KFOX News

July 2, 2010

Industrial indicators show that Cuidad Juarez is one of the ideal places in North America for companies to invest in.

And the more companies that set up shop across the border, the better it is for El Paso.

"Because of the great labor force, the infrastructure, the supplier network, it's a great location to do business and the violence has not destroyed those things," said Bob Cook, the president of El Paso's Economic Development Corporation

Cook said he tells companies looking to locate in Juarez that almost 5,000 cartel-related homicides occurred there in the last two years. Despite that fact, Cook said 11 companies have notified him they intend to locate or expand in Juarez.

"The industrial community is being left largely untargeted by the violent activities. And so we continue to see companies bringing new jobs and investments," said Cook.

Cook said in the last year new companies created 27,000 new jobs in Juarez and that the activity is seen at El Paso ports of entry. Commercial trucks coming from Juarez have increased by 26 percent. This economic growth leaves Juarez residents with disposable income they would most likely spend in El Paso. He said that growth impacts the retail industry in the Sun City.

"Every time about 10 new jobs are created in Cuidad Juarez through the manufacturing sector about one new job is created in El Paso related to that," said Cook.