SpaceX. And it is here. But it is not just at Boca Chica it is all over the region, on both sides of the border. What we are calling RioPlex,” Spamer said.

Spamer said RioPlex, a marketing strategy that seeks to promote the Rio Grande Valley and northern Tamaulipas, is not trying to diminish the importance of RGV Partnership.

“On the contrary. RGV Partnership has a mandate to promote the US side, just like COSTEP. The only thing that we're doing with RioPlex is naming the region from Roma-Miguel Aleman to Brownsville-Matamoros, on both sides of the border,” Spamer said. “When you put that region together, we have the port of the future.”

Spamer said he wanted to repeat a story he told the day before. The event was held at Harlingen Convention Center by the Prosperity Task Force and the CEO Group in order to promote RioPlex.

“I was explaining the advantages of the region together: 13 international bridges, led by the Pharr International Bridge, seven airports, four ocean ports. We have (a) 3.5 million population. We have over 100,000 students in college on both sides of the border. So, we have a unique region,” Spamer said.

“But I was explaining this to a friend. We will not name names. And I told him that we have the port of the future. And he said, what is that? (I said) we have SpaceX. (He said) no you don’t. (I said) yes, we do. It is in Boca Chica. But (his friend said) Boca Chica is next to Boca Raton. They actually think it is in Florida. And that just proves how bad of a job we are doing in promoting the region.”

Spamer said the individual cities in the RGV do “a very good job” in promoting themselves.

“And I commend Victor and (Pharr Bridge Director) Luis (Bazan) for what you do for the City of Pharr. And you do a great job. But it's like selling a store inside a mall. At the end of the day, you need to make sure that people come to the mall and that's what we're trying to do with RioPlex,” Spamer said.

“And we are doing it with the private sector, trying to support the local EDOs. Because something that I need to mention is that the EDOs cannot do it themselves. They need the support of local businessmen. And what I want to say is, if you are small businessman or a medium or large businessman, get involved. Get involved with the Chamber of Commerce. Get involved with EDC.”

Editor's Note: To read the full story go to the Rio Grande Guardian website.

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