Mooo-ving back

One of the issues in the 2006 Presidential election was whether Mexico should invest more in their domestic market (as proposed by the PRD coalition candidate) and assist small business development or continue to depend on the U.S. market (from the PAN candidate). The U.S. economic and social climate is such that the PRD-coalition proposals are being implemented.

James Pinkerton in the Houston Chronicle (which still has at least some decent Mexican coverage) writes on the economic impact of returning immgrants in Mexico.  Most immigrants are sending money home, or saving money in the United States with the intention to invest at home, while the government and some private funding (Western Union has been particularly innovative in this area) are also providing start-up funds

One of the ventures in Guanajuato is the Nuevo Lindero Dairy Society,a dairy cooperative founded by former immigrants on the outskirts of Leon that provides employment for 45 families. Many of the farmers are immigrants who have returned from the U.S. or are relatives of immigrants still working there.

“Here, almost 50 percent of the population goes to the United States. When they reach 18, they say, ‘See you later,’” explained Jesus Ramirez, a former illegal immigrant who is president of the Nuevo Lindero Dairy Society. “With this source of jobs, we hope our children will stay.”

The cooperative produces an average of 4,000 liters of milk daily from a herd of 250 cows. By offering the raw product collectively to wholesalers, they were able to command a higher price. To do that, the cooperative installeda distribution center next to the highway with a 9,000-liter stainless storage tank.