El Paso

International trade already has made El Paso, Texas, and Juarez, Mexico, the largest international border community in the world, with a combined population of 1.6 million. Juarez's 320 maquilas translate into an estimated $1 billion annual boost to El Paso, where more than $500 million in infrastructure and transportation improvements are now under way or in the planning stage.

"The economy of El Paso and Juarez is one of the most promising economies at this time because of the booming maquila industry in Juarez and the all of the supporting services it demands from both sides of the border," said Monica Contreras, marketing manager for American Industries International. "This area has been able to survive economic recession not only in Mexico, but also in the United States," Contreras said.

Tom Fullerton, an economics professor at the University of Texas at El Paso, said a strong warehousing/distribution network is emerging in El Paso. The city has profited from the advanced training provided by its higher education institutions, he added. El Paso is home to the Institute for Manufacturing and Materials Management at the University of Texas at El Paso and an Advanced Technology Center at El Paso Community College.

-- Renee Haines is a free-lance writer based in San Antonio.

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