​I just received the latest edition of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor Newsletter.  I am very excited about the upcoming Ports to Plains Alliance 2016 Energy & Agriculture Summit being held in Lubbock, Texas on March 30th through the 31st. This is an opportunity to hear about the future economic opportunities in both energy and agriculture, as well as demonstrate our support for these important economic drivers in the Ports-to-Plains region.  I invite each and every member to make plans to attend.  Information will be available prior to the conference at the Del Rio Hispanic Chamber office.  
I am very proud of having personally been a part of the effort that both the City of Del Rio and our sister city Ciudad Acuna, have played in the early stages of the creation of the Ports to Plains Corridor.  When the Texas Department of Transportation crunched the numbers and analyzed the best route the Ports-to-Plains Corridor would take, the City of Del Rio did not rate high enough to be included on the route.  Thanks to the combined efforts of the community and Presidente Municipal, Chacho Ramon (in conjunction with his Economic Development Team, including Trinidad Herrera), a letter writing campaign produced thousands of letters that we took to the TXDOT Hearing in Austin, Texas.  As the Mayor of Del Rio, I along with representatives from Ciudad Acuna’s Presidencia Municpal Administration, testified at the hearing and presented thousands of letters written by citizens urging TXDOT to include Del Rio/Ciudad Acuna on the Ports to Plains Corridor route.  After some time, we were notified by TXDOT that our efforts had proven successful and the City of Del Rio would be included in the Ports-to-Plains Corridor route.  After our designation, we took an active part in this coalition.  Much of the credit for our current success goes to Sid Cauthorn of The Bank and Trust, who took the bull by the horns and joined the Coalition in an executive capacity.  The Del Rio Chamber of Commerce also worked closely with the City of Del Rio to bring this Economic Development route to fruition. 
As a refresher of exactly what the Ports-to-Plains route does for us, a quote from their web site:  “The Ports-to-Plains Alliance based in Lubbock Texas, is a non-profit, non-partisan, community-driven advocacy group led by mayors, councilpersons, economic development officials, business and other opinion leaders from ten U.S. States served by a nine-state, 2,300-plus mile economic development corridor between Mexico and Canada.  In the U.S., these communities reach from Texas on the south to North Dakota and Montana on the north.  The corridor extends into the energy and agriculture rich areas in Canada. 
The Government of Alberta joins many communities in Alberta and Saskatchewan looking to expand infrastructure serving the economic needs of their regions and the whole Ports-to-Plains Corridor. In Mexico, development is taking place connecting the Texas/Mexico border in communities along the corridor stretching to the Ports of Mazatlan on the West coast of Mexico.  Over the past decade and a half, Ports-to-Plains Alliance members have seen billions in federal and state funding for road improvements in the Ports-to-Plains region.”  Today we continue to collaborate with our federal and state leaders, partners in Canada and Mexico, and industry partners to deliver the infrastructure, food, fiber and fuel that secure the quality of life of America’s great cities.  The corridor serves North America’s energy heartland including the oils sands in Alberta, Bakken, Niobrara, Permian, Cline, Eagle Ford and emerging Mexico energy plays.  At the same time, we embrace America’s new energy economy and are capitalizing upon wind power, biofuels and other innovation sectors to renew one of America’s greatest legacies, the rural heartland.”
We are very proud to be part of the Port-to-Plains Coalition.    DORA G. ALCALA’, Former Mayor, City of Del Rio

​As the Director of International Trade for DRHCC I have been given the responsibility of working with the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce and the Acuña Chamber of Commerce in accomplishing the purpose of the Bilateral Committee.  
   The Bilateral Committee meets monthly with the intention of enhancing the collaboration in the areas of economic development, transportation, tourism, and social issues affecting our border.   Representatives of Del Rio and Acuña city government (including the Maquila Association, the Consul of Mexico, the Consul of Guatemala, and regional business leaders) work together to set, plan, and achieve goals.  
   Presently we are working to: support local air service, find solutions for safe and inexpensive bus transportation between Del Rio and Acuña, increase marketing and advertising in West Texas and in the San Antonio areas for our unique tourist attractions, as well as search for inexpensive medicine and healthcare in our sister city. 
   For more information on these topics, or questions you may have please feel free to contact me at 830-313-2729.
Thank you,
Adriana O. Encinas
Director of International Trade

​I am excited and honored to be a part of the Del Rio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as the Director of Legislative and Government Affairs.
   I was born in Del Rio but was raised in the “big city” of Mexico D.F.  I moved back to Del Rio seven years ago after I graduated from the Tecnologico de Monterrey with a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Psychology. I also bring with me a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Healthcare Management from the University of Texas at Tyler, a Long Term Care Administration Degree from Midland College and a combined six years of experience in the health care industry. Four years ago I had the privilege of becoming the administrator for Val Verde Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
   As the Director of Legislative and Government Affairs and with the guidance of Ms. Otila Gonzalez, I plan to present and share with you important government news and events that will have an important impact on our community.
    As a business director myself, I encourage you to be a part of the DRHCC and to attend the many events that our team puts together. 
I know that it will be a great opportunity to network with other business and meet great people.

​In the month of February more than 100 people attended DRHCC’s annual Valentine Business Social hosted by member business, Border Federal Credit Union at their Bedell branch. 
   Sponsors included Silver Eagle, HEB, Happy Balloons, Doc Holiday’s, and Robert’s Jewelers.  Over 20 door prizes were raffled to guests in attendance and four plaques were presented to new incoming members (Tula’s Juicery, Wright’s Steakhouse, Dismas Charities, and Ana M Diseno & Confeccion). 
   DRHCC would like to thank everyone for attending and/or contributing to the success of this event.  Our business socials and monthly member meetings are tools for you to network with the faces behind local businesses.
  If you haven’t already attended one of our socials, we encourage you to join us!  Our events are also opportunities for prospective members to become acquainted with our organization and our members.
   For more information on becoming a member of DRHCC, contact Leslie Herrera at leslie_8@outlook.com.