Historic Laredo

The Laredo Development Foundation,
incorporated in 1966, serves Laredo, Webb
County, Texas and Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. It is
a private, non-profit corporation funded and
governed by local business and civic leaders
dedicated to the area’s continued economic
development. LDF’s primary responsibility is
to help create jobs.
With early encouragement by Carlton
Whitworth of Central Power & Light, Max
Mandel of Laredo National Bank, Honore
Ligarde of International Bank of Commerce,
and Byron Miller of Union National Bank
decided that the private sector could help
the area create jobs. In 1966, along with
Laredo businessmen Robert Freeman, Tom
Herring, J. C. Martin, Jr., G. R. Peck, Robert
Pratt, J. J. Richter, Roberto Benavides, J. W.
Kramer, Robert Trautmann, and W. L. Webber,
they created LDF. Under the leadership of
its 13 founders and 18 board presidents, LDF
has worked hard for Laredo and Nuevo Laredo,
establishing a proud record of integrity, performance,
and service.
Completely reorganized in 1980, LDF
became a full-time, professionally staffed organization
with city and county funding as well as
private sector support. The organization has
become heavily involved in attracting new
industry, helping local businesses start up and
expand, preparing economic studies to support
local project priorities and conducting an outreach
program on environmental awareness and
hazmat accident prevention.
LDF activities are structured under four
operating divisions and one internal division:
industrial attraction, small business development,
environmental protection, special projects
and administration.
Since its inception, LDF has helped create
over 11,000 new Laredo jobs in a variety of
businesses, including manufacturing, trade,
transportation, distribution, and retail. In addition,
over 20,000 jobs have been created in
Nuevo Laredo maquiladora plants. These 100
plants have 25 twin plant operations in Laredo,
accounting for 3,000 jobs. Very few Laredo
business location decisions are made without
LDF data and assistance.
Recent census data shows Laredo as the
fastest growing city in Texas and second fastest
in the nation. Economic indicators show that
the economy is more than keeping up with
population growth. Employment levels, new
business starts and new housing starts continue
to increase as unemployment decreases.
Since 1990, LDF’s Small Business Development
Division has operated a Small Business
Administration-sponsored development center
to provide counseling and management
training assistance to new business ventures.
The center’s success has been remarkable,
whereas 250 center clients have obtained
$75 million in SBA-guaranteed loans for new
businesses with 5,000 new jobs created
for Laredo.
LDF is considered by industry professionals
to be the best team of economic developers on
the border. Foundation administration has
been able to recruit and train highly motivated,
hard working professionals who believe in
what they do. All LDF staff members are
trained in their respective specialties and are
cross-trained to assist with other activities.
Courses required for LDF staff include industrial
location theory, business retention and
expansion, project financing, prospect handling,
land use, real estate principles, foreign
trade zones, targeting techniques, international
trade, business plans, economic impact
analysis, and transportation and labor issues,
among others.
LAREDO
DEVELOPMENT
FOUNDATION
✧
Front row (from left to right): Araceli
E. Lozano, John A. Adams, Jr., and
Isabel Salazar. Back row: Gladys
Rangel, Laura Cantu, Yvette Medina,
Lily Torres, and Rena Villa.
Sharing the Heritage ✦ 111