WESLACO, Texas - The Rio Grande Valley Broadband Coalition held a workshop at the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council offices in Weslaco on May 28, 2026.
Part of the workshop featured a discussion on what communities should ask for before allowing hyperscale data center developers to build in their area. RGV Broadband Coalition Director Jordana Barton-Garcia moderated the discussion.
"Development is already happening. What we need is community, local government, employers, and anchor institutions working together to create and claim regional economic benefits and shared prosperity. Together we are a force," Barton-Garcia said.
Community group La Unión del Pueblo Entero is a member of the RGV Broadband Coalition. The group's director of development, Amber Arriaga-Salinas, participated in the workshop. Arriaga-Salinas said LUPE is strongly in favor of fiber-optic broadband. "Let's get everyone connected," she said. However, LUPE has major concerns about data centers, Arriaga-Salinas said. Here are her remarks:
Here is an audio recording of part of the group's discussions:
The RGV Broadband Coalition made its slideshow presentation available to Rio Grande Guardian readers. Here it is:
