Employment
Fueled by booming construction and retail sales and burgeoning U.S.-Mexico trade, Laredo's economy grew at a rate of 8% in 2005, making it one of the fastest-growing communities in the United States.
Laredo is the largest inland port for international trade in the Western Hemisphere. It is estimated that more than $100 billion worth of goods pass through the city each year. The port services over 1,000 multinational manufacturers, distributors, logistical operations and service organizations.
The top ten employers are the United Independent School District Education, Laredo Independent School District Education, City of Laredo Government, McDonald's Restaurant, Webb County government, Laredo Medical Center, The Laredo National Bank, H-E-B Grocery Company, Texas A&M International University, and Wal-Mart.