McAllen breaks ground on Bicentennial extension
January 27, 2010 8:36 PM
Nick Pipitone
The Monitor
McALLEN — City officials and contractors broke ground on the long-awaited extension of Bicentennial Boulevard on Wednesday, saying that the 2.2-mile extension from Nolana to Trenton Road will go a long way toward alleviating traffic congestion in the city.
Plans for the extension have been 15 years in the making and have faced several obstacles along the way. City officials now estimate the $5.2 million project should be finished by fall 2012.
“One of our biggest challenges here is mobility,” Mayor Richard Cortez said. “We are a long and narrow city, and getting people from north to south and south to north is very important.”
Cortez said that adding another major four-lane, north-south corridor to the existing Jackson, McColl and Ware roads and 10th and 23rd streets is a good start to addressing the city’s traffic problem.
The extension will be similar to Second Street, with two northbound and two southbound lanes and a hike-and-bike trail along the east side of the corridor, though final landscaping and beautification is not expected until 2012 because of budgetary concerns, City Commissioner Scott Crane said.
But unlike Second Street and other major north-south roadways, the Bicentennial extension will have limited access and traffic lights, Crane said, which will make it a much faster route. The only intersections will be at 4 mile line and Dove Avenue.
“Because it is limited access, it helps...
Full Article
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Here comes Cheddar's; Irving-based eatery to open new location in Brownsville
Here comes Cheddar's; Irving-based eatery to open new location in Brownsville
February 10, 2010 9:46 AMCheddar’s Casual Café needn’t worry: Brownsville loves its chain restaurants.
Cheddar’s is bringing its all-American comfort food concept to the city, with construction under way on a site at Frontage Road and Charlie Clark Drive, and an opening set for spring.
Jim Weber, executive vice president of operations for the company, seemed to want to downplay the fact that the restaurant is, in fact, a chain — a dirty word in some markets, maybe, but certainly not here.
"We don’t think of ourselves as a chain," Weber told The Brownsville Herald. "We’re a simple company that is very focused on great, quality food. We’re not a big company with 400 or 500 locations. We’re not trying to be the biggest guy out there."
That’s good, since the Irving-based company, which started in 1978 with a single store in Arlington, has just 82 locations in 20 states, according to the company’s Web site. Thirty-five of those locations are in Texas. In contrast, Applebee’s, founded in 1980, has nearly 2,000 restaurants in all 50 states and 15 foreign countries.
"We don’t take too many chances," Weber says. "We’re a conservative Texas company. We’re mindful about our growth. We try to be as thoughtful as we can."
He says the company is "pretty selective" about which markets to enter. McAllen got its first Cheddar’s just over a year ago and that store has been very successful, Weber says, adding that the company is expecting similar success in Brownsville.
"We feel great about the Valley and southern Texas," he says. "We were very confident (about the decision to come to the Valley). We’re generally received very positively."
Each Cheddar’s location employs 154 people. Weber expects a flood of applications once the "now hiring" sign goes up, noting that Cheddar’s doesn’t have to do much in the way of advertising for employees. The company does no advertising at all, in fact.
"We don’t run TV ads," Weber says. "We don’t do any of that. We invest all that in our people and in our quality products."
He describes the restaurant as a "casual dinner house — a little more polished," with an emphasis on "quality food, fair price and great atmosphere."
The new Cheddar’s sits on a 1.8-acre outparcel — part of the land assembled by Coastal Realty, a local commercial real estate firm, for the construction of Lowe’s. Lowe’s is the big anchor for North Towne Plaza, as the development is called.
Coastal’s Mark Barnard says marketing of the outparcels to "junior anchors" started before the Lowe’s was finished, and Cheddar’s was the first one to bite.
"The outparcel users and junior anchors always follow the large anchors such as Lowe’s," he says. "Now that Cheddar’s is under construction, other restaurants will look more seriously at the North Towne project."
Surrounding Cheddar’s is a 3-acre parcel that would work for...
Full Story
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Just Listed with NAI Rio Grande Valley: See It First!
SURPLUS BANK OWNED PROPERTY SALE
200 S. Sugar Rd. Edinburg, TX
Building Size:1,900 SF
Property Type: Retail
Lot Size: 33,486 SF
3.2 ACRES WITH OWNER FINANCING
6005 N. SUGAR ROAD, Pharr, TX 78577
Lot Size:3.20 AC
Property Type:Land
EXP. 281 FAIRHAVEN CROSSING DEVELOPED PAD SITES
2636 S. EXP 281, Edinburg, TX 78539
Lot Size:30,451 - 52,556 SF
Total Lot Size:124,995 SF
Property Type:Land
Property Sub-type:Retail
Find Out More...
Contact Broker: Carlos Molina
NAI Rio Grande Valley here to help you
with all your commercial real estate needs.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Edinburg mayor delivers state-of-the-city address
Edinburg mayor delivers state-of-the-city addressThe Monitor February 03, 2010 11:42 PM
By Jared Janes
Click Here for Full Story
EDINBURG - The growth that has marked this city since Mayor Richard Garcia’s first stint in office has come with its share of challenges.
First and foremost, the mayor said Wednesday during his state-of-the-city address, has been finding jobs for its newest residents.
With an eye on growth, the city established a Monterrey office to attract foreign investment, traveled to conventions to lure a mall development and offered innovative incentives to interested investors, said Garcia, a board member on the city’s economic development corporation since May 2003. While the rest of the nation was hit last year by a deep recession, Edinburg’s sales tax collections grew by 2 percent, it saw a large increase in home construction, and its credit rating went up.
But Garcia said the real proof that the city was resilient enough to withstand the recession was the year-end unemployment rate of 6.7 percent, well below the county, state and national averages.
“Job creation,” Garcia said on numerous occasions Wednesday. “We got it then. We get it now.”
Speaking in the historic school auditorium housed on the grounds of City Hall, the mayor touted Edinburg’s financial stability, infrastructure improvements and quality-of-life improvements.
In his first state-of-the-city address since re-assuming the mayoralty last year — he first held the position from 2003 to 2006 — Garcia initially highlighted projects that began his first term, including a new City Hall, police and municipal court facilities and a water plant.
But he moved quickly to the city’s ongoing projects, most notably its efforts to revitalize its downtown.
The city hired a consulting firm to develop a master plan that could bring life back into a downtown area that dies after the regular working day, Garcia said.
The city is gathering input for the master plan, which would incorporate plaza and street improvements, a pedestrian connection to the University of Texas-Pan American and arts, culture and entertainment options.
Saying he wanted the city to continue to be a college town that remains culture- and family-oriented in its development, Garcia envisioned a downtown venue focusing on the arts for residents of all ages and walks of life.
The mayor also emphasized the partnerships the municipality is building with other entities.
The city is partnering with the university on several projects, including
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
NAI Rio Grande Valley attends DEAL MAKER breakfast in Reynosa, MX
NAI Rio Grande Valley attends the DEAL MAKER breakfast in Reynosa, MX.
NAI Rio Grande Valley, NAI RGV, crossed the new Anzalduas Bridge recently to attend the first DEAL MAKER meeting of 2010.
The organizer of the DEAL MAKERS, Lamar Lawson, describes it as "an informal group of agents and owners of industrial properties in the McAllen MSA that have a cooperative interest in the industrial activity. We track the market activity in the industrial market-typically from 20,000sf-above—which benefits all involved when talking to banks, prospects and others that have an interest in such. We meet as needed—about 3 times a year."
"The DEAL MAKER breakfast in Reynosa was a very strong success—and provided an excellent exchange of ideas and “views of the world” by all attending" according to Mike Blum, Partner & Managing Broker of NAI RGV.
For more information about the DEAL MAKERS and the industrial market contact:
Lamar Lawson
Lawson Commercial Realty, Inc.
956 330 3525
or
Mike Blum
NAI Rio Grande Valley
956 994 8900
NAI Rio Grande Valley, NAI RGV, crossed the new Anzalduas Bridge recently to attend the first DEAL MAKER meeting of 2010.
The organizer of the DEAL MAKERS, Lamar Lawson, describes it as "an informal group of agents and owners of industrial properties in the McAllen MSA that have a cooperative interest in the industrial activity. We track the market activity in the industrial market-typically from 20,000sf-above—which benefits all involved when talking to banks, prospects and others that have an interest in such. We meet as needed—about 3 times a year."
"The DEAL MAKER breakfast in Reynosa was a very strong success—and provided an excellent exchange of ideas and “views of the world” by all attending" according to Mike Blum, Partner & Managing Broker of NAI RGV.
For more information about the DEAL MAKERS and the industrial market contact:
Lamar Lawson
Lawson Commercial Realty, Inc.
956 330 3525
or
Mike Blum
NAI Rio Grande Valley
956 994 8900
NAI Rio Grande Valley here to help you with your commercial real estate needs...Around the corner or around the world! Tour our website today www.nairgv.com
NAI Rio Grande Valley Loves Getting Deals Done in 2010!
NAI Rio Grande Valley is getting deals done in 2010!
February:
6,000 SF of Office Space just leased in Pharr, TX | Agent: Roger Stolley Represented: Landlord
January:
30,000 SF Retail Space leased in McAllen, TX | Agents: Mike Blum and Roger Stolley Represented: Landlord
3 Acres Commercial Land acquired in McAllen, TX | Agent: Mike Blum Represented: Buyer
2,600 SF Office Space leased in McAllen, TX | Agent: Roger Stolley and Lucy Sisniega Represented: Landlord
2,500 SF Retail Space leased in McAllen, TX | Agent: Roger Stolley and Lucy Sisniega Represented: Landlord
1,700 SF Office Space leased in San Antonio, TX | Agent: Carlos Molina Represented: Landlord
6,000 SF Office Space sold in McAllen, TX | Agent: Roger Stolley Represented: Seller
NAI Rio Grande Valley here to help you with your commercial real estate needs! Contact us today.
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NAI Rio Grande Valley
1400 McColl, Suite 205
McAllen, TX 78501
956.994.8900
http://www.nairgv.com/
Monday, February 1, 2010
McAllen Mayor touts city's sound financial footing in the annual State of the City address
McAllen mayor touts city's sound financial footing in address
By Nick Pipitone The Monitor, Mc Allen, Texas
Publication: The Monitor (McAllen, Texas)
Date: Friday, January 22 2010
NAI Rio Grande Valley
Jan. 22--MCALLEN -- Mayor Richard Cortez said the city is well-positioned to rebound from the recession and touted several completed and future city projects during the annual State of the City address at the McAllen Convention Center Thursday.
In front of a few hundred people -- including some U.S. and Mexican dignitaries -- Cortez said McAllen was on strong financial footing despite the economic malaise of the past two years.
Cortez cited the $226 million in the city's total fund balance at the end of the 2008-2009 fiscal year and a recent study by the Brookings Institute, a Washington, D.C. think tank that reported that the Greater McAllen area was No. 1 in the nation in job growth in the third quarter of 2009.
"Just as we didn't wait around for the recession to begin, we won't wait around for it to end," Cortez said in the large conference room with three large video screens mounted behind him and several elaborate displays showcasing the city's new "green" movement.
But Cortez, who is approaching his fifth year as mayor, also said many of his grandest visions are on hold because of the nationwide credit crunch. Delayed projects include the landing of a much-coveted auto manufacturing plant and the Boeye Reservoir redevelopment, a proposed 67-acre retail and residential complex that was set to be located above the reservoir.
The city has been in negotiations to land an auto manufacturer here for the past several years but has steadfastly refused to divulge any details because of the delicate nature of the talks.
"Yes, we continue to have dialogue with them and we're still in competition with other areas," Cortez said of the negotiations. "But we're hopeful that if we can resolve the differences in what they want and what we're willing to give, we may be fortunate to bring them here."
Full Article
By Nick Pipitone The Monitor, Mc Allen, Texas
Publication: The Monitor (McAllen, Texas)
Date: Friday, January 22 2010
NAI Rio Grande Valley
Jan. 22--MCALLEN -- Mayor Richard Cortez said the city is well-positioned to rebound from the recession and touted several completed and future city projects during the annual State of the City address at the McAllen Convention Center Thursday.
In front of a few hundred people -- including some U.S. and Mexican dignitaries -- Cortez said McAllen was on strong financial footing despite the economic malaise of the past two years.
Cortez cited the $226 million in the city's total fund balance at the end of the 2008-2009 fiscal year and a recent study by the Brookings Institute, a Washington, D.C. think tank that reported that the Greater McAllen area was No. 1 in the nation in job growth in the third quarter of 2009.
"Just as we didn't wait around for the recession to begin, we won't wait around for it to end," Cortez said in the large conference room with three large video screens mounted behind him and several elaborate displays showcasing the city's new "green" movement.
But Cortez, who is approaching his fifth year as mayor, also said many of his grandest visions are on hold because of the nationwide credit crunch. Delayed projects include the landing of a much-coveted auto manufacturing plant and the Boeye Reservoir redevelopment, a proposed 67-acre retail and residential complex that was set to be located above the reservoir.
The city has been in negotiations to land an auto manufacturer here for the past several years but has steadfastly refused to divulge any details because of the delicate nature of the talks.
"Yes, we continue to have dialogue with them and we're still in competition with other areas," Cortez said of the negotiations. "But we're hopeful that if we can resolve the differences in what they want and what we're willing to give, we may be fortunate to bring them here."
Full Article
Sunday, January 31, 2010
NAI Rio Grande Valley Welcomes New Broker!
NAI Rio Grande Valley welcomes Laura Liza Paz to our NAI family
Laura Liza Paz
Realtor Associate
Commercial & Residential Specialist
956.994.8900 ext. 21
Michael Blum, Partner and Managing Broker is pleased to announce that Ms. Laura Liza Paz has joined the NAI Rio Grande Team. “We are really excited about Laura becoming part of our team,” Mike said. “She brings 16 years of Valley real estate experience and a terrific knowledge of the local market. Roger Stolley, another member of the firm, noted “Laura’s representation of both international and domestic clientele and her fluency in Spanish will be very beneficial to our relationships with investors and property owners on both sides of the border.”
Laura Liza Paz has 16 years experience in the Real Estate business. She brings a significant understanding to each transaction, matching the requirements of buyers and sellers to their investment objectives. She has a demonstrated commitment to deliver high quality service to clients, always putting their needs first, thus gaining their trust, confidence, and respect.
Laura Liza’s unique combination of comprehensive analysis, creative problem solving, and market knowledge sets her apart from her peers, allowing her the opportunity to offer her clients the insight and tools necessary to empower their strategic decision – making abilities.
Laura Liza affords you peace of mind in knowing, that you will always receive the highest quality service, her utmost sincere effort, seasoned intelligent direction, and skillful execution to facilitate the closing of each transaction in a timely manner, ultimately exceeding her client’s expectations in every transaction.
Click Here to View Broker Profile
Click Here to Contact Laura Liza Paz
Click Here to Take a Tour of our Website
Build on the power of our network.™
NAI Rio Grande Valley is part of NAI Global, one of the world's leading providers of commercial real estate services. NAI manages a network with 8,000 professionals and 375 offices in 55 countries worldwide. We bring together people and resources wherever needed to deliver outstanding results for our clients, and complete over $45 billion in transactions annually. Our clients come to us for our deep local knowledge. They build their businesses on the power of our global managed network.
Monday, January 18, 2010
MEDC/MFTZ Trains for a Marathon Year of Economic Development
MEDC/MFTZ Trains for a Marathon Year of Economic Development
Friday, January 15th, 2010
By Keith Patridge, President/CEO of McAllen Economic Development Corporation www.texasborderbusiness.com
It seemed like a great idea back in November when staff decided to sign up for the Fiesta Marathon Relay in McAllen. Twenty employees from the McAllen Economic Development Corporation and Foreign Trade Zone formed four teams of five to conquer the 26.2-mile relay early on a Sunday morning in mid-December.
This race became the buzz in the office as several employees met on weekends to train and run laps around the trade zone after business hours. And on race day, we all gathered at the start line before sunrise to take on this marathon.
MEDC/MFTZ staff, joined with friends and family, stood along the race route to cheer on our teams and offer words of encouragement during that foggy, cold morning. Less than six hours later, we all completed the race and despite some soreness, it proved to be a great day. The mileage challenged us, but it drove home the importance of teamwork, efficiency and strategy. It also reminds us of the expression that sometimes in life -and business- it is a marathon, not a sprint. And while we sprint when we have to, this past year tested the endurance of everyone in business.
Economic development in 2009 was a long, grueling marathon. The slow economic conditions have caused some companies to be more cautious and hesitant, but it doesn’t mean we give up. This “marathon” challenges the MEDC team to be patient, more innovative and aggressive.
We have talked about the auto plant for some time, and it is still moving forward. McAllen continues to be in that race and hopefully we will have some positive news to report in 2010. And although the year has proved slower than usual, we have secured 18 new companies in Reynosa and McAllen, plus existing companies added 723,000-square feet of industrial space in the McAllen MSA and in Reynosa.
Also, we have seen an influx of companies transferring divisions and their corporate headquarters to McAllen. In part because of the region’s large local workforce, strategic location and low costs of doing business, Fujitsu-Ten, Panasonic, Hi-Tec and ALPS have located their North American corporate headquarters to McAllen. Bettcher has transferred all of its North American corporate and manufacturing operations to McAllen and Reynosa. Hutchinson Manufacturing has also started transferring several divisions to McAllen.
For more than 17 years, the MEDC team has worked with ALPS, a global leader and manufacturer of electronic and automotive components. Over time, we have helped the company relocate families, hire local students from South Texas College and University of Texas-Pan American and expand their McAllen/Reynosa operations.
Recently, MEDC, along with officials from STC, UTPA, Mission Economic Development Authority and Hunt Valley Development, traveled to ALPS’ headquarters in Japan to meet with Mr. Masataka Kataoka, president/CEO of ALPS and tour their advanced technology and manufacturing centers. Mr. Kataoka announced that ALPS will bring their North American headquarters to McAllen, along with an additional division and 40 more jobs.
This represents a great opportunity to strengthen the partnership we have forged with ALPS over the years. We will continue working with company officials to help them create a global headquarters in McAllen.
The management teams of ALPS and all of our companies have become more like family to us, as we have known many of them for almost 20 years. Like training for a marathon – or even a fun relay- economic development and partnerships take practice and commitment.
And the MEDC team is committed to creating economic opportunity in the Rio Grande Valley and Northern Mexico. If you know of a company that is interested in learning about the advanced manufacturing opportunities in McAllen/Reynosa, contact the MEDC team today at 956.682.2875 or info@medc.org.
Keith Patridge is President and C. E. O. of McAllen Economic Development Corporation.
Friday, January 15th, 2010
By Keith Patridge, President/CEO of McAllen Economic Development Corporation www.texasborderbusiness.com
It seemed like a great idea back in November when staff decided to sign up for the Fiesta Marathon Relay in McAllen. Twenty employees from the McAllen Economic Development Corporation and Foreign Trade Zone formed four teams of five to conquer the 26.2-mile relay early on a Sunday morning in mid-December.
This race became the buzz in the office as several employees met on weekends to train and run laps around the trade zone after business hours. And on race day, we all gathered at the start line before sunrise to take on this marathon.
MEDC/MFTZ staff, joined with friends and family, stood along the race route to cheer on our teams and offer words of encouragement during that foggy, cold morning. Less than six hours later, we all completed the race and despite some soreness, it proved to be a great day. The mileage challenged us, but it drove home the importance of teamwork, efficiency and strategy. It also reminds us of the expression that sometimes in life -and business- it is a marathon, not a sprint. And while we sprint when we have to, this past year tested the endurance of everyone in business.
Economic development in 2009 was a long, grueling marathon. The slow economic conditions have caused some companies to be more cautious and hesitant, but it doesn’t mean we give up. This “marathon” challenges the MEDC team to be patient, more innovative and aggressive.
We have talked about the auto plant for some time, and it is still moving forward. McAllen continues to be in that race and hopefully we will have some positive news to report in 2010. And although the year has proved slower than usual, we have secured 18 new companies in Reynosa and McAllen, plus existing companies added 723,000-square feet of industrial space in the McAllen MSA and in Reynosa.
Also, we have seen an influx of companies transferring divisions and their corporate headquarters to McAllen. In part because of the region’s large local workforce, strategic location and low costs of doing business, Fujitsu-Ten, Panasonic, Hi-Tec and ALPS have located their North American corporate headquarters to McAllen. Bettcher has transferred all of its North American corporate and manufacturing operations to McAllen and Reynosa. Hutchinson Manufacturing has also started transferring several divisions to McAllen.
For more than 17 years, the MEDC team has worked with ALPS, a global leader and manufacturer of electronic and automotive components. Over time, we have helped the company relocate families, hire local students from South Texas College and University of Texas-Pan American and expand their McAllen/Reynosa operations.
Recently, MEDC, along with officials from STC, UTPA, Mission Economic Development Authority and Hunt Valley Development, traveled to ALPS’ headquarters in Japan to meet with Mr. Masataka Kataoka, president/CEO of ALPS and tour their advanced technology and manufacturing centers. Mr. Kataoka announced that ALPS will bring their North American headquarters to McAllen, along with an additional division and 40 more jobs.
This represents a great opportunity to strengthen the partnership we have forged with ALPS over the years. We will continue working with company officials to help them create a global headquarters in McAllen.
The management teams of ALPS and all of our companies have become more like family to us, as we have known many of them for almost 20 years. Like training for a marathon – or even a fun relay- economic development and partnerships take practice and commitment.
And the MEDC team is committed to creating economic opportunity in the Rio Grande Valley and Northern Mexico. If you know of a company that is interested in learning about the advanced manufacturing opportunities in McAllen/Reynosa, contact the MEDC team today at 956.682.2875 or info@medc.org.
Keith Patridge is President and C. E. O. of McAllen Economic Development Corporation.
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission Metropolitan Area is Number One in the Nation in Positive Job Growth!
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission Metropolitan Area is Number One in the Nation in Positive Job Growth!
Friday, January 15th, 2010
Written by: Dr. Gilberto de los Santos
Professor Emeritus The University of Texas—Pan American
www.texasborderbusiness.com
The prestigious Brookings Institution released in its 2009 third quarter MetroMonitor, a “quarterly, interactive barometer of the health of America’s 100 largest metropolitan economies.” In this report it cites the changes in employment of the 100 largest United States Standard Metropolitan Areas.
From the 2nd to the 3rd quarter of the year 2009, only 11 of the 100 metro areas experienced positive increase in jobs. The other 89 metro areas lost jobs during this time period. The McAllen—Edinburg—Mission metro area is the number one in the United States in job creation with an increase of 1.3% in one quarter! The 1.3%, if annualized, would be 5.2%! Below is a list of the top five metro areas with their percentage increases in jobs:
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX with a 1.3% growth
New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, LA = 0.6%
New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA = 0.5%
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE, IA = 0.5%
Columbia, SC = 0.3%
The MetroMonitor also compared the largest 100 metro areas’ peak employment quarter to the most recent 3rd 2009 Quarter. Only one metro area in the United States, The McAllen—Edinburg—Mission metro area increased job placements with an increase of 1.4%! Since their peak employment, the 100 largest metro areas have decreased an average of -4.3%, compared to a -4.6% decrease in employment for the entire United States.
The McAllen—Edinburg—Mission metro area is the only metro area in Texas that achieved an employment growth rate from October 2008 to October 2009!!! (See Table 1)
There seems to be much healing to go—and the McAllen—Edinburg—Mission metro area is leading the way in the entire United States—and in Texas.
While most of the major metro areas in the United States are suffering loss of jobs, our metro area is number 1 in job growth. One can rightfully ask, what are the reasons for this unique growth in employment? Someone else might give a different answer, but this writer’s impression is that some of the reasons include that The Rio Grande Valley has wonderful people who have created a high quality standard of life which has attracted a higher than average increase in population growth.
We are blessed with great weather, a good school system from the K-12 grades levels to the post secondary education level, a family-oriented community, and a reasonably low cost of living. Although most local residents think the real estate prices have “sky rocked” we are considered a “bargain” compared to other metro areas.
The public schools, The University of Texas—Pan American, and South Texas College are among the fastest growing institutions in the country, and continue to increase programs and in number and quality.
Our excellent weather and shopping facilities encourage Mexican and Winter Texan tourists to continue coming. Our job growth is also fueled by the only three industries which experienced growth in Texas—Education and Health Services, Government, and Other Services.
Being adjacent to Mexico is an asset for our retail growth which also spurs jobs. The Maquiladora industry has promoted a huge increase in jobs in our sister cities near us in Mexico, and has also helped create jobs for us in the United States. Our agriculture market is strong, and we are attracting more manufacturing industries. We are also experiencing a huge increase in capitol influx from Mexican investors.
The fact that our metro area increased in jobs, does not mean that unemployment has decreased. Our metro area has been the first, second, or third fastest growing area in the United States for the past two decades, and we also have been the leaders in decreasing the unemployment rate. In the 1980’s and early 1990’s the unemployment rate was in the high “teens” and it was gradually lowered to less than 10%. At this time our metro unemployment rate is 11.2%, still among the highest unemployment rates in Texas. (See Table 1) So if the population growth rate is faster than the job creation rate, the unemployment will increase.
Nonetheless, we should definitely celebrate being number one in the United States and in Texas in job creation, and to hopefully be at the forefront of economic recovery!
Friday, January 15th, 2010
Written by: Dr. Gilberto de los Santos
Professor Emeritus The University of Texas—Pan American
www.texasborderbusiness.com
The prestigious Brookings Institution released in its 2009 third quarter MetroMonitor, a “quarterly, interactive barometer of the health of America’s 100 largest metropolitan economies.” In this report it cites the changes in employment of the 100 largest United States Standard Metropolitan Areas.
From the 2nd to the 3rd quarter of the year 2009, only 11 of the 100 metro areas experienced positive increase in jobs. The other 89 metro areas lost jobs during this time period. The McAllen—Edinburg—Mission metro area is the number one in the United States in job creation with an increase of 1.3% in one quarter! The 1.3%, if annualized, would be 5.2%! Below is a list of the top five metro areas with their percentage increases in jobs:
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX with a 1.3% growth
New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, LA = 0.6%
New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA = 0.5%
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE, IA = 0.5%
Columbia, SC = 0.3%
The MetroMonitor also compared the largest 100 metro areas’ peak employment quarter to the most recent 3rd 2009 Quarter. Only one metro area in the United States, The McAllen—Edinburg—Mission metro area increased job placements with an increase of 1.4%! Since their peak employment, the 100 largest metro areas have decreased an average of -4.3%, compared to a -4.6% decrease in employment for the entire United States.
The McAllen—Edinburg—Mission metro area is the only metro area in Texas that achieved an employment growth rate from October 2008 to October 2009!!! (See Table 1)
There seems to be much healing to go—and the McAllen—Edinburg—Mission metro area is leading the way in the entire United States—and in Texas.
While most of the major metro areas in the United States are suffering loss of jobs, our metro area is number 1 in job growth. One can rightfully ask, what are the reasons for this unique growth in employment? Someone else might give a different answer, but this writer’s impression is that some of the reasons include that The Rio Grande Valley has wonderful people who have created a high quality standard of life which has attracted a higher than average increase in population growth.
We are blessed with great weather, a good school system from the K-12 grades levels to the post secondary education level, a family-oriented community, and a reasonably low cost of living. Although most local residents think the real estate prices have “sky rocked” we are considered a “bargain” compared to other metro areas.
The public schools, The University of Texas—Pan American, and South Texas College are among the fastest growing institutions in the country, and continue to increase programs and in number and quality.
Our excellent weather and shopping facilities encourage Mexican and Winter Texan tourists to continue coming. Our job growth is also fueled by the only three industries which experienced growth in Texas—Education and Health Services, Government, and Other Services.
Being adjacent to Mexico is an asset for our retail growth which also spurs jobs. The Maquiladora industry has promoted a huge increase in jobs in our sister cities near us in Mexico, and has also helped create jobs for us in the United States. Our agriculture market is strong, and we are attracting more manufacturing industries. We are also experiencing a huge increase in capitol influx from Mexican investors.
The fact that our metro area increased in jobs, does not mean that unemployment has decreased. Our metro area has been the first, second, or third fastest growing area in the United States for the past two decades, and we also have been the leaders in decreasing the unemployment rate. In the 1980’s and early 1990’s the unemployment rate was in the high “teens” and it was gradually lowered to less than 10%. At this time our metro unemployment rate is 11.2%, still among the highest unemployment rates in Texas. (See Table 1) So if the population growth rate is faster than the job creation rate, the unemployment will increase.
Nonetheless, we should definitely celebrate being number one in the United States and in Texas in job creation, and to hopefully be at the forefront of economic recovery!
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