The McAllen Research & Education Park, a product of the North American Advanced Manufacturing Research and Education Initiative (NAAMREI), was created as a result of a U.S. Department of Labor “WIRED” grant. The WIRED project was devoted to developing a skilled and talented regional workforce. A regional asset mapping and SWOT analysis were completed to determine that advanced manufacturing is the area of growth that will most improve the economic opportunity and job creation potential in the South Texas area, ultimately transforming the region into the national and global leader for advanced and rapid response manufacturing. The site selection process was concluded in 2006 as part of the long term NAAMREI strategy to develop the region into the premiere advanced manufacturing center in the world, naming it the McAllen Research & Education Park.

The Research Park Subcommittee of NAAMREI comprises representatives of the McAllen Economic Development Corporation, the City of McAllen, The University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA), South Texas College, and the Lower Rio Grande Valley Workforce Solutions, as well as the private developers. The Subcommittee engaged Broaddus Planning to prepare a master plan for a public/private Research Park on land owned by the City of McAllen, Verde Development, and Hunt Valley Development in McAllen, Texas.  The McAllen Research & Education Park will be a unique, mixed-use, research and educational development. The Research Park will provide and/or incorporate a full range of interactive research and development, education, training and/or public support services in an interrelated format. Tenants will consist of higher education, workforce training, government and corporate facilities.