Local Cooperatives Recognize Government Support for the First Time
Members of shoe-making cooperatives in Tehuacán and Tepeyahualco acknowledge that, for the first time, a government is purchasing their local production and strengthening small businesses.
- Members of shoe-making cooperatives in Tehuacán and Tepeyahualco acknowledge that, for the first time, a government is purchasing their local production and strengthening small businesses.
Governor Alejandro Armenta’s Vision for Regional Economy
Governor Alejandro Armenta emphasized that producing and purchasing shoes within Puebla favors the regional economy.
The cooperatives will manufacture 300,000 pairs of school shoes this year and aim to produce 700,000 pairs by 2026.
Historical Context of Local Shoe Production
For over 50 years, cooperatives in Tehuacán and Tepeyahualco have been producing shoes, but it was only after Governor Alejandro Armenta’s arrival that they gained recognition.
- Diana Teresa Pacheco, a cooperative member from Tehuacán, highlighted that their work was previously unnoticed and unrecognized until Armenta’s administration.
- Jesús Cabrera Vidal, a member of the Cuauhtémoc Cooperative in Tepeyahualco, mentioned that their locality has been making shoes for 50 years. Now, with government support, they are contributing to high-quality, leather school shoes for Puebla students.
Governor Armenta’s Economic and Social Vision
With a circular economy vision, community wealth, and local well-being in mind, Governor Alejandro Armenta announced during a morning press conference that 100% of school shoe pairs will be produced in Puebla.
- In 2025, Puebla manufacturers will produce 300,000 pairs; by 2026, this number will rise to 700,000 pairs.
Armenta was accompanied by producers from Tepeyahualco de Cuauhtémoc and Tehuacán, assuring them of a significant boost in the Puebla shoe industry.
Secretary of Economic Development and Labor’s Role
Secretary of Economic Development and Labor, Víctor Gabriel Chedraui, reported that the Puebla State Government commissioned 150,000 pairs of shoes from Tehuacán and Tepeyahualco cooperatives as part of the Public Spending Reduction Program.
- This strategy aims to supply high-quality shoes to schools, strengthening the local economy and creating over 1,200 direct and indirect jobs.
The cooperative model integrates family workshops with access to financing, raw materials, and direct distribution channels, avoiding intermediaries. Each pair will carry the “Puebla Cinco de Mayo” brand, symbolizing commitment to sovereign economic development.
The goal is to extend this model to other government-purchased products, such as food and textiles.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Who are the cooperatives involved, and where are they located? A: The cooperatives are in Tehuacán and Tepeyahualco, Puebla.
- Q: How long have these cooperatives been producing shoes? A: They have been producing shoes for over 50 years.
- Q: What is the goal of the Puebla government’s support for local shoe production? A: The goal is to strengthen small businesses, create jobs, and promote regional economic growth.
- Q: How many pairs of school shoes will be produced annually? A: 300,000 pairs will be produced in 2025, increasing to 700,000 pairs by 2026.
