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At the center of the primary trade route connecting Canada, the United States, and Mexico, and the gateway to Mexico’s burgeoning industrial complex, Laredo and Nuevo Laredo offer markets, business opportunities, and profit potential which business and industry simply cannot find anywhere else.

Known locally as Los Dos Laredos, Laredo and Nuevo Laredo are actually one city divided only by the Rio Grande. Originally settled by the Spaniards in 1755, Laredo/Nuevo Laredo became the first “official” Port of Entry on the U.S./Mexico border in 1851. Now, the Laredo Customs District handles more trade than the ports of Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, and West Texas combined.

Laredo is the only U.S./Mexico border city strategically positioned at the convergence of all land transportation systems. Mexico’s principal highway and railroad leading from Central America through Mexico City, Saltillo, and Monterrey, the industrial heart of Mexico, converge at Laredo to meet two major U.S. rail lines, Interstate 35 and other roads which fan outwards to the urban centers and seaports of Texas and beyond to Northern States and Canadian Provinces including Illinois, Michigan, New York, and Ontario.

For the last several years, Mexico’s economic reforms increased U.S./Mexico trade and cross-border production sharing combined to spur Laredo’s growth as never before. As the fastest growing city east of the Rocky Mountains and the most competitive USMCA crossing, Laredo’s bright economic future is vibrant.

The Laredo Economic Development Corporation (formerly LDF), is a private non-profit corporation dedicated to the economic and industrial development of Laredo, Texas.  The LEDC serves as the primary private sector point of contact providing assistance to new and expanding business prospects.  They promote and market Laredo, Webb County, and sister city of Nuevo Laredo as a dynamic region for global trade and market opportunities for targeted industries.  The LEDC provides community data and economic indicators for business prospects and investors, site selection services, assistance with and screening for incentives from the City, County, and State, and research information requested by clients.