dpLocal leaders see new opportunities despite the manufacturing plant going to San Antonio.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The announcement that Toyota will invest $3.6 billion to add a second assembly line at its San Antonio manufacturing plant is generating excitement across South Texas and renewing questions about what it could mean for Corpus Christi’s economic future.
While the new assembly line will be built in San Antonio, local economic development leaders believe the expansion could create opportunities for suppliers and related industries throughout the region.
Aaron Bowman, president and CEO of the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation, said one potential opportunity depends on the future of a proposed container terminal at the Port of Corpus Christi.
“If we get the container Port that will be what’s called a roll-on roll-off, that’s a ro, ro, and that’s how you get cars on and off ships,” Bowman said.
Bowman said the region continues to attract interest from companies looking to expand in South Texas. According to the CCREDC, the organization has helped attract about $65 billion in capital investment over the past 15 years.
He said the pace has continued this year.
“To date this year, we have already responded to 68 different companies that are looking at potential expansion. Maybe not just Corpus Christi region, but Texas south,” Bowman said.
While economic development officials continue recruiting new businesses that don’t require much water, Corpus Christi City Councilwoman Carolyn Vaughn said she wants the City Council to receive more regular updates on those efforts.
Vaughn said she plans to meet with Bowman to discuss active recruitment projects and future opportunities. She also wants the CCREDC to provide quarterly briefings to the City Council.
Among the businesses she believes could benefit the community is Costco.
“To me Costco is such a real possibility. And we need things that are entertainment for our young people so there are lots of options so he just needs to come and tell us what he’s looking at,” Vaughn said.
Vaughn also said a unified City Council is important when competing for major economic development projects.
“If we get our Council together and get some leadership in there that matters too because you look at that when you come to a city. So, you need to have a City Council that’s cohesive and they work together. We haven’t had that because we haven’t had leadership” she said.
As Toyota’s expansion moves forward in San Antonio, local leaders say Corpus Christi’s success will depend on continuing to recruit new investment while positioning the region to capitalize on future supply chain and port-related opportunities.
