MCALLEN, Texas - Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez says the Rio Grande Valley needs to change the narrative surrounding the region if it truly wants to become a prosperous area for current and future generations.
Cortez spoke to local leaders and elected officials gathered at the McAllen Convention Center for “Hidalgo County: Gateway to Prosperity,” the event title for his 2025 State of the County address.
He began his speech by reflecting on how far the Valley has come since the last State of the County address in 2013. Back then, the population was estimated to be around 775,000; now it is said to be over 1 million. Three different metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) represented Brownsville, Harlingen-San Benito, and Hidalgo; now one – the RGV MPO – petitions for the entire area. The University of Texas Pan American and the University of Texas at Brownsville were competing at different ends of the region for students; now the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is receiving grants for cancer research through its medical school. While so much has changed for the better, Cortez says the work is not finished.
“Over the last decade, we have seen the Texas economy flourish,” said Cortez. “In fact, economists call it ‘The Texas Miracle.’ But, we still have not reached our full potential.”
Moving forward to where Hidalgo County stands now, Cortez turned to the four county commissioners to speak about the “heavy lifting” they are doing for their respective precincts. Through pre-recorded video messages, Precinct 1 Commissioner David Fuentes; Precinct 2 Commissioner Eduardo “Eddie” Cantú; Precinct 3 Commissioner Everardo “Ever” Villarreal; and Precinct Commissioner 4 Ellie Torres spoke about specific and ongoing projects for residents like drainage improvements and the opening of parks and resource centers. Cortez praised the commissioners for their hard work and advocacy on behalf of their constituents, noting that infrastructure was a “key component to prosperity” for communities.
“Believe me when I say this: of all the blessings I have received as your county judge, probably the best has been the privilege of working alongside such an exceptional group of commissioners,” said Cortez.
To further explain the complexity of drainage and flood mitigation in the county, Raul E. Sesin, general manager of Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1, was also featured in a video message to break down the main problems and possible solutions in laymen’s terms. He also updated the audience on the North Main Drain project, the largest undertaking at the district now.
Cortez was quick to emphasize that all the work was accomplished while still keeping a balanced budget, boasting that of the county’s $316 million budget, $150 million has been saved for future needs.
“I want to make sure that we are clear that all projects have been accomplished while not increasing the tax rate,” said Cortez. “As your county judge, I believe our first responsibility is to be good stewards of your money. As a court, we have to work together to ensure that we are minimizing waste and maximizing the results.”
Cortez also updated attendees on the status of the Hidalgo County Courthouse. Without giving an exact timeline, he confirmed that the old courthouse will be demolished and a 260-space parking garage will be built in its place. Additionally, upcoming beautification projects around the courthouse will include landscaping, water features and art installations. Hidalgo County District Attorney Toribio “Terry” Palacios spoke via video message about the high-tech capabilities of the courtrooms and said the courthouse was “one of the most beautiful” in which he has had the privilege to practice.
After all the updates, Cortez spoke of many challenges the Valley still faces. Of most concern to him is the upward mobility of its residents.
“We have some pretty significant challenges that we must confront,” said Cortez. “Chief among those is poverty. It is somewhat ironic that while we serve the economic engine of the Texas economy, we find ourselves constantly battling poverty in our community.”
In 2022, Cortez formed the Prosperity Task Force with the goals of identifying and serving the neediest in the community; preparing, educating and training them for gainful employment; and attracting more businesses and employers to the area. About 160 local leaders across different sectors make up the collective, which is divided into 14 subgroups with narrow focuses like housing, counseling and economic data. One of these subgroups, dubbed the “CEO Group,” includes the heads of various Valley companies tasked with finding ways to bring investment into the region.
“I know that we are the government,” said Cortez. “But, if you really want to make progress, get business people together and ask them to look for opportunities.”
Joaquin Spamer, president of CiL Capital Development Solutions and CEO Group member, agreed, encouraging other business leaders to get civically involved for a more collaborative effort in attracting investment to the Valley.
“We cannot leave the responsibility of prosperity to the government officials,” said Spamer via video message. “We have to do our part.”
One of the biggest developments to sprout from the CEO Group has been the establishment of RioPlex, an organization dedicated to promoting the Valley and Northern Tamaulipas as one unique geographic area ripe with opportunity. Cortez praised Spamer, RioPlex’s founder, as well as RioPlex Executive Director Mario Reyna for their leadership, saying regional strategy with our largest trading partner, Mexico, is “the best way to go forward.”
“We must compete globally to attract, not only commerce, but the investment of industries that understand the value of unique geography,” said Cortez. “This must be our narrative. It cannot simply be to sell individual cities. It must be to sell the entire South Texas and Northern Mexico area. This approach will yield better results.”
A video produced by RioPlex was played to demonstrate the type of promotion they are creating for the region. Cortez praised the video, which showcased SpaceX and some advanced manufacturing operations in the Valley and Mexico. He noted that what drew these innovative companies here is what sets us apart from the rest of the nation: our natural resources, infrastructure and culture.
“We are the gateway to three of the largest economies in the world: Texas, Mexico and the United States,” said Cortez. “We are the front door to a global market, a bridge to a dependable supply chain, a conduit to a reliable food chain. We are the path to vibrant, international commerce that can enhance the economic prospects, not only for our region, but for the entire country. We are the gateway to prosperity.”
He added, “No county and no city can take claim to all of that, but Rioplex can.”
To close, Cortez thanked the “strong, compassionate individuals” in elected positions that have worked hard to uplift the Valley to where it is today. He also thanked all the leaders of education institutions, proudly stating that Region One graduates over 15,000 students each year. But, he paused to reflect on their future and the investment in human capital that needs to be made for them and for the future of the region.
“We must have a plan for our students for us to reach our full potential,” said Cortez. “…Too often the best and brightest of these students leave our region to pursue career opportunities that they cannot pursue here. We must create those opportunities for them.”
Cortez says that investment includes training and recruiting for the jobs of the future as well as making quality of life improvements.
Still, after all the events the region has endured since the last State of the County – Hurricane Hanna, the Great Texas Freeze, and the pandemic – Cortez is confident that the community will again come together to do what needs to be done. He called residents an “inspiration,” and said they are truly what the Valley is about, not what is sensationalized on the news.
“These historic challenges that we have had to endure over the past few years are challenges that none of us could have faced alone,” said Cortez. “How we treat each other shows who we are. Hidalgo County is a place of care, faith and resilience.”
Cortez said the future of Hidalgo County and the Valley rests in taking back this narrative and showing the rest of the country, and world, what untapped potential lies in our region.
“We will plan together,” said Cortez. “We will make adjustments together. We will succeed together, not because the path is easy, but because we refuse to quit until we reclaim our narrative and are recognized around the world for our excellence.”
To watch the full State of the County address, click here.
