Laredo (Webb County) — City Council entered into an economic development incentive agreement with a California-based international fresh produce grower, packer, shipper and marketer to secure their commitment to construct a 100,000 square-foot cold storage, manufacturing and distribution facility.

The California company will invest approximately $17.9 million during the construction phase (Year 1) of the new facility.

Teclo Garcia, the city’s economic development director, said Laredo was in competition with the city of Mcallen, which already has an operation with the same company. The company made its first site visit to Laredo in December 2020.

The council approved the relevant documents, a Chapter 380 Economic Development Grant Agreement, at their June 7 regular session. The cold storage plant will be located in north Laredo off Mines Road on a 6.6-acre tract at the Pinnacle Industry Center.

West Pak Avocado Inc., the owner-developer, have five distribution centers in the United States and Mexico and sources its avocados from 1,000 growers in the U.S., Mexico, Peru and Chile.