Texarkana, USA (March 25, 2025) – TexAmericas Center, which owns and operates the 3rd ranked industrial park and is one of the largest mixed-use industrial parks in the United States, today announced the successful completion of the Real Estate Development & Reuse course by two of its employees, Courtney Gutierrez, Proposal Content and CE Coordinator, and Melanie Buttaro, Tenant Relations and Real Estate Specialist. Both Gutierrez and Buttaro have demonstrated a strong commitment to professional growth by participating in the course through the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).
The IEDC course, focused on real estate development and reuse, provided valuable insights into site selection, maximizing rail-served properties, managing public approvals, contracts, and environmental concerns, as well as financial tools like pro formas and incentives.
A key takeaway from the IEDC course was the importance of applying learned skills in real-world scenarios. For instance, the pair has already begun utilizing resources from the courses, including organizational lists, marketing materials, and networking techniques to enhance their work.
“This training has been incredibly beneficial to the work we do,” said Buttaro. “It covered important topics that we are always working on at TexAmericas Center, including optimizing site selection, navigating public approvals, addressing environmental challenges, and utilizing financial tools to support long-term growth and business expansion in the region.”
Gutierrez and Buttaro’s professional development journey began with the basic Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) course in November 2022, which provided an entry-level introduction to economic development. Building on this foundational training, they have since expanded their expertise through additional courses with the IEDC and the Oklahoma University Economic Development Institute, focusing on specific aspects of economic development. Gutierrez’s course centered on marketing and attraction, while Buttaro’s course was centered on business retention and expansion. Both employees highlighted how the courses directly supported their work at TexAmericas Center and strengthened their understanding of economic development.
“These courses have given us the tools and strategies to better navigate our work and connect with local businesses, which will ultimately help us create stronger relationships and encourage sustainable growth in the region,” Gutierrez said. “The professional development opportunities at TexAmericas Center are truly exceptional. They support our growth and continually encourage us to learn more.”
TexAmericas Center strongly supports continuous learning and has a culture that promotes professional growth, offering a number of opportunities for employees to enhance their expertise and improve their day-to-day work. The company encourages its employees to take part in relevant courses to stay updated on industry trends and best practices.
“We take professional development very seriously at TexAmericas Center,” said Eric Voyles, Executive Vice President and Chief Economic Development Officer at TexAmericas Center. “We are constantly evaluating and exploring opportunities for growth, to ensure that our team is properly equipped with the skills needed to better serve our tenants and help drive their success.”
For more information about TexAmericas Center, visit TexAmericasCenter.com.
About TexAmericas Center
Located on the Texas side of the Texarkana metropolitan area, TexAmericas Center owns and operates a premier industrial park, which is one of the largest mixed-use industrial parks in the United States. With roughly 12,000 development-ready acres of land and approximately 3.5 million square feet of commercial and industrial product, TexAmericas Center services four states (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas). As the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) over all development processes on the property, TexAmericas Center helps companies save 12 to 18 months of public review time, leading to faster Speed-To-Occupancy.
For five consecutive years, Business Facilities magazine has ranked TexAmericas Center among the top 10 industrial parks in the country, most recently ranked No. 3 in 2024 and 2023. (#5 for 2022). Tenants appreciate an impressive transportation corridor that uses multiple state highways, interstates, air freight, and rail lines to disperse from a central U.S. location. Additionally, Expansion Solutions has recognized TexAmericas Center’s QSP (Qualified Site Program) as the No. 1 certified site program in the Southern U.S.
Seven rail lines converge on the Texarkana region and TexAmericas Center hosts an on-site 350-car rail yard and has over 30-miles of rail running through its properties. TAC Rail services include transload as well as rail car storage and spotting. TexAmericas Center has also been added to Union Pacific’s Focus Sites Program, becoming one of only 32 sites in the U.S. to receive this prestigious designation.
TexAmericas Center also offers third-party logistics (3PL) services to assist companies with inventory management, warehousing, and fulfillment needs. Combining a “Flex Lease” with 3PL services gives companies seeking to expand or make first-time investment in the region an easier path to start operations.
The organization completed construction on a 150,000-square-foot, state-of the-art speculative building in 2021; the building was sold in 2022. In total, the organization has built and transacted over 240,000 sq. ft. in three spec projects. TexAmericas Center has the capability to lease, build-to-suit, or facilitate greenfield owner-constructed projects in a timely, efficient manner. All of TexAmericas Center’s property is a designated US Opportunity Zone, New Market Tax Credit Census Tract, EB5 – Immigration through Investment area, Foreign Trade Zone (#258), and a Texas Enterprise Zone. TexAmericas Center has the operating capabilities of a municipality but functions like a traditional real estate development company, offering customized real estate, logistics, incentive and financing solutions. For more information about TexAmericas Center, visit TexAmericasCenter.com.
