The Zapata Economic Development Center understands the important role businesses play in creating a healthy and robust local economy. It is imperative the community be effective in promoting and cultivating an attractive business environment. To aid this effort, the links in this section of the website are dedicated to communicating information on county initiatives, programs and services to business owners interested in locating or expanding their businesses in Zapata.

At ZDEC we strive to create, manage and supervise programs and activities that promote, assist, and enhance economic development within the County of Zapata.

The ZEDC’s partners include the County of Zapata, South Texas Development Corporation, Workforce Solutions of South Texas, Zapata County Independent School District, Laredo Community College, Texas A&M International University, and private-sector business & industry .

The ZEDC is a 501(c)(3) organization established in 2006. It is governed by a 9-member Board of Directors, two appointed by the Zapata County Commissioners Court, the others elected by the ZEDC members.

Through its business attraction and business retention and expansion programs, the Zapata County Economic Development Center focuses its economic development efforts on the creation of new primary jobs and new investment in the following industry sectors: Sign up today to receive monthly news from the Zapata County Economic Development Center.

- Extraction (Oil & Gas Exploration)
- Tourism, Eco-Tourism Retail
- Professional Services
- Power Generation
- Transportation
- Warehousing, Distribution, and Logistics
- Manufacturing/Fabrication
- Knowledge-Based
- Health Care