Where Texas, New Mexico & Mexico Intersect
The Borderplex is one of the most unique and economically dynamic regions in North America. Spanning El Paso, Texas, Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, and Las Cruces / Southern New Mexico, this integrated cross-border market operates as a single metropolitan ecosystem, binational, bilingual, and deeply connected through logistics, workforce, manufacturing, and culture.
For companies evaluating expansion or relocation, the Borderplex offers a rare combination: global trade infrastructure, a young and skilled labor force, cost efficiency, and the scale of a major manufacturing and logistics hub, all in one place.
Sonny Brown Associates has worked in this region for decades. Our on-the-ground experience allows us to help clients understand not just the data, but the context, including how cross-border dynamics influence demand, supply chain decisions, site selection, and long-term growth.
A Tri-City Region That Functions as a Single Economic Engine
While the Borderplex contains three distinct cities, business operates here as if within a single metropolitan area. Labor, goods, supply chains, and corporate operations flow continuously across both sides of the border.
Integrated Talent Pool
- One of North America’s largest bilingual, bicultural workforces
- Young population base that strengthens long-term labor availability
- Strong ties between higher education, workforce training institutions, and industry
- Deep pool of talent in advanced manufacturing, logistics, defense, and business services
Complementary Strengths
- Ciudad Juárez anchors the region’s global manufacturing output
- El Paso provides logistics, distribution, engineering, and administrative support
- Las Cruces & Santa Teresa add research institutions, industrial growth corridors, and intermodal logistics
These cities do not compete, they reinforce one another.
A Top Manufacturing and Logistics Hub in North America
The Borderplex is consistently recognized as one of the most important manufacturing centers on the continent. A mature concentration of maquiladora operations on the Mexico side, paired with advanced logistics and support services on the U.S. side, creates a highly efficient cross-border production ecosystem.
Why Companies Choose the Borderplex
- Binational supply chains with seamless U.S.–Mexico operational integration
- Deep corporate presence from global automotive, electronics, aerospace, medical device, and consumer goods companies
- Large concentration of suppliers and related facilities in El Paso and Las Cruces
- Advanced logistics infrastructure including multiple ports of entry, intermodal facilities, Class I railroads, and regional air cargo connectivity
This is not an emerging market, it is a well-established global hub that continues to scale.
Logistics Connectivity That Reaches the Continent
The region’s multi-modal transport network provides efficient access to major U.S. and Mexican markets, making it a strategic location for distribution, warehousing, and manufacturing support functions.
Cross-Border Infrastructure Advantages
- Multiple high-volume commercial border crossings
- Class I rail connectivity on both sides of the border
- Union Pacific’s intermodal facility in Santa Teresa
- Efficient ground transportation corridors reaching major U.S. metros
- Airports on both sides supporting passenger and cargo operations
For companies dependent on speed, proximity, and cost-effective freight, the Borderplex often becomes the preferred location.
Cost Efficiency and Business-Friendly Environment
The Borderplex offers competitive advantages that reduce the total cost of doing business compared to other U.S. metros:
- Efficient industrial real estate options
- Favorable operating costs for office, industrial, and logistics users
- Stable business climate with consistent growth across key sectors
- Reliable labor pipeline and strong workforce retention
These advantages make the region attractive not only for large manufacturers, but also for distribution centers, service providers, back-office operations, and emerging industries.
Lifestyle, Stability, and a Strong Talent Pipeline
Quality of life is a substantial, often underestimated draw for employers seeking to attract and retain talent. Across the region, residents benefit from:
- Affordability relative to most U.S. metros
- A rich cultural environment with deep binational heritage
- Universities, medical schools, and research institutions fueling innovation
- Expansive outdoor recreation, national parks, and year-round sunshine
- Significant military presence contributing to workforce stability and discipline
These factors support both economic performance and long-term regional competitiveness.
Understanding the Region Requires Understanding Its Dynamics
Decisions in Ciudad Juárez affect facility demand in El Paso. Industrial expansions in Santa Teresa influence labor patterns and logistics flows across the entire region. Growth rarely happens in isolation, and each component of the Borderplex reinforces the others.
This interconnected structure is a defining advantage, but also a reason companies seek advisory partners who understand both sides of the border. Our team has shaped this market for decades and offers insights that extend beyond listings and transactions.
