Northern Tamaulipas farmers are leaving fields unplanted — and it’s not just because of drought
By Anayancy Ulloa • September 2, 2026 • 7 min read
AgricultureEconomic TrendsFinanceInternational tradeMexicoWater
Nearly half the planned sorghum acreage went unplanted as farmers face low prices, rising costs and limited financing.
Latest News
- Northern Tamaulipas farmers are leaving fields unplanted — and it’s not just because of drought
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International trade
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Produce company plans $3M expansion in South McAllen
Chula Brand plans to add roughly 25,000 square feet to its McAllen facility, with construction expected to begin in October.
Water
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Business leaders defend Brownsville’s $220M SpaceX water agreement after contentious vote
Business leaders said the investment could expand water capacity, support jobs, and prepare Brownsville for industrial growth.
Mexico
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McAllen targets new trade with Mexican manufacturing hub as border bridge expands
McAllen is pursuing stronger trade and supply-chain ties with Saltillo as the Anzalduas International Bridge expands its commercial capacity.
Economic Trends
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Nonstop Orlando flights are back in Brownsville — and off to a strong start
Breeze has carried approximately 2,800 passengers in its first three months, with flights nearing 90% capacity during peak travel periods.
Agriculture
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Texas A&M’s $53.5M McAllen research center will tackle water, food security and Valley health
The project has grown by more than 4,000 square feet since it was announced, with construction now targeted to begin in February 2027.
Finance
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Texas hospitals are losing $27M a day in Medicaid funding. Here’s why the Valley should care
More than 333,000 Valley residents rely on Medicaid, including roughly 234,000 children, raising the stakes as Texas hospitals face billions in federal funding losses.
U.S.
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Dallas Fed finds AI is already cutting into Texas job postings
Texas businesses are using more artificial intelligence, and new research suggests companies are already hiring less for some of the jobs AI can help do.
Tourism
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TownePlace Suites by Marriott moves forward with $6.25M McAllen hotel
Marriott has listed the planned hotel in franchise documents since at least 2022; a new state filing puts construction start in January 2027.
Real Estate
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Port of Brownsville could soon host Nodule City, a first-of-its-kind commercial deep-sea mining hub
The Metals Company is eyeing 1,466 acres at the port for Nodule City, a proposed hub to process metals mined from the Pacific seafloor.
Industrial Real Estate
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SpaceX is giving Brownsville $220M for water projects. In exchange, the city gave up zoning control of 444 acres near Starbase
The last-minute deal followed a raucous six-hour meeting in which police removed several people, and SpaceX declined to give commissioners more time to review.
Manufacturing
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Reynosa’s newest technical high school focuses on AI, semiconductors and bionics
CBTIS 312 opened Monday with about 150 students, launching a technical education pipeline for Reynosa’s evolving manufacturing workforce.
Logistics
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TSTC lands nearly $500K grant to train more South Texas truck drivers
The federal grant will pay for two new semitrucks, a trailer, and upgrades to the college’s training and testing pad to help build the region’s transportation workforce.
Infrastructure
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Nearly $164M in water conservation investments planned for Rio Grande Valley
The funding would support 12 irrigation districts across the Lower Rio Grande Valley, with projects expected to conserve nearly 44,000 acre-feet of water annually.
Workforce
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Construction workers make up nearly 1 in 3 unemployment claims in three RGV counties
A Workforce Solutions report found 2,652 construction workers filed unemployment claims in early 2026, more than twice as many as any other industry.
Economic incentives
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Pharr’s cross-border business push earns international recognition
The Pharr Global Business Hub was recognized for connecting businesses, entrepreneurs, and investment opportunities across South Texas and Mexico.
Technology
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Social Fest launches RGV Creator of the Year award
Rio Grande Valley creators can be nominated regardless of follower count, with the inaugural winner set to be announced at Social Fest in McAllen this November.
Healthcare
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UT Health RGV performs new digestive procedure for first time in the Valley
The minimally invasive treatment gives patients with swallowing and digestive disorders access to care previously requiring travel outside the Valley.
Business spotlight
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Mexican tech company chooses McAllen as launchpad for U.S. expansion
Ticketopolis arrives in Texas after creating more than 11,000 events, issuing 1 million tickets and processing more than $20 million in transactions.
Education
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STC puts AI to work across 55 courses — from construction sites to car repair
The effort is designed to prepare students for workplaces where AI is quickly becoming part of the job.
Residential Real Estate
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McAllen metro shifts toward a buyer’s housing market as Brownsville metro stays balanced in July
Home sales increased across both Valley metros in July, but McAllen had nine months of inventory while Brownsville remained balanced at six months.
Entertainment
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Brownsville advances as finalist for potential professional soccer team
The city says an interested ownership partner has emerged as Brownsville competes with one other city for a United Soccer League expansion team.
Commercial Real Estate
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San Juan Acura dealership sold, will become Lumos Acura
Lumos Auto Group has acquired Acura of the Rio Grande Valley from Bill Bird and will operate the San Juan dealership under a new name.
Retail
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Twin Peaks is coming to Brownsville and South Padre Island
The sports restaurant chain is planning new locations in Cameron County as part of a broader South Texas expansion agreement that also includes Laredo.
Immigration
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Thousands of Mexicans are being sent back through Matamoros — bringing skills that could reshape Tamaulipas’ economy
Matamoros handled nearly 90% of Tamaulipas’ repatriation events through May — almost 14 times as many as Reynosa.
Energy
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The Valley landed the projects. Now it has to power them — and the others that are following
Industrial growth is bringing power requests larger than Brownsville’s electric system as the Valley races to expand power and water infrastructure.
Sponsored Content
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New capital projects chapter confronts growth challenges in the Rio Grande Valley
Harlingen luncheon will ask whether power, water and workers can keep pace with industrial expansion.
Demographics
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Reynosa and Matamoros emerge as Tamaulipas’ population engines
Reynosa and Matamoros now account for more than one-third of Tamaulipas’ population, fueled by manufacturing, logistics, and cross-border trade.
Most Read
- U.S. Energy Secretary says visas ‘won’t be an issue’ for Port of Brownsville oil refinery
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- SpaceX is giving Brownsville $220M for water projects. In exchange, the city gave up zoning control of 444 acres near Starbase
- Brownsville data center debate rolled into larger zoning ban on event centers, social clubs and more
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In the Headlines
- Environmental advocates push back as Starbase votes to dramatically expand city limits near Boca Chica Beach
- $1B desal plant secures land on South Padre Island
- SpaceX’s operations projected to generate $13B economic impact in Cameron County
- U.K. business plans massive data center in Harlingen, records show
- Cameron County set to acquire B&M Bridge, adding fourth international crossing to its network
