WESLACO, Texas – Weslaco Mayor David Suarez has given an exclusive video interview to the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service about a $20 million investment being made by a distribution company that will lead to 180 new jobs.
Suarez cannot, as yet, name the company that is arriving but says the agreement is in place. The company, he said, will anchor Weslaco’s second industrial park, which is currently being developed off of FM 1015 and Mile 9.
“There is an old saying, if you build it, they will come. Well, they are coming to Weslaco,” Suarez said.
Suarez gave the interview immediately after his 2022 State of the City address at a packed Knapp Conference Center. Suarez said the distribution company will be taking up 25 acres in the new 149-acre industrial park.
Suarez said the company is moving from McAllen, where it has 100,000 square feet of space. He said the company is landlocked and cannot grow in its current location.
“They have outgrown their current location. They needed to move in order to fulfill their 25 year plan for growth and expansion.”
Asked why the distribution company chose Weslaco, Suarez said: “We were competing with five other cities. We had a good offer and we offer a central location.” He pointed out that the company distributes Valley-wide.
A groundbreaking ceremony will be held in the next month or so with construction starting this fall.
“It is a big home run for the city of Weslaco and the county. We are very excited to make this announcement,” Suarez said.
In his video interview, Mayor Suarez also spoke about his city’s current drainage improvement projects.
Video:
In his State of the City address, Suarez paid tribute to Weslaco Economic Development Corporation and to Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez and Hidalgo County Commissioner David Fuentes.
“Our industrial park is so full we are building a second industrial park,” Suarez said, in his speech. “And while we cannot provide details on our latest efforts that will bring in a news $20 million investment to the industrial park and over 180 jobs to Weslaco. We cannot wait.”
Mayor Suarez’s State of the City address also featured statistics showing the growth of Weslaco.
“Last fiscal year we brought in more than $12.1 million in sales tax revenues and we are expected to pass those numbers in this fiscal year. We are five months into the current fiscal year and we are at more than $9.5 million dollars,” Suarez said.
“Within the past year alone we have had more than 1,400 acres of new residential development in our city. In fiscal year 2020 we issued 158 permits for new residential single family homes. If that number sounds impressive we are already at 120 permits for new residential single family homes just this year.”
Suarez said dozens of new businesses have opened up in Weslaco over the past year.
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