Tamaulipas announces $221M in new investment, factory expansions

Industrial expansion is accelerating across Tamaulipas, with $221 million in new projects and 1,485 jobs tied to activity that signals nearshoring is moving into a phase of real growth.

During an appearance before the Tamaulipas state congress, Tamaulipas Economy Secretary Ninfa Cantú Deandar said the state’s growth is being driven by infrastructure, business confidence, and sustained cross-border trade.

“The economy of Tamaulipas is doing well and will continue to improve — even amid a complex and challenging global environment,” she said.

Investment moves into execution

The projects span key cities including Reynosa, Matamoros, Altamira, Tampico, and Nuevo Laredo, with activity across manufacturing, logistics, and energy.

Projects span logistics, energy, and manufacturing, including operations linked to Amazon in Altamira, energy investments from Cubico Sustainable Investments, expansions by Howard Industries in Matamoros, and manufacturing investments from companies such as KASCO and Fisher Dynamics.

The mix of projects reflects both industrial expansion and the infrastructure needed to support it.

That expansion will increase Howard Industries’ footprint from 600,000 to 800,000 square feet at Parque Industrial Las Ventanas.

Officials also pointed to larger-scale projects, including Woodside Energy’s $10.4 billion development, the largest in the state’s recent history, as evidence of continued investment momentum.

“It’s no longer just announcements — we are seeing tangible results,” said Grecia Zertuche, director of the Matamoros Economic Development Council (CODEM).

Zertuche said the trend has evolved from relocation announcements to plant expansions, supplier integration, and long-term infrastructure-driven decisions.

Matamoros moves into execution phase

In Matamoros, nearshoring activity is moving beyond announcements and into expansion.

Howard Industries is increasing its footprint from 600,000 to 800,000 square feet, one of the most significant recent industrial expansions in the city. Other projects across logistics, energy, and manufacturing are also moving forward, reinforcing the region’s role in North American supply chains.

Zertuche said the shift reflects a broader change in how companies are approaching Mexico.

“During the past few years, we saw relocation announcements,” she said. “Now we’re seeing plant expansions, supplier integration, and strategic decisions based on infrastructure.”

Matamoros’ position along the U.S. border — with four international crossings and access to the Port of Brownsville and the reactivated Port of Matamoros — continues to support that growth, particularly as companies prioritize proximity, logistics, and established industrial capacity.

Energy and infrastructure shape investment decisions

Industry leaders said site selection is increasingly driven by energy and infrastructure capacity, as large-scale industrial users place greater demands on regional systems.

“Investment decisions no longer depend solely on land or labor, but on the availability of energy, water, and reliable logistics infrastructure,” Zertuche said.

Industrial developments in the region are operating with capacities of up to 16,000 KVA, reflecting the growing energy demands of advanced manufacturing.

Border trade underscores economic scale

Tamaulipas’ logistics role is reflected not only in trade volume, but in customs revenue tied to international commerce.

According to Mexico’s National Customs Agency, border crossings generated more than $3.2 billion in revenue in February, representing 81.1% of total northern border collections.

Nuevo Laredo ranked as the top customs port in Mexico, generating about $1.79 billion, or 45.4% of total border revenue.

Reynosa and Matamoros also ranked among the country’s top-performing crossings.

The figures highlight Tamaulipas’ role as a key collection point for federal revenue tied to trade, including VAT, tariffs, and customs duties.

Highway trade through Nuevo Laredo and Reynosa reached $235.6 billion, accounting for 42% of Mexico’s total and growing 3.6% year over year.

The state recorded $27.8 billion in exports, ranking as Mexico’s sixth-largest exporting state, according to INEGI.

Infrastructure builds long-term capacity

State officials said ongoing infrastructure projects are aimed at sustaining growth, including expansions at international bridges in Reynosa and Nuevo Laredo, development of an inland port in Ciudad Victoria, and continued industrial buildout in Altamira.

The Port of Matamoros, which resumed operations after more than two decades, is undergoing dredging, certification, and commercial development.

“This is no longer an idea — it is now a reality of growth,” Cantú Deandar said.