Villarreal: Historic levels of investment being made in Rio Grande City

Rio Grande Guardian
BY STEVE TAYLOR 
DECEMBER 5, 2023

RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas – Rio Grande City Mayor Joel Villarreal has spoken of the power of public-private partnerships.

“We recognize the power vested in public private partnerships that are highly rewarding and extremely effective. In fact, Rio Grande City is a brand new testament to the power inherent in such partnerships,” Villarreal said.

Villarreal made his remarks at an event hosted by Starr County Industrial Foundation. The event was titled, “Exploring the Vast Potential of Public-Private Partnerships in Bridging the Digital Divide.” A panel discussion explored the growing partnership between VTX1 Internet and Starr County communities.

Villarreal started his speech by touting his city.

“Welcome and thank you for joining us today in beautiful Rio Grande City, a historic community with modern appeal that embraces a high quality of life and where people come to live, to work, and to forge the American Dream,” Villarreal said.

With regard to public-private partnerships, Villarreal said: “Together, many of us here have transformed our region for generations to come. Whether you’re considering historical job creation, historical fund balances, historical sales tax revenues, or homeownership at 73 percent – (which is) above the national and state averages of 62 percent and and 64 percent.”

As he often does in his speeches, Villarreal quoted one of his heroes, President Kennedy. “President John F. Kennedy said it best: things do not happen, things are made to happen.”

Villarreal then listed the areas where Rio Grande City has improved.

“We have historical (levels of) investments in infrastructure, safety and security, medicine, education. Historical (levels of) investments in mobility and connectivity, transportation, trade, commerce, hospitality, retail tourism. And, we have a bicultural, binational, bilingual identity that serves as our strength.”

Villarreal pointed out that the cost of living in Rio Grande City is below the national average. 

“We have a strong and young workforce. We have an international land port of entry and billions of dollars in trade. Ladies and gentlemen, our economic forecast gets better and brighter every single day.”

For this reason, Villarreal said, it is vital to invest in high-speed broadband.

“It behooves us to bridge the digital divide, which is simply that gap between those who have access to broadband services, internet, access to modern information and communications technology, and those who do not.”

Villarreal added: “It behooves us to make sure that all American households have access to broadband. For internet is no longer a luxury. It is a necessity in today’s modern world. So, on behalf of the great city of Rio Grande City. let us bridge that digital divide. Thank you and God bless.”