County expands Tornillo/Guadalupe port study to fund international outreach to Mexican interior

El Paso County on Aug. 25 approved a first amendment to an interlocal agreement with the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority for the Tornillo‑Guadalupe Port Of Entry study, adding an expanded international marketing component and clarifying funding sources and compliance requirements.

Gracie Martinez of the county’s Economic Development Department said the amendment separates study-development expenses funded by American Rescue Plan Act funds (about $1.1 million) from a marketing component funded from the county general fund (about $284,665.67). The marketing additions focus on outreach in Mexico’s interior so that stakeholders, logistics managers and manufacturers across the border learn about the port’s capacity and routing advantages.

County staff said subcontractors hired by the regional mobility authority and the study team will perform market outreach, but that county staff will provide direction and performance metrics. Roberto Ransom and the department plan trade‑and‑logistics visits, participation in events such as Mexico Now and targeted meetings with logistics managers and chambers in interior Mexican cities to recruit potential users of the port.

Commissioners praised the effort to strengthen Tornillo’s competitive position and approved the amendment and related items. The court also approved a transfer and use of general‑fund dollars (the court approved $1,573.20) to cover transportation expenses for a binational tour and directed staff to create a corresponding account to enable the spending.

Officials said the work aims to shift some southbound commercial flows toward Tornillo and to educate Mexican manufacturers and logistics managers about the port as an alternative crossing route. County staff said preliminary outreach has already produced leads and that the expanded marketing is required to meet federal and local compliance rules for use of ARPA funds versus county funds.