Aleman: Cameron County’s partnership with VTX1 will boost economic development
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Economic development specialist Ramiro Aleman says the new partnership signed by Cameron County and VTX1 will help his efforts to bring new business to the county.
Aleman is director of Cameron County’s recently created economic development division.
He was present at the county courthouse when Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño and VTX1 CEO Patrick McDonnell signed an MOU to bridge the digital divide that exists in the county by expanding broadband services.
In an exclusive interview at the event, Aleman told the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service that the new partnership will make his job easier.
“One of the main things that a company asks for when they are choosing a location is, what’s the connectivity, the internet connectivity. That’s definitely one of the amenities that they look for when they’re looking for a location,” Aleman said.
“If you don’t have connectivity, your your chances of landing a big company are low. So this new partnership between the county and VTX1 is definitely a great boost for me as I work to attract new business, especially in the rural areas that usually don’t have a lot of promotion regarding economic development and do not have broadband.”
Aleman said the larger communities in Cameron County are pretty well served for broadband. He said he is more concerned about the rural areas.
“Everybody knows about the Brownsville, Harlingen and San Benito, all along the I-69 East corridor. But, the smaller communities have a lot to offer too. And so with this new initiative, getting those communities connected, it’s going to be a major, major step in helping to bring economic development to those rural areas.”
Asked how he is settling into his new role, Aleman said: “It is going very well. We’ve got several companies that are looking at coming to the county. So, we’re helping out with tax abatements, with different types of programs that the county has available.”
Aleman added: “Initially, I was just kind of getting up to speed with everything that’s already happening, the economic development projects the county is already doing. And, making sure nothing falls through the cracks. But now, we’re going to start doing a lot more promotion, here in the future. A lot more marketing. You’ll see us out there more.”
Why Cameron County choose VTX1 as its partner – Part One
At the signing ceremony, Cameron County leaders were asked why those chose to partner with VTX1 rather than another internet service provider. The other ISPs that made a bid for the project were AT&T, Charter Communications, and SmartCom.
In answer to that question – why partner with VTX1 – Cameron County Commissioner David Garza said: “The key attribute was that VTX1 was willing to sit down and work with the county and allow us to put a system in place for broadband service in Cameron County that involved Cameron County having to spend zero tax dollars. That was one of the main attributes, besides the reputation VTX1 brings to the table.”
Editor’s Note: Here is an in-depth audio interview with Cameron County Commissioner David Garza about the new Cameron County-VTX1 partnership. It is conducted by Ron Whitlock, of Ron Whitlock Reports.
Why Cameron County choose VTX1 as its partner – Part Two
At the signing ceremony, Cameron County leaders were asked why those chose to partner with VTX1 rather than another internet service provider. The other ISPs that made a bid for the project were AT&T, Charter Communications, and SmartCom.
In answer that question – why partner with VTX1 – Cameron County Judge Treviño said: “I think the one of the overriding factors was the fact that they (VTX1) were not requesting nor requiring that the county foot the bill. Some of the other proposals we looked at wanted quite a bit of money from the county. Not that that was the only determining factor.”
Another reason, Treviño said, was the fact that VTX1 is a local cooperative, based in Raymondville.
“They have been very aggressive in helping to provide services for those most underserved areas. I mean, they’re based in Willacy and they’re having good success. And I know that they’re utilizing up to date technology. So to us, it just made it made sense (to choose VTX1).”
Editor’s Note: Here is an in-depth audio interview with Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño about the new Cameron County-VTX1 partnership. It is conducted by Rio Grande Guardian editor Steve Taylor.
Video highlights
Judge Treviño spoke from the podium at the signing ceremony. Here is a video recording of his remarks:
VTX1 Chairman of the Board Adalberto Garza spoke at the signing ceremony. Here is a video recording of his remarks:
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