Unionized labor in Agua Prieta does not represent a major impediment to new starts or expansion. Migrant farm worker unions are more prevalent in this region.

The State of Sonora has been progressive and aggressive in marketing their capabilities to support new manufacturing. Much of this emphasis has been toward new sites in the interior of the state, reflective of the fact that Agua Prieta's location severely limits its capacity to accept new and larger manufacturing operations. The push toward Agua Prieta inevitably comes from the State of Arizona, hoping to better capitalize on the expanding maquila industry in the fashion of California and Texas.

Sonora has established a marketing agency in Tucson to assist new businesses locating anywhere in the state. Arizona has a very pro-business attitude and offers numerous assistance programs and tax abatements to new businesses wanting to relocate in the region.