Here is why: according to government statistics in Hidalgo County 27.6 percent or 243,504 of our population lives in poverty.
In the 25 years and over category, we have 112,906 individuals that live in poverty.
We have 9,460 that have a bachelor's degree; 18,992 that have some college; 28,159 that are high school graduates, and 56,295 that are not high school graduates.
Over 150 organizations are involved in helping to create more human capital. They meet regularly with their groups to find better ways to serve our community.
Fourteen groups in the Prosperity Task Force concentrate their efforts on their fields of expertise. Be it, economic data administration, with economists from UTRGV, Texas A&M and STC; housing; food insecurity; transportation; medical services; counseling; mentoring; finance; placement, workforce development; higher education; economic development; policy, (elected officials) and our CEO group, which comprises major businesses.
The economic development group planned to major economic forums to inform and educate our community on our current economic situation and identify the types of degrees and industry is most prominent in our region.
The housing group meets regularly is helping develop better practices. Pharr Housing Authority, for example, has grants to allow its residents to go to school to get employable skills.
In discussions in our medical services group we learned that Unite Us is a platform that connects nonprofits and government agencies in documenting the support given to those in need in our community.
The community service agency has built more capacity to help our citizens in Hidalgo County by working with other organizations, such as VIDA, STC, and Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley.
The groups have produced resource handouts compiled for placement on the county website and distribution throughout the community.
Through meetings and discussions, organizations realized they can collaborate to achieve greater results. Such is the case with Head Start and STC. They are working together and Head Start will start an operation inside an STC facility.
The CEO group led by Joaquin Spamer is having a major meeting on Wednesday with over 50 CEOs and civic leaders to find a way forward for One Region, One Voice.
The main objectives for our efforts are to recognize who we are as an economic region and to let the world know where we are on the map.
From 2018 to 2020, we graduated 75,214 individuals with degrees and certificates. UTRGV had 31,168 bachelor and graduate degrees. STC at 30,789 certificates, associates and bachelor degrees.
Our production in graduates is as follows: certificates are going up eight percent; associate degrees are increasing by three percent; bachelor degrees are increasing by six percent; and graduate degrees are increasing by ten percent.
In the 25 years and over category, 108,975 individuals have earned bachelor's degrees.
Editor's Note: The above commentary was provided by Mario Reyna at a quarterly meeting of the South Texas Alliance of Cities in Edinburg on March 18, 2024. Reyna, a retired educator, is point person for the Hidalgo County Prosperity Task Force, which was set up by Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez.
