News
APR 29, 2026
U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) met today with El Paso Chamber of Commerce leadership to discuss ensuring the Bridge of the Americas remains open for commercial use, which is crucial for trade between the United States and Mexico.
APR 2, 2026
Dated November 4, 2024, a sharply worded letter to the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) brought together influential business leaders from both the United States and Mexico to challenge a controversial federal recommendation affecting cross-border trade. The letter was signed by Glenn Hamer, former President and CEO of the Texas Association of Business; John Esparza, President and CEO of the Texas Trucking Association; Alejandro Malagón, President of the Confederación de Cámaras Industriales de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos; and Miguel Ángel Martínez, President of the Cámara Nacional de Autotransporte de Carga. Representing industries that depend on the efficient movement of goods across the border, these leaders voiced alarm over the proposed removal of commercial traffic from the Bridge of the Americas (BOTA), a critical artery connecting El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.
SEP 10, 2025
Ricardo Mora, CEO and President of the El Paso Chamber, marks his first year on the job with a focus on job growth and economic expansion in the El Paso area.
Mora’s vision for El Paso includes a united and forward-thinking city that cherishes its cross-border roots. He advocates for automation in cross-border trade and hopes for the return of a trolley service between El Paso and Ciudad Juárez.
“I envision a city that is united on many fronts. I envision a city that is forward thinking that wants to grow and continue to expand,” said Mora. “I would envision a city that really holds dearly to our roots of being a cross-border city. Hopefully one day the trolley can cross back into Ciudad Juárez and come back. On the trade side, I envision a city that is automated and can bring cross-border trade back-and-forth with with high-tech equipment that can allow us to have many ports. We want to continue to trade with our trading partner in Mexico.”
AUG 14, 2025
A new initiative is allocating $2 million to train hundreds of people to start a career in health, IT, construction and manufacturing industries.
On Thursday, at the "State of Education & Workforce" event, the Workforce Solutions Borderplex CEO Leila Melendez announced the launch of NEWForce (Next Era Workforce), a program that will fund paid apprenticeships to 200 people.
"NEWForce is about preparing our region for the jobs of today and tomorrow," said Meléndez. "This investment is a win- win as it helps residents gain real-world experience while employers build a skilled talent pipeline to address staffing needs."
JUL 3, 2025
The El Paso Chamber of Commerce announced a $150 million state allocation for Phase 3 of the Borderland Expressway, according to the news release sent on Thursday afternoon, July 3.
The allocation from the Draft 2026 Unified Transportation Program is a “significant step forward for mobility, trade and economic development in our region,” according to the news release.
According to the El Paso Chamber, the new State Spur 320, to be called the Borderland Expressway, will reduce congestion, improve trade efficiency and provide a new route for commercial and passenger vehicles around El Paso.
JUL 1, 2025
The design of the proposed deck plaza that would cap a portion of Interstate 10 in Downtown El Paso got a $1 million boost Monday after the County Commissioners Court voted to contribute leftover funds from previously approved debt.
After nearly two hours of heated debate, commissioners voted 3-2 to allocate money from the $59 million certificate of obligation bond the county issued in early 2023 to fund a wide range of public infrastructure projects.
Unlike the $155 million in general obligation bonds voters approved in November for various county projects, certificates of obligation don’t require voter approval.
One sewer-related project that was expected to cost roughly $6 million came in well under-budget, according to County Administrator Betsy Keller. As a result, the county has just over $1 million available from the proceeds of that bond to allocate to the deck park.
JUN 26, 2025
Great cities are shaped by bold, visionary ideas, and they succeed when public, private, and nonprofit leaders come together to bring those ideas to life.
The Deck Plaza gives us the opportunity to reclaim valuable space over I-10, stimulate economic growth, and create a signature urban park for residents and visitors alike. We’re grateful for the growing collaboration among federal, state, and local leaders – and for the support of public and private stakeholders.
JUN 8, 2025
From a town in Poland, Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor spoke virtually to a crowd at the Fort Bliss Centennial Banquet and Conference Center about the U.S. Army’s commitment to the NATO alliance and Ukraine.
At the 2025 State of the Military Wednesday, Taylor, the commander of Fort Bliss and the 1st Armored Division, said he and 6,100 soldiers have deployed from the Army post to Estonia, Bulgaria and other places along the Russian border.
The State of the Military, hosted by the El Paso Chamber, was held days after Ukraine unleashed more than 110 drones on June 1 in an unprecedented attack that targeted Russia’s nuclear-capable long-range bombers.
MAR 7, 2025
Mayor Renard Johnson gave his first State of the City address at the El Paso convention center — and, in a new twist, he shared the spotlight with the eight other City Council members.
The newly elected mayor took the stage for the "fireside chat" as the 1980 song "Celebration" by Kool & the Gang blasted from the speakers Thursday, March 6.
The event coincides with his 60th day in office.
MAR 6, 2025
El Pasoans can get the feeling of skydiving indoors once again.
On Wednesday, at 430 Vin Rambla, iFly CEO Matthew Ryan joined city Rep. Chris Canales and El Paso Chamber CEO Ricardo Mora to cut the ribbon to celebrate the reopening of the indoor skydiving venue.
After the ceremony, Canales, Mora, Ryan and other officials donned iFly branded jumpsuits and helmets and took turns in the vertical tunnel that propelled them into the air.
MAR 2, 2025
With gifts in hand, a group of El Pasoans spent a couple of days in Austin meeting with the state’s legislators and department heads.
The El Paso Chamber this month wrapped up its El Paso Days in Austin initiative, where about 110 El Pasoans from the business, nonprofit and public sectors head to the state capital to advocate for issues affecting the region.
Manny Rodriguez, government affairs manager at the El Paso Chamber, said the chamber set up 24 meetings with state legislators, department heads and top aides and focused on several issues, including aerospace, health care, transportation, military and veterans affairs, workforce development and sustainability.
FEB 24, 2025
As Ricardo Mora rounds out the first six months of his tenure as El Paso Chamber CEO, the binational entrepreneur has big plans for the organization.
He took the reins of the El Paso Chamber last year, leading the business group as it marches on past its 125th anniversary.
Mora said his cross-border business experience has prepared him for the role.
“Companies here are mostly cross-border. They have either offices in Juárez or El Paso, and they cross every day,” Mora said. “I think it was meant to be because that kind of led me into what I’m doing now, which I feel very comfortable in.”
FEB 19, 2025
En el marco de “El Paso Days in Austin,” una delegación encabezada por Ricardo Mora, representante de la Cámara de Comercio de El Paso, presentó ante legisladores y líderes empresariales de Texas una agenda clara y ambiciosa: transformar a la región fronteriza en el motor de crecimiento más importante del estado. Este encuentro, que también contó con la presencia de la secretaria de Estado de Texas, Jane Nelson, el senador estatal César Blanco, y otros líderes destacados, reafirmó el rol crucial de Texas como líder en relaciones comerciales con México bajo el Tratado de Libre Comercio.
FEB 16, 2025
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – As first reported in the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service, the Texas Association of Business has launched Texas Leads Trade, a coalition uniting business leaders to strengthen North America’s economic ties.
Among the members of the new coalition from South Texas are Brownsville Chamber of Commerce, CIL, IBC Bank, Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Rio Grande Valley Partnership, San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Mission-based Texas International Produce Association, and United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, and the El Paso Chamber.
“As the top exporting state for 23 consecutive years, Texas thrives on robust trade relationships that fuel job creation, economic growth, and global competitiveness,” said TAB President & CEO Glenn Hamer. “Through Texas Leads Trade, we are bringing together industry leaders to safeguard and expand these vital partnerships.”
FEB 13, 2025
AUSTIN – With the Texas Legislature’s 89th regular session underway, state Sen. César Blanco, D-El Paso, said he intends to use a quartet of new committee assignments to tackle key issues for El Paso and West Texas, including expanding child care access, easing restrictions on nurses to improve health care availability and boosting economic growth.
Blanco, who has served as a state senator since 2021, said his four new committee assignments include Business and Commerce; Health and Human Services; Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs; and Natural Resources and Economic Development.
Manuel Rodriguez, government affairs manager for the El Paso Chamber, said Blanco’s role on the committee will be instrumental in advocating for economic growth and job creation.
FEB 4, 2025
El Paso Chamber urges policymakers to pursue solutions that strengthen our trading relationships, rather than policies that create barriers to economic growth. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) has fostered innovation, job creation, and regional competitiveness for decades. Policies that threaten this progress undermine not just economic prosperity but also the trust and cooperation that have made North America a global trade leader.
El Paso Chamber urges policymakers to pursue solutions that strengthen our trading relationships, rather than policies that create barriers to economic growth. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) has fostered innovation, job creation, and regional competitiveness for decades. Policies that threaten this progress undermine not just economic prosperity but also the trust and cooperation that have made North America a global trade leader.
DEC 13, 2023
The U.S. General Services Administration will be hosting a public meeting with an update on the proposed details for the plan to expand the Bridge of America's port of entry.
In August of this year, the El Paso Chamber proposed a new solution to the Bridge of the Americas land port of entry modernization and expansion project.
The U.S. GSA plans to finalize its plans and is working in collaboration with the office of Congresswoman Veronica Escobar.
The project would cost $600 million for the expansion and it would be made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.