By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez
As originally published by Texas Border Business newsprint edition January 2020
The Rio Grande Valley has grown exponentially in every aspect, especially the economy. I remember how the peso devaluations of the 80s and 90s practically destroyed our modus vivendi. Unemployment in U.S. border areas peaked in 1982 after Mexico’s peso devaluation, which resulted in depressed economic activity in the U.S. southern border areas.Â
2020, the end of the first or beginning of the second decade of the new century, presents a new set of economic threats. There is violence in Mexico, which started approximately in 2006 and interrupted about eleven years of consecutive growth in South Texas. Then there is the congestion at the international bridges all along the U.S./Mexico Border.
To talk about these challenges, I spoke to McAllen Mayor Jim Darling. He is our Exclusive in this month’s issue.
He told Texas Border Business that he can do nothing about the violence in Mexico. However, concerning the Anzalduas International Bridge, he and the board are doing everything in their power to make it more efficient by allowing commercial traffic. That is easy to say, being able to do it is another thing altogether.
First, as in everything, money is needed to make things move fast. They have requested money from the federal and state governments, but you know how it is, it’s easier to send billions of dollars to the middle east, than fund projects that benefit the U.S. border. Read more about the challenges Mayor Darling faces to keep McAllen moving forward. There will be subsequent reports originated from my conversation with Mayor Darling. So, we’ll start with this one.
On another note, join the McAllen Chamber All About Women Committee, the City of McAllen, the Law Office of John David Franz, and Shah Eye Center at the Legendary Businesswomen’s Luncheon scheduled for Wednesday, January 23, from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm at the McAllen Radisson Hotel Airport.Â
Three successful McAllen businesswomen will be honored as they are given the opportunity to discuss their journeys to success.
Good News: Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced a $13,856,191 award in federal funding for the Hidalgo County Head Start Program. Head Start is a federal program that promotes school’s readiness for pre-school children from low-income families.
The Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley will be hosting its annual Farm Dinner from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm, Saturday, January 25, 2020, at the Food Bank RGV located at 724 N. Cage Blvd. in Pharr.  Proceeds from the Farm Dinner will help support the Gem Valley Farm, a community garden at the Food Bank RGV.  Tickets for this popular fundraiser are available at www.foodbankrgv.com and are expected to be sold out.
Get ready to participate in the Valley Alliance of Mentors for Opportunities and Scholarships (VAMOS) and celebrate with them 24 years of impacting the lives of Valley students through education.
VAMOS is inviting you to be part of this highly anticipated 24th Annual VAMOS Golf Tournament on Saturday, March 7, 2020, at the Palm View Golf Course in McAllen. Save the date now!
There is more in this special issue, enjoy!
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