Edinburg Hosts STAC Conference: A Push for Economic Development Across South Texas

In a bid to foster economic development and industrial growth in the region, the South Texas Alliance of Cities (STAC) convened in Edinburg, drawing authorities from McAllen, Edinburg, Mission, Weslaco, Brownsville, and San Antonio, Texas. The meeting, chaired by Edinburg Mayor Ramiro Garza, highlighted the collaborative efforts aimed at attracting investments and enhancing competitive advantages. "This alliance was created to work together with San Antonio and all the cities of the Rio Grande Valley. We aim to attract more funds to generate new competitive advantages, for example, with infrastructure, so that we can economically empower ourselves."

Mayors from various cities, including Javier Villalobos of McAllen, Ramiro Garza of Edinburg, Norie Gonzalez Garza of Mission, Ron Nirenberg of San Antonio, Adrian Gonzalez of Weslaco, and Brownsville City Commissioner Bryan L. Martinez, participated in the gathering.

A pivotal agenda item was the discussion surrounding the necessity of establishing stronger connections between the Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio, Texas, through an interstate highway. This development is anticipated to bolster the commercial, tourism, and logistics sectors. "It is a necessity to connect our region with San Antonio in a more direct way. The creation of this infrastructure is a project we are already working on and will be beneficial not only for tourism but also for commerce, which could reduce transportation costs, save time, and make exchanges more efficient," emphasized Mayor Garza.

The meeting also shed light on the presence of universities and professional training centers in the region, along with the accessibility of housing costs, burgeoning job opportunities, and overall quality of life. "The alliance we have formed as mayors is recognized by the authorities, and that drives us to continue working to promote the region and its opportunities," concluded Mayor Garza of Edinburg.