Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez
In late 2019, Killam Development, a privately held, family-owned business with over a century of history in South Texas, acquired approximately 3,400 acres of land spanning Mission and McAllen from Hunt Valley Development. This acquisition marked the beginning of a major expansion effort by the Laredo-based company, setting the stage for a game-changing, multi-use master-planned development in one of the fastest-growing regions in the state.
With nearly six years of progress since the purchase, Killam’s vision is already becoming a reality. The land is being transformed into a community that reflects modern planning principles and long-term sustainability. Plans include walkable neighborhoods, green spaces, trails, residential and commercial areas, and connections to key community features like education centers and entertainment districts. The development aims to create a place where people of all ages can live, work, and play.
On May 28, 2025, the Mission Economic Development Corporation (Mission EDC) hosted a Commercial and Investment Virtual Tour at the Center for Education and Economic Development (CEED). The event spotlighted four prominent developers playing a significant role in shaping Mission’s economic landscape. Killam Real Estate was represented by its Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Roland Ortiz, who offered insights into the company’s active projects and enduring commitment to the region.
“We’ve been in business for over a hundred years,” Dr. Ortiz said, reflecting on the company’s legacy that began in oil and gas and has since expanded to include many real estate ventures. “We’re now in our fourth generation of family leadership. We develop residential subdivisions, build homes, construct and lease industrial warehouses, and are active in the commercial field.”
Killam Development’s investments in Hidalgo County are broad and diverse. “We’re doing a big industrial park that’s about 175 acres here in Mission,” Ortiz noted. “We’re doing another 175-acre mixed-use project called Milagro. We’ve built townhomes, developed infill residential lots, and even operate a shopping center in Sharyland Plantation.”
The company’s development strategy is grounded in a clear belief in the region’s potential. “We’re very bullish on it,” Ortiz said. “We’re in Laredo, we’re in the Valley, we’re in Hidalgo County—and we’ve been developing along the border for a long time. We’re strong believers in the border.”
Mission’s proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border and its positioning within key trade and logistics routes give it a competitive edge. Ortiz emphasized that this is one of the reasons Killam sees such value in the region. “Especially with the near-shoring that was being talked about earlier today,” he said, referring to a growing trend where companies are relocating production closer to the U.S. to improve supply chain reliability. “It’s a driving factor in growing the industrial base here, bringing more people to the region.”
Ortiz acknowledged that, like any development effort, the region faces some uncertainties. “There’s a little uncertainty right now with the tariff talk,” he said, “but I think all that will calm down. And in the long term, we believe in the continued industrial growth along the border.”
In McAllen, Killam has already completed an 80-acre industrial park. In Mission, beyond the major Milagro development, Killam continues to invest in commercial and residential growth. The company’s comprehensive, multi-sector strategy positions it as a major force in real estate development and regional economic transformation.
The company’s work is facilitated by strong local cooperation. “Mission in particular has been very good to our organization,” Ortiz said. “It’s a great place to do work. They understand the state’s economic development tools, which help engage investment.”
This kind of support from local leadership, combined with Mission’s strategic location and cross-border connectivity, gives Killam confidence in its future growth. The region’s business environment welcomes and responds to forward-thinking development initiatives.
Killam’s projects are about construction and building enduring value for communities. “We love the Rio Grande Valley,” Ortiz said. “And we’re here to stay.”
As Killam Development continues to roll out its long-term vision in Mission, its legacy of family-led enterprise, commitment to smart growth, and belief in the border region are driving real, visible change. The company’s footprint is expanding, but its focus remains deeply rooted in creating communities that serve people and strengthen South Texas’s position as a growing economic hub.
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