Major housing development planned for Primera

Rio Grande Gaurdian
BY STEVE TAYLOR AND BLANCA GOMEZ 
OCTOBER 19, 2023

PRIMERA, Texas – The Rio Grande Guardian International News Service recently caught up with Primera Mayor R. Dave Kusch.

We wanted to do so because we had heard the city was struggling to get any news coverage with the local newspaper.

In a video interview, Kusch said he appreciated the chance to tell readers and viewers about the attractions of his city, which lies to the northwest of Harlingen. He said a major residential development is in the works.

“We have a number of new things going on within the city. We have over 400 new housing developments being built that we’ve issued permits for. We’ve ended up with the Dollar Tree Plaza, which you can see for yourself. And, in addition to the Dollar Tree, they are going to turn around and build a Subway. And there are a couple others that have expressed interest in that particular area. In addition to that, Dollar General is in the midst of construction here, down on Primera Road. They’ve already got the frame and the siding of the buildings up.”

Kusch said he cannot, yet, announce the name of the development company working on the masterplanned community.

According the American Community Survey, Primera’s population in 2021 was 5,303. In 2010 the population was 4,070. Kusch said city leaders believe there was an undercount, however, in the 2020 Census. “So on our estimate, we think the city grew almost 40 percent.”

Kusch said Primera is peaceful, and friendly. “We try and provide an environment for our citizens that is friendly and provides them the quality of life that they would like to have,” he said.