Mayor Villalobos Details McAllen's Economic Resilience and Border Advantages in Regional Spotlight

In a recent interview on The Building Texas Show, McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos detailed the economic resilience and collaborative approach that have positioned his city as a stable and growing hub along the U.S.-Mexico border. Villalobos, now serving his second term, described the unpaid mayoral role as a full-time commitment focused on stewardship and economic diplomacy, particularly in cross-border relations. He emphasized that McAllen functions as the economic engine of the Rio Grande Valley, supporting a regional workforce that transcends city boundaries.

Villalobos challenged national narratives about border cities by presenting data showing McAllen ranks among the safest cities in the United States, maintains one of the lowest costs of living in Texas, and has become a top destination for small business growth, conventions, and cross-border commerce. A central theme of the discussion was regional collaboration, with Villalobos explaining how cities across the Rio Grande Valley—including McAllen, Edinburg, Pharr, Mission, Brownsville, and Harlingen—have shifted from competition to coordination. This regional mindset, combined with strong partnerships with Hidalgo, Cameron, and Starr counties, has positioned South Texas to capitalize on major investments such as SpaceX, advanced manufacturing, logistics, and international trade.

Education and workforce development emerged as critical components of McAllen's strategy, with Villalobos pointing to institutions like UTRGV, Texas A&M–RGV, and South Texas College as pipelines for skilled talent in welding, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and technical trades. With one of the youngest populations in Texas, McAllen is investing deliberately in human capital to support long-term economic growth. The mayor also outlined McAllen's disciplined financial strategy, noting more than 130 days of working capital in reserves and consecutive property tax rate reductions.

Major projects discussed include the redevelopment of a 70-acre reservoir into a mixed-use destination, expansion of the McAllen Convention Center, and the opening of a full cargo facility at the international bridge—all designed to grow sales tax revenue, tourism, and global connectivity. As the conversation turned toward 2026, Villalobos expressed optimism about McAllen's future, citing fiscal strength, strategic incentives for value-add manufacturing, and the city's unique position between two of the world's most powerful economies. "McAllen sits at the center of a fluid, working border," Villalobos explained in the episode available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example123. "That collaboration—locally, regionally, and internationally—is what makes this city strong."

The episode also highlighted McAllen's community-driven quality of life, from large-scale holiday events like the South Pole of Texas and the McAllen Holiday Parade to year-round tourism and convention activity that continues to attract first-time visitors. The Building Texas Show is a statewide multimedia platform focused on telling the stories of Texas communities, civic leaders, and economic builders shaping the state's future. Viewers can watch the full episode with Mayor Javier Villalobos on The Building Texas Show channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/TheBuildingTexasShow.