Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
In a concerted effort to fuel regional growth and tackle socioeconomic challenges, Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortéz spearheads the Hidalgo County Prosperity Task Force, an initiative crafted in February 2020 to uplift the region through strategic collaboration and problem-solving.
Judge Cortéz, an instrumental figure in the initiative, recently addressed a forum co-hosted by Futuro RGV and The Hidalgo County Prosperity Task Force at South Texas College. This forum, entitled “Building a Thriving RGV/The Hidalgo County Prosperity Task Force Forum,” brought together diverse regional leaders from sectors such as media, technology, advanced education, and economic growth. The meeting served as a platform for these stakeholders to align their resources and expertise to overcome the region’s socioeconomic issues.
Judge Cortéz emphasized the mutual relationship between the community and the economy. He drew attention to the region’s high levels of underemployment and poverty, suggesting that by improving these conditions, the local economy would also flourish. To facilitate this transformation, the focus should be on creating “human capital” within this demographic, according to Cortéz.
Despite the region’s capacity to produce such capital, Hidalgo County has witnessed a worrying 46% domestic outmigration, pointing to the lack of local opportunities. This blunt statistic underscores the need for job creation, particularly the kind of jobs that meet the evolving needs and aspirations of the local workforce.
The Prosperity Task Force aims to boost job opportunities through a coordinated approach involving various economic development agencies. Judge Cortéz encouraged these agencies to continue their valuable work while integrating additional directives to better serve the community’s needs.
Another significant challenge highlighted by Cortéz was the region’s cultural mindset, specifically the lack of motivation among some community members to take available jobs or to engage in free education. Addressing this issue forms an integral part of the Task Force’s goals.
Despite these challenges, Cortéz remained optimistic about the Task Force’s ability to effect change, emphasizing that success is not optional, but rather a necessity in today’s competitive global landscape. As part of this effort, the Task Force seeks to provide comprehensive support to those eager to progress, including guidance and mentorship to help individuals make informed decisions about their career paths.
An example was provided of “Juan,” a theoretical individual looking to transition into accounting. Through the Task Force’s approach, Juan would be provided with career guidance, mentorship, financial support, and ultimately, a job within his chosen field. This comprehensive, segmented approach considers the multiple hurdles individuals like Juan face on their path to betterment.
In conclusion, Judge Cortéz stressed that the Prosperity Task Force’s work is a massive undertaking. Still, by dividing it into manageable pieces and focusing on specific areas, they hope to build a “championship team” for Hidalgo County. In his words, they are “building a thriving RGV” for a prosperous future.
