Targeted Industries
Corpus Christi is a Gulf Coast industrial hub with deep-water port access, multimodal logistics, abundant industrial land, and a skilled workforce. CCREDC focuses on sectors with the strongest potential for inward investment and sustained growth.
Source: fDi Strategies, “Target industry analysis,” June 2025.
Our Focus
fDi Strategies confirms two tiers of priority sectors for Corpus Christi:
- Tier 1 – Traditional Strengths: Energy; Steel
- Tier 2 – New Opportunity Sectors: Pharmaceuticals; Light Manufacturing (incl. Medical Devices); Aerospace, Space & Defense (AAD); Light-to-Medium Cleantech Manufacturing
Rationale: Tier 1 builds on long-standing investment success; Tier 2 aligns with rising U.S. demand, re-shoring, and regional assets/workforce.
Contact: Robert Kelley, Vice President of Marketing and Attraction | rkelley@ccredc.com | (361) 882-7448
Energy
- Established refining, petrochemicals, LNG, and midstream operations with export-ready infrastructure.
- Cost-competitive energy for large users; co-location and downstream project potential.
- Growth in sustainable biofuels and hydrogen as sub-sectors.
Why it matters: Track record and continued national investment flows keep Energy core to attraction.
Workforce Training: Del Mar College’s Process Technology and Industrial Instrumentation programs, TAMU-CC engineering tech pathways, and industry apprenticeships for operators, maintenance, and EHS.
Steel
- Specialty/advanced steel with port-proximate sites and access to feedstocks.
- Strong prospects for downstream metal products and fabrication.
Why it matters: Longstanding cluster effects and new co-location opportunities. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Workforce Training: Del Mar College welding, machining, and millwright; high school CTE metal trades; industry-led upskilling for advanced fabrication and quality.
Pharmaceuticals
- Best fit: manufacturing (not R&D), leveraging petrochemical feedstocks and export logistics.
- U.S. supply-chain localization and tariff dynamics favor domestic production.
Opportunity: Market-seeking FDI to secure U.S. access.
Workforce Training: TAMU-CC biology/chemistry pipelines; Del Mar biotechnology and lab tech; workforce board programs for GMP, QA/QC, and cleanroom operations.
Light Manufacturing (incl. Medical Devices)
- Downstream metals and plastics; specialized parts and equipment.
- Capabilities in CNC and additive manufacturing; overlaps with existing clusters.
Opportunity: Small-to-mid scale projects aligned with regional skillsets and sites.
Workforce Training: Del Mar advanced manufacturing and 3D printing labs; TAMU-CC engineering tech; industry certs for precision machining, metrology, and quality.
Aerospace, Space & Defense (AAD)
- Manufacturing, MRO, and systems integration supported by regional naval/aviation assets.
- Growth in modular production, robotics, and 3D printing for defense/aero supply chains.
Opportunity: Next-gen defense/aero investments responding to geopolitical demand. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Workforce Training: Collaborations with Naval Air Station; Del Mar A&P mechanics; robotics/automation training via local technical centers and OEM partners.
Light-to-Medium Cleantech Manufacturing
- Components for renewables, energy efficiency, and decarbonization technologies.
- Recognized as a strategic sector with rising investment flows.
Opportunity: Pair energy-cost advantages with port logistics for scale.
Workforce Training: Del Mar renewable energy technician, electrical/mechatronics; employer-led equipment certifications.
Strategic Markets for Investment Attraction
International
Primary: Germany, United Kingdom
Secondary: Japan, Canada, Switzerland, South Korea
Tertiary: India, Italy, France
Domestic (Inter-State)
Primary: California, Illinois
Secondary: Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey
Tertiary: North Carolina, Indiana, Ohio
Basis: 2019–2024 greenfield projects and sector-weighted prioritization
Why Corpus Christi
- Energy cost advantage for power-intensive industry.
- Port of Corpus Christi deep-water access and FTZ benefits.
- Industrial sites with heavy-infrastructure readiness.
- Workforce pipeline from TAMU-CC, Del Mar College, and regional training partners.
Positioning: De-risked market access amid tariffs; reliable infrastructure and talent.
View the full report here: 2025 Corpus Christi Region Target Industry Survey
Contact:
Robert Kelley, Vice President of Marketing and Attraction
rkelley@ccredc.com | (361) 882-7448