El Paso County sits at the westernmost tip of Texas on the U.S.-Mexico border. Home to El Paso, the sixth-largest city in Texas, the county has a unique economic profile driven by international trade, manufacturing, military installations, and a bilingual workforce. El Paso County businesses have access to a distinctive set of programs that leverage border economics, trade relationships, and federal funding streams.
This guide covers the grant programs, tax incentives, and economic development resources available to El Paso County businesses.
City of El Paso Programs
El Paso Economic Development Department
The City of El Paso maintains an active economic development program with several incentive tools:
- Chapter 380 Agreements: El Paso uses economic development agreements tied to job creation and investment benchmarks. Chapter 380 guide.
- Tax Abatements: Property tax abatements for qualifying manufacturing, industrial, and commercial investments. Property tax abatement guide.
- Reinvestment Zones: El Paso operates Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones that fund public improvements and may support business development in targeted areas.
- Small Business Program: The city provides small business resources, procurement training, and connections to SBA and SBDC services.
El Paso MBE/WBE Program
El Paso operates procurement preference programs for minority-owned and women-owned businesses on city contracts. Given El Paso's demographics, these programs create significant opportunities for Hispanic-owned businesses. Guide to Hispanic business grants in Texas.
El Paso County and Regional Programs
Borderplex Alliance
The Borderplex Alliance is the regional economic development organization for El Paso County and the broader Paso del Norte region. The Alliance coordinates business attraction, retention, and expansion activities and can help businesses navigate available incentive programs across jurisdictions.
Foreign Trade Zone
El Paso operates one of the busiest Foreign Trade Zones in the country. Businesses operating within the FTZ can defer, reduce, or eliminate customs duties on imported goods. This is particularly valuable for manufacturers using imported components and for businesses involved in cross-border trade.
Workforce Solutions Borderplex
Workforce Solutions Borderplex provides employer-focused programs:
- Skills Development Fund: Customized training grants through partnerships with El Paso Community College. Skills Development Fund guide.
- On-the-Job Training: Wage reimbursement during employee training periods.
- Bilingual Workforce: El Paso's bilingual talent pool is a competitive advantage for businesses serving both U.S. and Mexican markets.
Military-Connected Opportunities
Fort Bliss, one of the largest military installations in the country, is located in El Paso County. This creates business opportunities similar to other Texas military regions:
- DOD Small Business Programs: Subcontracting with prime contractors and direct DOD set-asides.
- Veteran Business Preferences: Federal and state procurement preferences for veteran-owned businesses. Disabled veteran business grants guide.
- Military Spouse Transition Programs: Workforce programs that can benefit businesses hiring from the military community.
State Programs for El Paso County
- Texas Enterprise Fund: Deal-closing grants for job creation. Enterprise Fund guide.
- Texas Enterprise Zones: El Paso has multiple Enterprise Zone designations, making state sales and use tax refunds available to businesses creating jobs in economically distressed areas.
- Texas HUB Certification: Free state procurement preferences. HUB program guide.
- Texas Capital Fund: Infrastructure grants available through the Texas Department of Agriculture.
Federal Programs for El Paso County
- SBA El Paso District Office: SBA 7(a), 504, and microloan programs. SBA 7(a) guide.
- USDA Rural Programs: Areas outside El Paso city limits may be eligible for USDA rural business programs. USDA rural grants guide.
- HUBZone: Significant portions of El Paso County are designated HUBZones, opening federal contracting preferences for businesses located in those areas.
- Opportunity Zones: Multiple census tracts in El Paso County are designated Opportunity Zones.
- New Markets Tax Credits: Low-income census tracts in El Paso County may support NMTC-financed projects.
International Trade Advantages
El Paso's position on the U.S.-Mexico border creates unique business advantages. Billions of dollars in goods cross the El Paso-Juarez border annually. Businesses engaged in cross-border trade can access:
- Foreign Trade Zone benefits for duty management
- State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grants for export activities
- EXIM Bank financing for businesses exporting goods and services
- SBA export loan programs for international sales financing
How to Get Started
- Contact the Borderplex Alliance: Regional economic development coordination and incentive identification.
- Visit the SBA El Paso Office: SBA lending, counseling, and export programs.
- Apply for Texas HUB: Free certification for qualifying businesses.
- Check HUBZone eligibility: Many El Paso County locations are in designated HUBZones.
Find Programs That May Fit Your Business
El Paso County businesses benefit from a unique stack of border, military, state, and federal programs. Finding all the programs you may be eligible for requires navigating multiple agencies and jurisdictions.
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