The state of Hidalgo is seeking to increase its presence in the industrial map of central Mexico, leveraging its strategic location. Reserva Zapotlán is part of this strategy, aiming to become a new industrial and logistics hub.
Julio Menchaca Salazar, the governor of Hidalgo, noted that Reserva Zapotlán is incorporated into a broader investment strategy in the state. During his administration, 130 projects have been announced, totaling 147 billion pesos and creating 191,000 jobs. These plans include the Mexico-Pachuca train, the Valle del Mezquital Water Plan, and other development poles.
Reserva Zapotlán’s First Phase
With a surface area of 910.81 hectares and an estimated investment of 10.106 billion pesos, Reserva Zapotlán is part of the Economic Development Poles for Well-being.
Its strategic location provides access to Mexico City, Bajío, and the northern part of the country, according to data from the Ministry of Economy. The hub’s connectivity advantages include the Arco Norte, federal highway 85D, and proximity to the Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA), located 29 kilometers away.
The project’s execution will be handled by the company DEWA, divided into five phases. The first phase involves an investment of 1.277 billion pesos for urbanization and infrastructure development, as well as over 2 billion pesos for the construction of the first two industrial facilities.
During the announcement on August 19, Germán Ahumada Alduncin, founder and CEO of DEWA Capital, set a goal of creating 5,100 jobs, with at least 35% of local hires.
Target Industries
Reserva Zapotlán is not limited to a single activity. The Ministry of Economy identifies six strategic sectors for the hub: aerospace, automotive and auto parts, manufacturing, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and logistics.
The declaration of the hub highlights its connection to Pachuca, Tizayuca, and Zempoala, as well as the availability of land and proximity to technical and higher education institutions.
The hub’s diversity expands its potential user base, but it also implies different real estate needs. Logistics operations, pharmaceutical plants, and automotive suppliers do not necessarily require the same electrical capacity, water consumption, facility configuration, equipment, or specialized infrastructure.
The pharmaceutical sector could become one of the first indicators of demand. During the August presentation, the Hidalgo government reported that there is a proposal to purchase land from a company in this industry.
Read Also: Amenities now judged on long term quality
The land is owned by the Hidalgo government and is free of encumbrances, according to information presented by the state government. The declaration published in the Official Federal Gazette also establishes that the properties that make up the area designated for the hub are public state property.
Energy, gas, and water are essential for the hub’s development. The availability of services will determine what type of operations Reserva Zapotlán can accommodate.
Updated information from the PODECOBI indicates access to substations of the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), availability of fiber optic cables for industrial operations 4.0, and a natural gas pipeline located approximately four kilometers away.
In terms of electricity, official documentation identifies an estimated demand of 20 MW for the hub in its mature stage and notes alternatives for supply through distribution infrastructure and, if demand exceeds that, through the National Transmission Grid.
The energy strategy also incorporates photovoltaic generation. During the August presentation, the Hidalgo government reported that 100 hectares of the polygon are reserved for this purpose.
Water will be another component to consider as urbanization advances. The project’s information contemplates supply through branches and wells, as well as an existing wastewater treatment plant and a larger-scale facility still in planning.
Incentives are being offered to attract companies to the hub. The PODECOBI has federal incentives, including a 100% deduction for investments in new fixed assets and additional deductions for training and technological innovation and development.
In Hidalgo, state and municipal stimuli are being added. The information from Proyectos México includes a 100% stimulus on the Payroll Tax during the first year, 75% in the second year, and 50% in the third year.
Reductions of up to 50%, valid until 2030, are also being established for municipal concepts such as property tax and transfer of ownership, land use, and construction licenses.
The incentives reduce certain costs associated with installation, although the real estate decision of users will also depend on operational variables such as infrastructure, energy, water, connectivity, talent availability, and delivery times.