Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
Mission, Texas, is on the cusp of a major transformation following the City Council’s approval of El Milagro Subdivision Phase I, a 176-acre master-planned community spearheaded by Killam Development. The project, which recently received final plat approval, is expected to bring approximately 2,000 new residents to the city.
Teclo Garcia, President and CEO of the Mission Economic Development Corporation, described the project as “one of the most significant residential expansions in Mission in recent years.” He explained that “this large 176-acre residential project…could bring up to 2,000 new residents to the city,” noting its scale and potential impact on the region’s growth trajectory.
Phase I of El Milagro will include 500+ dwellings, 347 single-family homes, with additional plans for about 200 townhomes and apartments. City planning records show that the subdivision incorporates civic spaces, commercial lots, drainage infrastructure, and green space. Wide sidewalks and interconnected streets are designed to support walkability and foster a strong neighborhood feel. “El Milagro will also feature approximately 200 townhomes and apartments, in addition to the homes,” Garcia confirmed.
In addition to its residential offerings, the development will introduce a commercial component. “Killam is starting work on nearly 30 acres of commercial and retail development next to El Milagro’s residential area,” Garcia said. He called the project “a master-planned, walkable community with wide sidewalks and green spaces—excited for what’s to come!”
The City of Mission expects El Milagro to reshape development along the Anzalduas Highway corridor and serve as a model for large-scale growth across Hidalgo County.
Killam Development, a century-strong, family-owned real estate company, has played a prominent role in South Texas development since its founding in Laredo in 1920 by O. W. Killam. While initially an oil exploration firm, the company has evolved into a diversified developer across various sectors, including industrial, commercial, residential, and land development. In 2019, Killam acquired 3,400 acres of land spanning Mission and McAllen from Hunt Valley Development—a purchase that cemented its long-term investment in the Rio Grande Valley.
El Milagro is Killam’s flagship project in Mission, part of a 3,400-acre vision to create walkable neighborhoods, retail hubs, trails, and green spaces designed with sustainable urban planning principles. Alongside residential growth, the company is driving industrial expansion through initiatives such as Sharyland Business Park, a 175-acre development located near the Anzalduas International Bridge, aimed at attracting manufacturing, logistics, and cold storage operations.
Killam’s recent leasing success in Mission further accentuates its regional influence. The company received CoStar Group’s 2025 “Lease of the Year” Impact Award for securing a 64,539-square-foot lease with GDB International. This move bolstered Mission’s industrial sector and positioned the city as a growing hub for international commerce.
Cliffe Killam, President & CEO of Killam Development, has praised Mission’s business environment, calling it “the best city we have ever worked in.” He attributed the company’s confidence in the city to its “strategic location, proactive leadership, and business-friendly environment.”
Guided by its fourth generation of family leadership, Killam Development emphasizes long-term, sustainable regional growth. Its executive team, including COO Dr. Rolando Ortiz, actively participates in regional development forums, reinforcing the company’s vision of Mission as a catalyst for both economic and community advancement.
With El Milagro now moving forward, Mission stands at a defining moment in its growth. The combination of new housing, retail development, and industrial expansion positions the city as a dynamic center of opportunity in the Rio Grande Valley—where, as Garcia noted, residents can look forward to “a master-planned, walkable community” that reflects the city’s momentum and ambition.
