Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
The Mission Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the City of Mission have taken bold steps to preserve one of the Rio Grande Valley’s most iconic landmarks. As announced by Teclo Garcia, CEO of Mission EDC, the Cimarron Country Club—once the heart of social, sporting, and business life on both sides of the Rio Grande—has been officially purchased and is now up for sale.
Teclo Garcia expressed his admiration for Mission Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza, the Mission City Council, the Mission EDC board, and the Cimarron Homeowners Association (HOA) for their decisive action in acquiring the once-deteriorating club. Given Mission’s rapid development and growing economic footprint, he recognized the move as courageous and essential.
“A crumbling, unkempt country club on Mission’s most high-profile road doesn’t fit the image of growth and progress. Someone had to step in,” said Garcia.
The Founding of Cimarron: A Businessman’s Vision
This reporter was one of the many original members of the Cimarron Club in the 1980s. The club was built on the foundations of visionary business leaders like Mike Frost and Adriana LeDuke, the general manager. Under their stewardship, Cimarron flourished as a premier venue for networking, social events, and athletic excellence.
Cimarron was not just a golf course; it was a place where deals were made, friendships were forged, and the community came together. “An iconic Valley landmark that for ages was the center of society, events, and sport for its residents and scores of others on both sides of the Rio Grande, Teclo noted.
A Community Asset in Need of Revival. Over the years, Cimarron faced challenges that led to its decline. However, Mission’s unprecedented economic growth calls for a transformation. According to Teclo, Mission has been attracting a wave of new investors, with retail sales and household incomes growing at record levels in the RGV. This trajectory made restoring the integrity of one of Mission’s most high-profile properties imperative.
“Every day, we talk to investors looking at Mission to locate or expand factories, warehouses, restaurants, and stores,” Garcia stated.
Recognizing the importance of image and progress, city leaders strategically decided to rescue Cimarron before it deteriorated further.
With the acquisition, the Mission EDC is now actively marketing Cimarron for sale. This presents a unique opportunity for investors, developers, and entrepreneurs to reimagine the club’s future—whether as a revived country club, a mixed-use development, or a community-oriented recreational space.
“Stay tuned for more details as the Cimarron is on the market and the MEDC unveils its marketing plan and materials for this Valley gem,” Garcia wrote.
