Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
McALLEN, Texas – Leaders from government, industry, education, and healthcare gathered at the McAllen MXLAN Economic Summit 2026 to discuss the future of the regional binational economy and the role of technology, workforce development, and collaboration in shaping growth in South Texas and Northern Mexico.
The summit opened with welcoming remarks from Tony Aguirre, a McAllen city commissioner, who emphasized the region’s entrepreneurial culture and the importance of partnerships and investment.
“We’re going to talk about opportunities, and it’s because of the culture and the entrepreneurship in this region that, if we don’t have something, we can develop it,” Aguirre said. “It will take partnerships, and it will take investment, without a doubt. But this is our future, and there is no stopping this area.”
Aguirre said the region’s development extends beyond the city itself. “This is not only about McAllen; it’s about the entire Rio Grande Valley and Northern Mexico. We’re all in this together, because it is our youth who will benefit from every decision and everything we do.”
Ike Tawil, McAllen city manager, said the region is positioned for continued growth and stressed the importance of collaboration. “This is an incredible region that is ready to explode,” Tawil said. “The important topics you are going to hear about today and that you will hear from the city over the next year are things that we hope you will draw on and use in your investments and endeavors in McAllen and throughout the region.”
Tawil said the city often leads regional initiatives but emphasized that the benefits extend across borders. “This is not just about McAllen,” he said. “We often carry the heavy load and lead the way, but we hope these pathways that we are forging benefit us, our neighbors, and those even south of the border.”
He also acknowledged the leadership of Javier Villalobos, mayor of McAllen, and members of the city commission.
State-level perspectives were provided by Aaron Demerson of the Texas Economic Development Corporation and Albert Treviño of the Texas Workforce Commission.
Demerson highlighted Texas’s economic performance and national rankings. “In Texas, we often say it ain’t bragging if it’s true,” Demerson said. “The fact of the matter is that we’re taking care of business, and those are stats and facts that really resonate and make a difference.”
Treviño discussed workforce challenges and the need to expand training models. “Apprenticeships have been around for centuries, and why? Because they work,” Trevino said. “Apprenticeships aren’t just for plumbers, electricians, and welders. We need to think outside the box.”
The summit featured two panel discussions focused on emerging technologies. The first addressed the integration of artificial intelligence in advanced manufacturing, while the second examined AI’s expanding role in healthcare.
During a keynote presentation, Joanne Wang discussed the impact of artificial intelligence on the future of work and emphasized the importance of leadership and culture in technology adoption. “This whole AI implementation transformation is not an IT project. It is a cultural project,” Wang said. “If we take people, human, out of the equation, what does technology mean? It means nothing.”
The event concluded with an inspirational address from journalist John Quiñones, host of the television program What Would You Do?. Quiñones spoke about ethical decision-making and shared lessons from his career.
“It’s not what we do when everyone’s watching. That’s easy,” Quiñones said. “It’s what we do even when no one is watching. It’s all about doing the right thing.”
Organizers said the summit aimed to bring together leaders from across sectors to explore economic opportunities, technological change, and the workforce strategies needed to sustain growth in the Rio Grande Valley and the binational region.
