South Texas Mayors Advance Regional Agenda to Strengthen Infrastructure, Energy, and Economic Development

Mayors from the leading cities in South Texas agreed that the region’s economic growth will depend on greater coordination to address strategic challenges such as water supply, electrical capacity, infrastructure, and workforce readiness.

During the quarterly meeting of the South Texas Alliance of Cities (STAC), held in Edinburg, mayors from several cities met with members of the Texas Legislature to define regional priorities and strengthen collaboration with state and federal governments.

Topics discussed included investments in infrastructure and transportation, economic development, workforce training, public safety, border issues, higher education, and the management of water resources.

Water and Energy Are the Main Challenges for South Texas Growth

McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos explained that the purpose of the meeting was to share experiences and solutions among cities to address common challenges.

“We are looking at economic issues, drainage, water, and other matters. Some cities have problems that others have already found solutions for, and the idea is to work together,” he said.

Villalobos emphasized that the rapid industrial growth of the Rio Grande Valley requires cities to plan ahead for the availability of strategic services, particularly electricity and water.

Although he said McAllen is not currently facing energy capacity issues, he acknowledged that an increase in new industrial investment could generate greater demand in the coming years.

“We know that challenge is on the horizon. We are working with the electric utilities so they can develop the necessary infrastructure and ensure that we are prepared when new projects arrive,” he said.

South Texas Cities Strengthen a Regional Infrastructure Agenda

Brownsville Mayor John Cowen Jr. said regional cooperation strengthens the cities’ ability to secure funding for strategic projects.

He explained that the region’s main shared needs include strengthening the power grid, securing water supplies, expanding infrastructure, and improving education.

“It is much easier to work together and speak with the state or the federal government to request funding. When we speak as a region, our voice carries much more weight,” he said.

The mayor noted that several regional projects are currently focused on expanding drinking water infrastructure, treatment plants, new supply sources, and transportation projects coordinated with the regional metropolitan planning organization, or MPO.

Cowen said Brownsville is already beginning to see the results of major investments recently announced in sectors such as aerospace, energy, and naval construction for defense.

He added that these projects strengthen the position of South Texas as a strategic region for new investment and create greater opportunities to secure additional public funding.

“This is our moment to explain what is happening in our communities and demonstrate that these success stories create more opportunities for the entire region,” he concluded.

The South Texas Alliance of Cities meeting included the participation of Brownsville Mayor John Cowen Jr.; McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos; Mission Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza; Edinburg Mayor Omar Ochoa; and state Senator Chuy Hinojosa, among other representatives. The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of municipal governments to advance a regional agenda focused on ensuring the infrastructure needed to sustain economic growth, attract new investment, and improve South Texas competitiveness.