HORIZON GROUP PROPERTIES ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR THE OUTLET SHOPPES AT LAREDO
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Jun 11, 2013, Comments Off
Courtesy Horizon Group Properties,
NORTON SHORES, MI – Horizon Group Properties, Inc. (OTC: HGPI) announced at a Press Conference today with officials from the City of Laredo plans for a 350,800 sq. ft. outlet center. The new development, to be known as The Outlet Shoppes At Laredo, is scheduled to open in 2015 with a wide variety of well known designer brands.
Located on the heavily traveled area of Gateway to the Americas (Bridge I) near Interstate Highway-35, the project will be the premier outlet destination for residents of Laredo and the surrounding area as well as the large Mexican customer base. Over 13,000 people a day cross the bridge here to visit Laredo.
“Laredo is open for business,” said City of Laredo Mayor Raul G. Salinas. “This outlet mall will be an economic catalyst for Laredo and for the many Laredoans who will find employment in constructing the facility and then, of course, all who find jobs at the mall, serving their fellow Laredoans as well as those from our Sister City of Nuevo Laredo including the 30,000 people who cross daily into our community to work, go to school, play and yes, shop, as well as the international trade that has made Laredo the nation’s largest inland port.”
“The Laredo City Council and this City of Laredo Administration is committed to finding ways to bring business to Laredo, for the benefit of our citizens, our community and our economy. The Outlet Shoppes at Laredo will be a very welcome addition to the downtown Laredo landscape,” concluded Mayor Salinas.
Laredo, and its sister city, Nuevo Laredo, Tamps, Mexico, is an international metroplex of over one million people and serves as a principle port of entry to the U.S. International trade has increased here as a result of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) which also spurred Laredo to be the fastest growing area in the nation during the 1990’s.
“We’re convinced that Laredo is perfectly situated to draw from the eight million people with a two hour drive of the center,” said Gary Skoien, CEO/President, Horizon Group Properties . “There is not a better site that has this kind of accessibility and visibility on the border. It is perfectly positioned to tap into Monterrey, Mexico, the highest income area of the country and the brand-conscious Mexican consumer.”
Monterrey, Mexico, the 3rd largest city in Mexico where 6.3 million residents live in a modern high-rise city. Laredo is the closest U.S. City to Monterrey.and has a historic pattern of trade with Laredo.
“Generations of affluent shoppers from surrounding Mexican cities have traveled to downtown Laredo for shopping, festivals and sporting events. We believe The Outlet Shoppes of Laredo will provide a notable shopping experience for generations to come,” said Mr. Skoien.
The Outlet Shoppes at Laredo will contribute significantly to the area’s local economy by creating new jobs and generating sales tax revenues. Once complete, the center will have 80 to 90 stores which is estimated to create more than 1,000 jobs for the community and generate more than $130 million in annual sales. This level of sales will generate approximate $8 million of annual sales taxes to the state of Texas.
“The Outlet Shoppes at Laredo will help to spur the redevelopment of downtown Laredo,” said City Manager Carlos Villarreal. “It is this type of investment that will spur improvements and investments in our historic area. For our part, the City of Laredo is committed to helping our private-public partnerships by committing to making improvements to the public sidewalks, the road way and parking area, to encourage customers to come and shop at this soon-to-be great outlet mall in Laredo.
