New Land Donation Site for Sul Ross State University International Campus Presented
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2025
After the proposed land donation site for the new Sul Ross State University International Campus in Eagle Pass, Texas along U. S. Highway 57 and Loop 480 fell through, another real estate development group, Empire Industrial Park, LLC, has presented an alternative proposed land donation site for the new Sul Ross State University International campus on a tract of real property within the City of Eagle Pass-annexed Empire Industrial Park along Loop 480 and El Indio Highway (FM 1021) in southeast Eagle Pass, announced Sonia Valdez-Junfin of Empire Industrial Park, LLC.
Empire Industrial Park and its members had previously submitted a proposal to Sul Ross State University and the Texas State University System to donate 100 acres of its industrial park on October 31, 2022, but this proposal was initially declined for the Levine Family proposal along U. S. Highway 57 and Loop 480 site.
Empire Industrial Park amended their earlier 2022 land donation proposal and resubmitted it to the Texas State University System on January 31, 2025. The Texas State University System Board of Regents will review the new amended proposal and land donation agreement submitted by Empire Industrial Park.
If the parties successfully reach a land donation agreement, the new Sul Ross State University International campus in Eagle Pass would be located on 100 acres within the recently City-annexed Empire Industrial Park behind the Valero Gasoline and Convenience Store at the intersection of El Indio Highway (FM 1021) and Loop 480.
“I want to extend my sincere gratitude to…the entire university system for allowing us the opportunity to give back to our community in such a meaningful way. It is a privilege to contribute to the future of education and economic growth in our region through the donation of this land for the development of a four-year university,” Sonia Valdez-Junfin stated in a January 31, 2025 letter to Texas State University System Chancellor Brian McCall.
One of the advantages of the new Empire Industrial Park proposal is the development of “all essential utilities—including water, sewer, and electricity—up to the edge of the donated property,” added Valdez-Junfin. The previous proposal required the City, County, and Texas State University System to spend $10 million to build the utilities to the land site on U. S. Highway 57 and Loop 480.
“Our eagerness to collaborate with [Texas State University System] remains steadfast and we are ready to begin work as soon as possible to make up for any lost time and ensure a smooth and timely development process. This ensures that the university can begin development without delay and with the necessary resources already in place,” concluded Valdez-Junfin.
Empire Industrial Park, LLC is owned by Beyer Junfin, Sonia Valdez-Junfin, Sergio Zamora, and Linda Zamora of Eagle Pass.
The City of Eagle Pass City Council approved on May 7, 2024 a City Ordinance annexing the 2, 276 acres multi-use real estate development Empire Industrial Park into the City limits as well as established the City of Eagle Pass Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 for the entire development, growing the City limits by 38% from 6,000 acres to 8,276 acres.
Empire Industrial Park announced last week that Pilot Travel Center has purchased a 10 acre tract of property at the intersection of El Indio Highway and Loop 480 to immediately commence construction and development of a state of the art gasoline, diesel, and convenience store with expected completion by the end of this year.
