The City Expanded at record rate in 2013
By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez
Texas Border Business
MISSION February 2014–- The City of Mission is an example of a great City, with a strong base built by design. Ever since the last US Census report in 2010, nothing but good news comes out of Mission.
The census report indicated that Mission’s population growth was of almost 80% during a ten-year period, and that has no precedent in my book.
Now, according to a report, the City of Mission drew $107.86 million in new building and construction in 2013, growing the fastest in at least five years and adding millions of dollars in new businesses, new homes and new manufacturing facilities. The city’s construction valuation for last year more than doubles (125%) 2012’s $47.84 million in new building.
Mission recorded $39.62 million in residential construction last year, an 11.8 percent jump over 2012, according to statistics compiled by the Rio Grande Valley Partnership for cities across the region. The report also showed a significant increase in commercial construction: $68.24 million in 2013 over 2012’s $12.29million.
Alex Meade, the Chief Executive Officer for Mission Economic Development Corporation told Texas Border Business, “Mission continues to be a smart location for building a business or raising a family.” He continued to say, “The Mayor, City Commission and the EDC Board have worked to improve the city’s quality of life and improve Mission’s climate for business and it looks like it’s working well.”
In 2013, Mission was a viable place for residential and multi-family developers as several projects sprouted up continuing to fill existing neighborhoods and raw land. Commercially, Royal Technologies, an advanced engineering and manufacturing company, was responsible for the lion’s share of the city’s commercial construction valuation by building a 360,000 square-foot facility worth several million dollars.
In April of 2012 Jim Vander Kolk, President, Royal Technologies Corporation, said that after much consideration between Mission and other sites, the company has chosen to expand its operations in Mission, Texas.
At that time, Mayor Norberto “Beto” Salinas told Texas Border Business, “Royal Technologies Corporation’s expansion into Mission is a testament to the prosperous business climate that this region offers,”
The city’s 2013 residential and commercial construction numbers compare favorable across the Rio Grande Valley; however, it’s apparent that the growth experienced from one year to the next was second to none amongst the bigger cities.
| City or Area | 2013 Permits | 2012 Permits | $ Growth | % Growth |
| Brownsville | $120.9m | $88.1m | $32.8m | 37.2% |
| McAllen | $150.3m | $172.3m | (-$22.0m) | (-14.6%) |
| Edinburg | $123.2m | $100.4m | $22.8m | 22.7% |
| Mission | $107.8m | $47.8m | $60.0m | 125.5% |
| Pharr | $87.7m | $121.3m | (-$33.6m) | (-38.3%) |
| Harlingen | $150.3m | $100.4m | $49.9m | 49.7% |
