The Rio Grande Region is one of those rare places that successfully balances a progressive business outlook with a comfortable quality of life.

Situated at the crossroads of southwestern Texas and south-central New Mexico along the U.S.-Mexico border, this vibrant region offers all the amenities and infrastructure of a major metropolitan area. But the people who live here insist that what sets the region apart is the community’s hometown ambiance, unique charm and hassle-free vibe.

As CEO of Secure Origins, El Paso, Texas, native and high-tech entrepreneur Hector Holguin is well-versed in the area’s many advantages. An intelligent software company, Secure Origins provides real-world solutions to enhance border security and allow for real-time tracking for the logistics industry.

“This is the place to be in terms of our strategic location and the availability of a youthful, talented workforce," he says. "We’re sitting on a wealth of resources, and the people here are loyal. In the last 25 years of working in high tech, I would say I’ve had no more than 1 percent attrition, which is pretty remarkable.”

Holguin credits the area’s outstanding quality of life, noting that the region's diverse population is rooted in cultural tradition.

“My parents were born in Chihuahua, so I grew up in an environment that was both very Mexican and very American. There’s a large German contingent here as well, and you see these cultures all come together in a rich tapestry," he says. "It’s a very welcoming community, very family oriented.” 

The region’s favorable cost of living, abundant sunshine, cultural and entertainment opportunities, year-round sports and outdoor recreation combine the best of the Southwest, the Old West and Old Mexico. The region’s cosmopolitan flair – a majority of residents are bilingual in English and Spanish – draws people from all over the world to live, work, do business, get an education or retire.

The region is a vibrant hub for arts, culture and history. El Paso alone boasts a broad array of museums, galleries, performance groups and historic attractions that would be the envy of much larger cities. Las Cruces, N.M., is steeped in arts, culture and historic offerings, from its galleries and museums to the Zuhl Geological Collection at New Mexico State University to White Sands Missile Range Museum & Missile Park.

That quality of life was just one of the factors that attracted Automatic Data Processing Inc. to El Paso in 2006. The company – one of the world’s largest providers of payroll and tax filing services – employs approximately 1,100 workers in two facilities locally.

And General Manager Terry McGreehan expects that figure to continue to climb, citing the availability of an educated workforce and the support of local officials as important benefits.

“We considered several communities across different time zones,” he says. “The fact is that technology allows us to locate just about anywhere in the country. We had the pick of where we wanted to be, and found El Paso to be a vibrant community with a lot of growth opportunity.

“In terms of quality of life, there are many positives,” says McGreehan, who relocated to El Paso from St. Louis as part of ADP’s expansion. “The mountains are incredible. We’re sitting at the gateway to the American Southwest, so my wife and I enjoy being able to travel and do day trips to various destinations. The weather has been a very positive change as well. I enjoy living in the land of year-round golf.” 

“This is the place to be in terms of our strategic location and the availability of a youthful, talented work force."