Mercedes with its central location in the Rio Grande Valley has proven time-and-time-again that the city is an ideal location for businesses aiming to reach every part of the region.
The Rio Grande Valley Premium Outlets is a prime example of how the city’s location has helped one of the region’s largest retail centers reach all of the Valley’s markets along with attracting Mexican shoppers.
The UTRGV School of Medicine opened one of its clinics in Mercedes in 2017, providing family medical services at its UT Health RGV/Knapp Family Health Center. The new Mercedes Place Apartments just a mile from the outlets on N. Mile 1E Road tout its convenient halfway point between McAllen and Harlingen.
Another major business enterprise has recognized the value of locating in Mercedes. FedEx opened a new freight service center in Mercedes in September 2019, joining 370 such facilities that the Memphis-based multinational delivery services company has in the United States.
City leaders, including representatives of the Development Corporation of Mercedes, formally welcomed FedEx to Mercedes with an early November 2019 ceremony.
“The new facility is larger than our previous facility in the Rio Grande Valley,’’ said Ron Mears, a communications advisor for FedEx Freight. “It allows us to better serve our customers in the region now and in the future.’’
FedEx Freight specializes in the delivery of time-sensitive freight. The company states that it has the fastest published transit times of any company in the United States. Mears pointed out that Mercedes facility, which is located on Anaquitas Street with its ready access to Interstate 2/Expressway 77/83 is ideal for FedEx deliveries in the region.
“The site was chosen because of its ease of access to major highways, (and) proximity to customers and a strong local community workforce,’’ he said.
There are approximately 150 employees at the FedEx facility in Mercedes. FedEx Freight jobs on its website are listed as technicians, road drivers, freight handlers and service center support.
“Our unparalleled network gives us the ability to quickly and efficiently move freight anywhere across the country,’’ Mears said.
In the Valley, FedEx has ship centers in Harlingen, Pharr and McAllen, with an on-site facility in Harlingen. The new facility is listed as the only FedEx Freight service center in the region.
“The new center (in Mercedes) is centrally located to provide service coverage for much of the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas,’’ states Mercedes service center facts provided by FedEx.

• Ricardo D. Cavazos