Over 80 attendees participated in an educational workshop government subsidies to fund their businesses 

Business owners, Washington experts, and community leaders discuss Laredo’s future in a changing economy

LAREDO, TX – In collaboration with the Rio Grande International Study Center (RGISC), industry leaders put on an event for the Laredo import-export community focusing on the funding opportunities for electric heavy-duty trucks and rebate programs for solar panels. 

The business seminar was attended by over 80 people from the freight industry, local government agencies, academic institutions, financial executives, and logistics and trucking leaders to learn how new tax credits and federal programs can subsidize local fleets, generate energy for a profit, and bring revenue to the community.

“Electrifying the Future” took place on Tuesday, July 30 at the Falcon Bank Event Center and featured panels on electric vehicles and solar led by several leaders in the industry: Roberto Perez  (Forza Transportation Services ), Gonzalo Prida (Prida Multimodal Logistics), and Alvaro Pequeño & Richard Lira (PEG Energy). Other panelists include Miguel Treviño (Greenspace E-mobility USA) and Athena Motavvef, a clean transportation expert (Earthjustice).

It was facilitated by Matt Tejada (former EPA Administrator, currently SVP at Natural Resources Defense Council, NRDC) and Adrian Zapata (Chairman of the Board of the Laredo Chamber of Commerce).

This event featured several introductory speakers including Texas Representative Richard Raymond, who had this to say,” “It doesn’t matter if you’re democrat or republican– electrification affects people on both sides of the aisle. Alternative fueling and energy has arrived, and we have to reflect that right here in Laredo, TX– one of the biggest economic powerhouses in the state.

He continued, “This event focused on educating this industry about the subsidization opportunities available for this investment, the first step to acquiring those funds and benefiting our community.”

Adrian Zapata, Chairman of the Board for Laredo Chamber of Commerce, was a facilitator for the event, highlighting its significance by saying, “It is a great opportunity to learn about the different incentives out there through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding, especially because this area is so historically underserved, despite being a hub for international commerce.”

“With the demand for energy at an all-time high, adding extra layers of energy sources is a great way to modernize our economy and maintain our status as the #1 port in the Western Hemisphere. If a business can utilize solar to add energy to the grid, plus turn a profit, even better for them!” 

Owner and founder of PEG Energy, and one of the largest proponents for solar in the community, Alvaro Pequeño said this about the event, “The most important takeaway from all of this is that these funds are there, but that will not always be the case. That money is not inexhaustible, and if it doesn’t come to Laredo, it will most likely go somewhere else. With the right infrastructure and support towards sustainability and energy independence, Laredo can be both an economic and eco-nomic leader. 

Pequeño continued to highlight the urgency of taking advantage of these funds. “If we don’t jump on the train now, we’re gonna miss it altogether.” 

The event featured two panels, each focused on electrification benefits for Class 8 commercial vehicles and solar rooftop solutions for warehouses and industrial facilities.

Allison Guzman, Justice 40 Program Manager at RGISC, further elaborated, “While Justice40 can cover a variety of things, we chose this topic to highlight the businesses and groups that move Laredo every single day. It shouldn’t be an either or situation where we have to be pro-trucking or pro-environment. These initiatives offer a chance for us to advocate for both, because the people that make up this wonderful community should never have to choose.”  

For more information about this event or others like it in the future, contact Allison Guzman at allison@rgisc.org or (956)718-1063.