Visit highlights TexAmericas Center’s role as a designated partner supporting Japanese small and medium size businesses expanding into Texas
Texarkana, USA (Feb. 10, 2026) – TexAmericas Center, which owns and operates the 5th ranked industrial park and is one of the largest mixed-use industrial parks in the United States, today announced they hosted a delegation from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) for a two-day site visit Feb. 2 and Feb. 3. The visit reinforced the long standing economic cooperation between Texas and Tokyo and highlighted TexAmericas Center’s role in supporting international business expansion and foreign direct investment in the Texarkana region.
The visit was conducted as part of the Texas-Tokyo Statement of Mutual Cooperation (SMC), signed in January 2022 between the State of Texas and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs. Under this agreement, TexAmericas Center was named one of 18 Texas economic development partners tasked with helping Tokyo-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) explore, enter, and expand within the Texas market.
“As a designated partner in the Texas-Tokyo cooperation, TexAmericas Center is focused on delivering real, operational results for companies entering the U.S. for the first time,” said Scott Norton, Executive Director and CEO of TexAmericas Center. “This visit allowed us to demonstrate how we can provide resources, foster smooth transitions for SME’s entering a new market and develop partnerships international companies need to launch and grow successfully in Texas.”
During the two-day visit, TexAmericas Center leadership hosted in-depth discussions and tours focused on site readiness, logistics capabilities, workforce availability, incentive tools, and long-term partnership support. Key discussion topics included TexAmericas Center’s soft-landing capabilities for Japanese SMEs, flexible real estate solutions ranging from short- and long-term leasing to Build-to-Suit and purchase options, integrated logistics services including third-party logistics services, rail and transload operations, and access to federal, state, and local incentives. The delegation also explored workforce and training partnerships with regional universities, colleges, and workforce organizations.
The TMG delegation was led by Mr. Futoshi Negishi, Director for Overseas Market Development, Commerce & Industry Division, and included senior officials focused on overseas business development, international investment, and market entry support. The delegation also included Mr. Lawrence Howorth, President of Howorth International and TMG Texas Advisor, and an official Japanese-English interpreter.
With nearly 12,000 acres and approximately 3.5 million square feet of industrial, warehouse, office, and logistics space, TexAmericas Center continues to serve as a strategic gateway for domestic and international companies seeking scalable growth, reliable infrastructure, and integrated support in the Texarkana region.
For more information about TexAmericas Center and offerings, 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 six consecutive years, Business Facilities magazine has ranked TexAmericas Center among the top 10 industrial parks in the country, most recently ranked No. 5 in 2025. TexAmericas Center has also been named one of Trade & Industry Development’s America’s Top Site, recognizing its readiness, infrastructure, and ability to support complex industrial projects. 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.