Business in San Benito

With a nearly 30% increase in population over the past 10 years, the San Benito area offers exceptional opportunities for business development with a young, trainable workforce and quick access to trade and tourism in Mexico.

San Benito, Texas is located in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley, in Deep South Texas, adjacent to Mexico and separated by the Rio Grande River. The community is poised for growth in commerce, tourism and trade. At the center of Cameron County, San Benito is located eight miles from the (NAFTA) Free Trade International Bridge so Mexico at Los Indios, making Cameron County one of the fastest growing areas in the country.

The bridge brings new businesses and stimulates existing commerce, creating a surge of commercial and economic activity. With such close proximity, the area benefits from our southern neighbors’ recreational visits and shopping trips here. According to Cameron Works, the agency charged with overseeing workforce development to employers and job seekers in Cameron County, 22.7 million Mexican Nationals cross the bridge to contribute to the region’s economy, spending more than $1 billion annually.

The latest state sales tax reports show San Benito experienced a 13.90% increase in sales in October 2006, and is up 13.42 % for the current year-to-date. County-wide, sales tax figures were up 9.8 % for October 2006 and up 11.07 % for the current year-to-date.

Tourism

Winter Texans in 2004-2005 accounted for 137,000 annual visitors Valley-wide representing 63,500 households, with an annual economic impact of $420 million.

The average Winter Texan is:

• Married
• 68 years old
• Has an average income of $47,800
• Has 13.9 years of education

The Valley has more than 500 Recreational Vehicle Parks that are home to Winter Visitors from mostly mid-western states, during their 3-5 month stay in the Valley. Other Winter Texans own their winter homes, or rent. Fun N Sun Resort Park in San Benito is home to some 3,000 visitors each year. The park is now undergoing expansion to accommodate additional spaces. (Source: University of Texas-Pan American)

Mexican National visitors account for more than 20 million annual regional crossing with an annual economic impact of more than $1 billion.

The average Mexican National visitor is:

• Married
• 42 years old
• Has an average income of $34,877 pesos
• Employed in retail, professional, business services or education
• From Reynosa, Matamoros or Monterrey
• Spends an average of $5,300/household in the Valley

Mexican Nationals visit the Valley year round for shopping and visiting, but come in the greatest numbers during Holy Week before Easter and during the late summer months. Many have homes in the Valley, and others own or rent vacation homes on South Padre Island or elsewhere. (Source: University of Texas-Pan American)