Alice and Jim Wells County offer an enviable position to any firm dependent on transportation or trade in the United States and beyond. We have an advantage over other regions in our close proximity to Mexico and to deepwater ports. There are 14 ports of entry within 100 miles of Alice and Jim Wells County:
The Port of Corpus Christi
Laredo – Juarez-Lincoln Bridge, Gateway to the Americas Bridge, World Trade Bridge, Colombia Bridge
Roma – Roma-Miguel Aleman Bridge
Rio Grande City – Rio Grande City-Camargo Bridge
Los Ebanos – Los Ebanos Ferry
McAllen – Hidalgo-Reynosa Bridge
Pharr – Pharr International Bridge
Progresso – Progresso International Bridge
Harlingen – Free Trade Bridge
Brownsville – Gateway International Bridge, B & M Bridge, The Port of Brownsville
There has been considerable focus on the region and the impact of trade with Mexico. First, the maquiladora or twin plant concept became an important development along the Mexican border. Then, the passage of NAFTA had the effect of opening markets. Because of our location, much of the goods in trade pass through Jim Wells County. The county is positioned to provide valuable resources and take advantage of opportunities that will accompany expanded trade with Mexico and Canada. The city and county infrastructures are being expanded to meet these needs.
HIGHWAYS
To facilitate trade, a high-speed transportation corridor linking the Port of Corpus Christi with Laredo and Mexico is being developed. In turn, Laredo is linked to Monterrey Mexico by major highway and 4 international bridges. This allows suppliers and shippers to maquiladoras to locate in South Texas and serve these plants. It also increases trade opportunities with Mexico, the Port of Corpus Christi and foreign trade zones. Alice is located in a key strategic position on this route.
Cross Border Trucking Coalition MAJOR FREIGHT CARRIERS
ABF Freight System, American Freightways Inc, Central Freightlnes, Con-Way Southern Express, Consolidated Tex-Pack, Old Dominion Freight Line, R&L Carriers R&L Dray, Roadway Express, Saia Motor Freight Lines, Southwestern Motor Transport Inc., Watkins Motor Lines Inc, and Yellow Freight Systems Inc.
PARCEL POST PROVIDERS
Absolute Express Delivery, Airborne Express, Carr’s Delivry Service, DHL Worldwide Express, Danner’s Incorporated, Federal Express, Gulf Coast Express, and United Parcel Service.
RAILROADS
The Texas Mexican Railway provides service from Mexico, through Laredo to Corpus Christi, Houston, the East Coast and the Midwest. Tex-Mex operates spurs in the Alice area and interconnects with other rail service providers. Switching and piggback service are provided in multiple locations throughout the region.
WATER
Access to major deepwater shipping ports and an extensive series of barge canals lies within 45 miles of Alice and Jim Wells County. The Gulf Intercoastal Waterway stretches 423 miles from the southern tip of Texas to Louisiana, where it connects with the Mississippi River waterway and barge routes to Florida and the East Coast. This protected barge canal hugs the entire Texas coastline, with a minimum depth of 12 feet and a width of 125 feet along the South Texas coast. The Port of Corpus Christi is the nation’s 5th largest seaport (based on tonnage) with more than 70 docking facilities. It provides domestic and international freight service through a 45-foot deep channel and has container handling, frozen food handling and is developing a LNG terminal.
AIR
Alice and Jim Wells County benefit not only from facilities close at hand, but also from warm climate, which eliminates many of the weather-related delays common in other parts of the country. The Alice International Airport provides general aviation services and features a 6,000 ft. lighted runway with ILS, VOR and FAA Air Weather Service. For more information on the Alice International Airport see Kali Aviation at alkiaviation.com. The nearest commercial airport is 45 miles east in Corpus Christi. Daily commercial service is provided by the following:
American Eagle, Continental and Continental Express Airlines, ASA Delta Airlines and Southwest Airlines.
Commercial airport - 45 miles General aviation airport - 0 miles, 6,000 ft lighted runway and a 4500 ft. lighted runway. Interstate highway 37 - 30 miles State highway 44 - 0 miles KCS Tex-Mex railroad - 0 miles
