EDCOUCH, Texas - Elsa Economic Development Corporation, led by Executive Director Daniel Rivera, hosted The Delta Area Summit on Tuesday, June 17. It was held in Edcouch-Elsa ISD’s high-tech technology building.
The event attracted leaders from the three cities that comprise the Delta area, Elsa, Edcouch, and La Villa, plus leaders from unincorporated Monte Alto.
During the event, Rivera asked everyone present to come up with some wish list items. He asked everyone to write down what was "possible."
Elsa City Manager J.J. Ybarra responded that his "possible" item would be mini-hospital or medical center. Or, at the very least, a medical emergency room established in the Delta.
“To me, the ‘possible,’ for which there is a huge need in this area, is a medical center. We need, at the very least, an urgent care center, but (really) a mini-hospital like the one in Weslaco, the Valley Baptist one, the micro hospital, would do amazing for this region,” Ybarra said.
“For me, it doesn't matter if it's in La Villa, Edcouch or Elsa. At the end of the day, we are so close to one another that it doesn't matter. And it would service all of us.”
Ybarra said he and Rivera have had “several meetings” with some hospital officials, including those at Prime and UHS.
“We met with several of them, but I tell you what would help us out is if all three city managers went to go meet with them. That way, we show the commitment is not only from Elsa, but from La Villa and Edcouch too.”
Ybarra said sending letters would help also.
“Let them know with letters of support that we're committed to helping them out in whatever way and whatever it takes to bring them in, because there is such a great demand for medical services in this area,” Ybarra said.
“To travel 20 minutes to the to the west, to go to Edinburg or south to Weslaco is just not enough. And, as the chief (of police) can attest, we're dealing with lives here.”
There was widespread support for Ybarra's proposal among the leaders present. They all agreed to work together to achieve this goal.
After the summit ended, the Rio Grande Guardian secured an exclusive interview with Ybarra. Here it is:
After Ybarra introduced his proposal there was an absorbing conversation between Ybarra, Rivera, Edcouch Mayor Virginio Gonzalez, La Villa Mayor Rosa Perez, and former Edcouch Mayor Pro-Tem Eddy Gonzalez. They agreed that past efforts to secure a medical center had floundered, one, because of COVID, and, two, because the Delta cities had tried to act alone. They agreed they had to work together to achieve their goal of bringing a mini-hospital or medical center to the Delta area.
Editor's Note: Here is a video recording of the discussion:
