Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
The City of Pharr gathered to mark the groundbreaking of a new 31,000-square-foot facility by SRS Distribution, a nearly $5 million investment hailed as a milestone in economic growth and community partnership. Once citrus orchards that shaped the Valley’s agricultural identity, the land now represents a bridge between history and the future of commerce.
The ceremony opened with words from the Mistress of Ceremonies, who framed the day as more than just a construction launch. “On behalf of the Pharr EDC, thank you for joining us as we celebrate this exciting milestone,” she said. “SRS development represents more than just construction. It’s a symbol of collaboration, investment, and the promise of a stronger future. We are proud to stand alongside our partners who have made this possible.”
Victor Perez, President and CEO of the Pharr Economic Development Corporation, shared his enthusiasm with attendees. “Good morning. What a beautiful day. And know it, God has blessed us with, you know… I’d rather be here than anywhere else,” Perez said. He acknowledged city leadership, including the mayor, who was unable to attend due to professional obligations, and highlighted the collective effort behind the project.
Perez emphasized the scale and significance of the facility. “When you talk about an almost $5 million investment, a 31,000 square foot facility, this is beautiful because it creates job creation, property tax, and sales tax. I mean, it is just something that the community benefits from,” he stated. “We want you to come in and invest with us. We believe you won’t find this kind of service anywhere else.”
From SRS Distribution, Regional Vice President Clayton Hatten expressed both relief and pride at reaching this stage after years of planning. “We finally got it across the line,” Hatten remarked with a smile. “Obviously, we’ve made a little bit more progress than just breaking ground. But that’s very exciting.” He underscored the company’s growth trajectory, noting, “We are the fastest growing outdoor living distributor in the country, and we plan to uphold that reputation here. We look forward to employing many and taking really good care of the people of Pharr, Texas.”
The project also carries a deeply personal significance for the Hamlin family, longtime stewards of the land. Taylor Hamlin, representing Hamlin Pools, took a moment to reflect on the property’s history and family roots. “I’d like to begin by honoring our grandmother, Jackie Hamlin. She wasn’t able to make it today, but without her, none of this would’ve been possible. Her strength, her support, and vision alongside our grandfather laid the foundation for everything we celebrate today,” Hamlin said.
Tracing back nearly 80 years, Hamlin recounted how his grandfather, Pancho Hamlin, acquired the land from his father-in-law in the 1940s when it was an orchard. “Kids ran through these orchards. They worked the land, they played on horses, and occasionally they threw some rotten fruit at each other when they could get away with it,” he recalled. The home that once stood on the site was eventually lost to a hurricane and highway expansion, but the family business endured and expanded.
“For the next 60 years, Hamlin Pools grew into not only a pool and service company, but also a trusted distributor of swimming pool parts, whole goods, and chemicals for other pool companies across the Valley and into Mexico,” Hamlin said. The decision to partner with SRS Distribution represents, in his words, “more than just a warehouse. It’s a full circle moment for us… a continuation of our family’s story and our company’s legacy on this land.”
As the groundbreaking concluded, Hamlin emphasized the symbolic weight of the day. “We’re not just building a warehouse on the eve of Hamlin Pool’s 75th anniversary in business. We’re also laying the foundation for the next 75 years in this community,” he said.
The event closed with the ceremonial turning of soil, a gesture uniting past and future. What was once fertile citrus land now stands poised to host a new chapter of economic growth, jobs, and community investment — a reminder that history and progress often share the same ground.
