On behalf of the great city of Rio Grande City, a great place to live, to work and to forge the American Dream, thank you for joining us today.
At every corner throughout Starr County and beyond its boundaries, I am often greeted with anticipation and excitement about Rio Grande Village. Often, I am asked the proverbial question, when? Well, today is that day. For progress and prosperity abound at every turn.
So, thank you, to all investors for your commitment to our growth, our prosperity and economic development. Peter Drucker said it best. The ultimate resource in economic development is people. It is people, not capital or raw materials that develop an economy.
Fortunately, for Rio Grande City, Roma, La Grulla, Escobares and all of Starr County strong, we are rich in human capital, so thank you to everyone, past, present and future who has, is and will contribute to the success of our communities.
In the words of John F. Kennedy, complacency is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth. So let us forge our path forward for progress and prosperity abounds at every turn.
We are gradually ascending as the green energy capital of Texas. We have international land ports of entry in Rio Grande City and Roma, billions of dollars in trade, every conceivable commodity and service with Destination Anywhere, USA. We have a strong and young workforce. Our cost of living is below the national average by a whopping 24 percent. Our business community is strongly recovering, and our sales taxes are at unprecedented, historical, highs.
Our city finances are the strongest ever in our existence. Our medical community is ever so expanding. We have invested millions of dollars in infrastructure to sustain and support any and all future developments. Safety is priority one, highlighted by local, state and federal laws enforcement agencies working together to safeguard the public. And our educational system is strong, anchored by first rate institutions of learning, South Texas College, UTRGV, Rio Grande City (ISD), La Grulla ISD, Roma ISD, San Isidro ISD, IDEA Public Schools, Immaculate Conception. So it is, without question, that our communities are bursting at the seams with progress.
Now, bear in mind, Rio Grande Village is a regional development. Therefore we extend an open invitation to our friends and neighbors from Roma, La Grulla, Escobares, all of Starr County, Hidalgo and Zapata counties, and we certainly extend an open invitation to our friends and neighbors from Mexico.
Nuestra casa es su casa. Nuestros amigos y hermanos, amigas y hermanas de Miguel Aleman, Camargo, Diaz Ordaz, Monterrey, Mier. Muchisimas gracias por acompañarnos el dia de hoy y cuenten con el apoyo y colaboracion de nuestra hermosa y gran de ciudad de Rio Grande City y los municipios de Roma, La Grulla, Escobares y de todo el Condado Starr.
Now let us forge the future of our region, for history will reflect the significance of this day as the catalyst for unprecedented growth and prosperity throughout our communities. And let us forever remain internationally regionally and locally proud, strong and one. Thank you and God Bless.
Editor’s Note: The above commentary was given by Rio Grande City Mayor Joel Villarreal at a recent groundbreaking ceremony for the multi-million dollar Rio Grande Village retail project.
Editor’s Note: The main image accompanying the above commentary shows Rio Grande City Mayor Joel Villarreal. (Photo courtesy: Rio Grande City EDC)
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