The power of local communities: small cities strengthen South Texas’ economy

During RGV Startup Week, economic development leaders highlighted the key role of emerging cities in strengthening South Texas’ business ecosystem during the panel “Insights Unplugged: Small Communities with Big Impact.”

The session brought together representatives from economic development corporations (EDCs) in Donna, Elsa, Los Fresnos, and Rio Grande City, who agreed that the region’s growth does not depend only on larger cities, but also on the ability of smaller communities to generate opportunities, attract investment, and strengthen the business fabric.

Local-driven development

During the panel, speakers emphasized that cities such as Los Fresnos, Rio Grande City, Donna, and Elsa are implementing strategies based on public-private partnerships, entrepreneur support programs, the use of local assets, and talent development.

These actions allow communities to generate significant economic impact even with limited resources.

A more competitive regional ecosystem

One of the main points was the importance of building an interconnected ecosystem, where each city contributes from its own strengths to consolidate the South Texas Valley as a competitive region for investment attraction and business development.

Panelists agreed that regional growth is not a zero-sum game, but rather a collaborative effort where the success of one community contributes to the development of the entire region.

Leadership in economic development

The panel featured the participation of Jeffrey Rosas, Economic Development Coordinator for the City of Los Fresnos; Melinda Gomez, Executive Director of Rio Grande EDC; April Castaneda, Executive Director of Donna EDC; and Daniel Rivera, Executive Director of Elsa EDC.

They shared experiences on how their communities are creating conditions to attract businesses, support entrepreneurship, and strengthen local economic growth.

Impact beyond size

Finally, participants agreed that through well-directed strategies, relationships based on trust and mutual support, and a long-term vision, small communities can become key drivers of the region’s economic development.

About RGV Startup Week

RGV Startup Week is an annual event that offers a full week of educational workshops, conferences, networking opportunities, and practical resources to support business development in the South Texas Valley, making it a platform designed to connect, learn, and grow.