Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business
The City of Pharr celebrated a decade of transformation at its 2026 State of the City address, where Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez described the community as “bold, breaking barriers” and outlined continued plans for progress. The annual event, hosted by Adrian Vila, opened with a presentation of colors, the national anthem, and an invocation, followed by videos showcasing Pharr’s partnerships, achievements, and residents.
Mayor Hernandez delivered a keynote using a James Bond theme, saying his administration’s mission was to fight “villains” such as complacency and lack of vision. “Complacency, lack of leadership, lack of vision, and lack of morale, and settling for less than the best — that is not how we do things here at Pharr,” he said. “Here in Pharr, we’re your very own 007s, fighting for a better life for you.”
Financially, the city reported a strong position. Pharr approved a balanced $290 million budget with a surplus exceeding $11 million and set aside $10 million in reserves. Hernandez said the city’s finances reflected careful management and “strong financial stability.”
A centerpiece of the mayor’s address was Pharr Connect, the city’s broadband utility. It now serves more than half of local homes and has begun connecting businesses. The program’s success has helped launch “Pharr Connect U,” a tuition-free broadband workforce training school funded by a $4.8 million state grant. The initiative will train residents to become fiber-optic technicians in the digital infrastructure sector.
Education remains a cornerstone of Pharr’s growth strategy. The city donated $1 million to help establish the PossAble Dream Adult High School, the first tuition-free adult high school of its kind in South Texas, and partnered with RGV College to celebrate its 100th vocational nursing cohort. “Providing education opportunities beyond Pharr continues to be our priority,” the mayor said, calling education “the true foundation of our economy.”
Public safety results were also a highlight. Pharr’s crime rate dropped by 22.2 percent, and its emergency medical services expanded to provide 911 coverage for the neighboring city of San Juan. The Pharr Police Department’s Mental Health Unit earned the 2025 Martha Arbuckle Award from the Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities, the only law enforcement agency in the state to receive the honor.
Economic development was another key theme. The city celebrated the grand opening of the Rio Grande Valley’s first IKEA store, a $4.5 million project that created over 40 jobs, and broke ground on a new SRS Distribution Center with a similar investment. “We are constantly looking for new and better ways forward,” Hernandez said, noting that such projects support a growing retail and logistics economy.
The mayor also announced several future infrastructure projects, including a renovation of the golf clubhouse, installation of five artificial-turf sports fields, major improvements at Jones Box Park, and a new “state-of-the-art, multi-use facility.” Hernandez said these projects reflect investment “in the families who call Pharr home.”
Over the past decade, Pharr has secured more than $100 million in grants from federal, state, and foundation sources. In the last year alone, the city received over $8 million for broadband training, tree-canopy expansion, public safety, and health initiatives. “That’s free money to Pharr and a great investment,” the mayor said.
The event concluded with awards recognizing outstanding service. Evelyn Cano received the Polo Palacios Service Award for her advocacy through the Disability Chamber of Commerce RGV. The same organization was honored with the first “Heart of Our Community Award.” The Finance Department earned the Department of the Year for managing the city’s budget and maintaining its surplus.
Looking ahead, Hernandez said Pharr will continue to innovate while staying true to its roots. “So, as I stand before you today, I am proud to announce that the state of the city of Pharr continues to be bold, breaking barriers, and we’re just getting started,” he said.
See related story:
