Good morning. Welcome. Thank you for joining us in the wonderful place we call home, Rio Grande City.
Not too long ago, Rio Grande City was an economically depressed border community. And we weren't financially straight.
But our community is resilient. And as President John F Kennedy said, and he said it best, things do not happen, things are made to happen.
So we slowly started the transformation, all hands on deck. And today, we are a vibrant, thriving community. We have a bicultural, binational, bilingual identity that serves as our strength. Our cost of living is below the national average by a staggering 26 percent. We have a strong and young workforce. We have international land ports of entry here in Roma and Rio Grande City. Billions of dollars in trade in every conceivable commodity and service with destination anywhere and everywhere USA.
We have historical job creation, an historical fund balance, historical sales tax revenues. Every month this year has been an historical high. Every single month. We are looking at historical homeownership at 72%, above the national and state averages of 64 and 62 percent.
Historical investments in infrastructure, millions of dollars in order to sustain and support any and all future developments.
Historical investments in safety and security. We have safe communities.
Historical investments in medicine. Not too far from where we sit here today, we're going to have a medical residency program. One of the few rural medical residency programs in the country. The first cohort will be in 2024, the summer of 2024.
Education, historical investment. South Texas College, beautiful campus. UTRGV. Rio Grande City, La Grulla and Roma ISDs. Idea Public Schools. You're looking at historical investments in education. Immaculate Conception (Catholic Church).
Now, when you're looking at historical investments in mobility and connectivity, we are going to have State Loop 195 and the connection that that'll bring to the near-shoring (phenomenon) and the concept of warehousing and cold storage, which are coming as well.
And I know Roma will be talking about their industrial park; (we have) private public partnerships that we are right now working on.
And we have historical investments in transportation, trade, commerce, hospitality. In 2024 we will be having a new hotel. A Hilton Grand Hotel will be coming to this city. Potentially two (new hotels), but for sure one. We need to continue to invest in hotels, there's no doubt. You cannot find a room in Rio Grande City. So, the need is absolutely there.
Of course, when you're looking at tourism, we have so many wonderful places, here in our communities with historical sites. You're looking at continued investment in almost every conceivable topic and issue and investments that will continue to progress.
So, with that I cannot stress (enough) the importance of investing in Starr County, which is the next best thing when you are looking at that potential future. And the numbers already indicate that, by the way. Question is, are individuals willing to invest in a community that is the next best thing.
And, going back to the Valley, absolutely. The Rio Grande Valley as a whole has enjoyed tremendous growth, prosperity and success. Hey, we're going to Mars from the Rio Grande Valley. Absolutely. There's a lot to be said about being proud to be from the Valley.
Of course, here, today, we’re focused on Rio Grande City and Starr County as a whole. I'm sure the mayor from the Roma will promote his community and, by all means, we have to do that. But, again, Starr County as a whole.
So with that, on behalf of the great city of Rio Grande City, thank you for joining us here today. Enjoy the moment right now. It is here, right here, right now, the right moment to invest in our communities because the future looks very bright, and our economic forecasts radiate brighter every single day. And the numbers are there to prove it.
So, with that, thank you so much for joining us. Have a wonderful day and I'll leave you in the good and great hands of Ms. Rose Benavidez and Dalinda Guillen and of course our staff and everyone who is part of this group. Thank you for coming out. Have a wonderful and day. God bless.
Editor's Note: The above commentary was provided by Rio Grande City Mayor Joel Villarreal at a "Commercial & Investment Tour" event hosted by the Rio Grande Valley Partnership and held at South Texas College's Starr County Campus on Dec. 14, 2023.
