Co-authored by Leonie Zapata, Economic Recovery Corps Fellow and Adriana Pulecio, International Business & Trade Development Manager, City of El Paso, Texas
El Paso’s economic ecosystem sits at a distinct crossroads where international affairs, innovation and cross-border collaboration meet. Anchored by its connection with neighboring Juárez, Mexico, the region is evolving into a binational corridor, leveraging shared geography and assets to redefine what cross-border economic growth can look like.
National League of Cities’ Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (EED) team spent several days in El Paso to get firsthand experience of the economic landscape and learn how the city is working with partners on both sides of the border to attract investment and strengthen its advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense sectors. Through its role as a host organization in the EDA-funded Economic Recovery Corps (ERC), which places mid-career economic development Fellows in 65 host communities nationwide, El Paso is one of the communities NLC supports as they expand local capacity.
Spearheaded by El Paso’s Economic and International Development Department, in partnership with the Strategic and Legislative Affairs department, the city is advancing a robust International Policy Agenda (PDF) designed to strengthen its role as a binational region. The host project team — led by Adriana Pulecio, International Business and Trade Development Manager; Israel Alvarado, Senior Economic Development Analyst; and Omar Martinez, Assistant Director for Strategic and Legislative Affairs — welcomed Economic Recovery Corps Fellow Leonie Zapata to elevate strategies that support the city’s international priorities.
Inside El Paso’s Push for Binational Progress
At the outset of the visit, the host team emphasized that understanding the regional impact of collaboration between Juárez and El Paso begins at one of its most critical connectors: the Ysleta–Zaragoza Bridge. The port of entry functions as a coordinated system, with a streamlined traffic pattern and two dedicated lanes that enhance both efficiency and security. The E-Fast Pass system further facilitates the flow of commercial and passenger vehicles, which is essential considering roughly 60 percent of crossings are commercial. As a key element of the city’s International Policy Agenda, the Ysleta International Port of Entry links Juárez’s manufacturing plants to U.S. distribution centers and consumer markets. In 2024 alone, more than $145 billion in U.S.–Mexico trade passed through El Paso, with $84 billion crossing the Ysleta–Zaragoza.
Building on that foundation, the host team provided a direct look at how this strategy translates into policy by briefing the El Paso City Council on the status of the International Policy Agenda. During the meeting, the team outlined a pending MOU that would expand trade and investment opportunities through collaboration with the Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce, Services, and Tourism of the United Mexican States (CONCANACO SERVYTUR México). This presentation set the stage for a deeper exploration of the ecosystem that drives the city’s international trade initiatives and its broader binational economic strategy.
For cities interested in exploring El Paso’s approach to binational collaboration, Building a Municipal Government International Governance Framework – the El Paso Model Case Study (PDF), offers a detailed look at how the city has structured and sustained these cross-border partnerships.
Innovation Opens Doors
The EED team also attended a meeting of the International Affairs Committee, which Pulecio leads. The committee highlighted several developments, including progress on the West Texas Aerospace and Defense Manufacturing Coalition’s implementation of its $40 million Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) grant. The funding is strengthening the region’s aerospace and defense manufacturing base and helping local small and medium-sized manufacturers connect to national supply chains.
Through this award, the city received $25 million to establish the state-of-the-art Advanced Manufacturing District at the El Paso International Airport, a dedicated space where entrepreneurs, startups and manufacturers can access airport-based technologies that meet the U.S. Department of Defense security requirements. The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and the City of El Paso are also co-managing an additional $15 million from BBBRC to support programming, supplier readiness and technical assistance to help local companies compete for advanced-industry contracts.
The visit also included a closer look at how these investments take shape on the ground. At the airport, the team toured the Innovation Factory, a collaborative initiative led by the city of El Paso, the El Paso International Airport and UTEP. Designed to stimulate economic growth and job creation, the Innovation Factory supports early-stage manufacturing technology businesses in aerospace, defense and advanced manufacturing. Initially a 30,000-square-foot facility funded through $3 million in federal grants, the program has since expanded due to strong demand, offering businesses space, incentives and business development support.
During the tour, the EED team met with several of the Innovation Factory’s pioneering companies, including:
- Ferveret, which develops nuclear power-inspired liquid cooling technology for crypto mining farms, data centers and AI infrastructures.
- Infinite Elements, an alternative metal refining company that lowers the cost of metal reclamation.
- AconityUS Inc., a leading provider of advanced metal 3D printing and design engineering services for advanced manufacturing.
El Paso’s Next Chapter
Rounding out the visit, the EED team met with Mirella Tamayo, Assistant Director of the Business One-Stop Shop (BOSS) Program. Housed within the Economic and International Development Department’s Small Business Assistance division, the BOSS Program plays a pivotal role in supporting small businesses by offering essential services, from guidance on permits and licenses to access to capital.
Throughout the visit, a recurring theme emerged: El Paso’s strategic use of anchor locations to catalyze economic growth. Much like the Innovation Factory and the forthcoming Advanced Manufacturing District, the BOSS Program will soon relocate its headquarters to El Paso International Airport. This move not only aligns with the city’s broader vision for economic activity but also enhances accessibility for entrepreneurs seeking streamlined support as they launch and expand their businesses.
El Paso’s collaborative mindset, including contributions from Fellows like Zapata, demonstrates how targeted partnerships can accelerate progress on major economic priorities. The city continues to position itself as a leader in innovation by using unique approaches and local assets to strengthen its aerospace sector, expand international trade and advance next-generation manufacturing.
These efforts, which range from major defense contracts to a rising cohort of local innovators, are creating new opportunities across the city. The groundbreaking of the Advanced Manufacturing District (PDF) on May 6, 2026, marks an important milestone — not just for the project, but for the city’s broader economic vision. As these investments continue to take shape, El Paso is building a more resilient, innovation-driven economy that expands opportunity for local businesses and residents alike while positioning the region for sustained, long-term growth.
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