South Texas leaders to gather in Laredo for NAAMREI
An ambitious undertaking to stimulate job growth and other economic development initiatives in Laredo and the region moves forward as officials from the North American Advanced Manufacturing Research and Education Initiative (NAAMREI) gather on Monday, June 8 in the Gateway City.
Leaders from several South Texas communities have been invited to attend a reception for the NAAMREI leadership team on June 8 at 6:30 p.m. at La Posada Hotel.
NAAMREI is a $5 million initiative funded through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development Program. It also is supported via a $3 million Skills Development Fund grant from the Texas Workforce Commission.
Among those involved in the project is Blas Castañeda, chief external affairs/economic development officer for Laredo Community College.
“NAAMREI is looking at ways for communities to work together to spur job creation, and enhance existing jobs through education and training programs,” Castañeda said. “The goal is for NAAMREI to become a major innovator and distribution hub for advanced manufacturing.”
The initiative initially began with the formation of the Rio South Texas Alliance, which consists of seven South Texas counties with unemployment rates that have historically been significantly higher than the state and national averages.
Through the collaborative efforts of state and local governments, educational institutions and business leaders that form the alliance, advanced manufacturing was identified as a way to spur future economic prosperity for the benefit of the region.
The Light Manufacturing Institute at Laredo Community College is one of NAAMREI’s offspring.
The facility, which opened earlier this year, is expected to bring new training opportunities for manufacturing industry, as well as benefits for students and the community.
“The goal of NAAMREI is now to strengthen its partnership with communities beyond the region to include San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Uvalde and other cities from the U.S. and Mexico,” Castañeda said.
The reception also will include the presentation of the first NAAMREI Leadership Award, which will be presented to Dr. Blandina Cardenas, former president of NAAMREI and the University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA) in Edinburg.
Among some of the community and educational leaders who are expected to attend the reception are UTPA Interim President Dr. Charles Sorber, Alamo Community College District Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development Dr. Federico Zaragoza, Texas A&M International University President Dr. Ray Keck, Texas State Technical College-Harlingen President Dr. Cesar Maldonado, Laredo Mayor Raul Salinas, Eagle Pass Mayor Chad Foster, former Texas Workforce Commission Chair Diane Rath, Middle Rio Grande Development Council Executive Director Leodoro Martinez and Wanda Garza of South Texas College.
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