Our region comprising El Paso, Texas, Doña Ana County in New Mexico, and Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, is a burgeoning economic powerhouse with a myriad of opportunities for investors and new businesses. Fort Bliss, one of the largest military installations in the United States, plays a pivotal role as the top employer, contributing significantly to the region's economic stability.
El Paso serves as the cornerstone of this dynamic region. With a strategic location at the intersection of Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico, El Paso boasts a diverse economy driven by sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, and international trade. The city's commitment to fostering business growth is evident through the Advanced Manufacturing industry, which provides valuable resources and support for investors and entrepreneurs.
5TH Largest Manufacturing Hub
373k+ Workforce
300+ Available Manufactures
Fort Bliss, with its extensive military presence, diverse workforce, and various military bases such as White Sands Missile Range and Holloman Air Force Base, help multiply economic growth in the region. These bases create employment opportunities and increase demand for goods and services, benefiting businesses across various sectors.
The W.M. Keck Center at the University of Texas at El Paso serves as a focal point for the advancement of cutting-edge manufacturing technologies. The Advanced Technology Center at El Paso Community College, alongside various other trade schools in the region, diligently equip students with the necessary skills to integrate into the expansive manufacturing workforce of over 373,000 individuals within the El Paso area.
In 2022, El Paso and UTEP led a coalition awarded $40 million to develop a regional advanced manufacturing cluster for aerospace and defense industries. This initiative leverages UTEP’s incubation programs, Fort Bliss, White Sands Missile Range, Holloman AFB, and El Paso's multi-modal port position, aiming to boost the region's advanced manufacturing capabilities.
458,792 – Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim
399,325 – Chicago-Naperville-Elgin
375,447 – San Diego-Carlsbad-Tijuana
333,583 – New York-Newark-Jersey City
319,628 – El Paso-Las Cruces-Juarez
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics;
Statistics Canada; INEGI Note: 2021 average
Located at the El Paso International Airport, the Advanced Manufacturing District connects manufacturers to national and international markets through a robust, multi-modal commercial transportation infrastructure that includes air, rail, road, and ports of entry with Juarez, Mexico. Learn more on how this infrastructure supports the next generation of aerospace and defense manufacturing in West Texas that will offer start-ups and small and medium manufacturers affordable access to the digital and physical infrastructure needed to compete in the aerospace and defense industries.
The West Texas Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing Coalition, which is powered by the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM), serves as a comprehensive resource hub for manufacturers in El Paso, West Texas, and beyond. It provides access to quality suppliers, industry resources, and cutting-edge research to meet the evolving demands of the aerospace and defense sectors. Through this initiative, manufacturers can leverage the advanced research capabilities of UTEP's Aerospace Center and W.M. Keck Center for 3D Innovation, fostering growth and innovation across the region.
The partnership with the City of El Paso's International Airport and Economic & International Development offers manufacturing workspace and support to early-stage, new, and existing manufacturing and technology businesses targeting the aerospace, defense, or other advanced manufacturing markets. The City will offset a portion of the rent and operational costs for manufacturing and technology businesses looking to start or relocate their company to El Paso’s Innovation Factory at the El Paso Airport.
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Doña Ana County in New Mexico enhances El Paso's economy with agriculture, aerospace, and research at New Mexico State University. The Borderplex Region, benefits from this strategic location and connectivity:
Our region offers investors access to a diverse economy, strategic location, and durable infrastructure.
Aerospace & Defense
Economic & International
