Rio Grande Valley job growth slows to a trickle through July
By Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza • August 25, 2026 • 4 min read
The Valley added 4,900 jobs over the year through July, almost entirely in the McAllen metro, while Brownsville-Harlingen added just 100.
Latest News
- USMCA won’t die in 2026 — but it’s entering a new, uncertain phase, RGV trade expert says
- Rio Grande Valley job growth slows to a trickle through July
- Brownsville reschedules vote on SpaceX disannexation request
- Cameron County wants input on a highway that could lead to SPI’s second causeway
- New statewide push to reduce Texas’ uninsured population starts in the Rio Grande Valley
- SpaceX seeks to take zoning control over nearly 450 acres from city of Brownsville as a ‘regional’ water deal takes shape
- Sovereign Coffee grew into a multimillion-dollar business. Now, more is brewing
- Mission’s first Small Business Expo puts $25K on the line for local entrepreneurs
- STC puts AI to work across 55 courses — from construction sites to car repair
- TSTC bets on advanced manufacturing to meet RGV’s industrial boom
- Pharr’s cross-border business push earns international recognition
U.S.
View All
Brownsville reschedules vote on SpaceX disannexation request
Commissioners will now meet Saturday to consider whether nearly 450 acres should be removed from Brownsville’s city limits and zoning control.
Economic Trends
View All
Cameron County wants input on a highway that could lead to SPI’s second causeway
The proposed 21.5-mile Outer Parkway would create a new east-west highway across northern Cameron County as part of a broader route toward the coast.
Workforce
View All
Mission’s first Small Business Expo puts $25K on the line for local entrepreneurs
The free, full-day event will bring businesses, resources and an entrepreneur pitch competition to the Mission Event Center on Sept. 16.
Water
View All
SpaceX seeks to take zoning control over nearly 450 acres from city of Brownsville as a ‘regional’ water deal takes shape
The city says SpaceX is negotiating an investment that could roughly double regional potable water capacity as commissioners weigh its request.
Real Estate
View All
Sovereign Coffee grew into a multimillion-dollar business. Now, more is brewing
Sovereign Coffee is expanding to McAllen and Weslaco and adding its own bakery and roastery as the homegrown coffee company continues to grow.
International trade
View All
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.
Infrastructure
View All
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.
Tourism
View All
Travelers spent $272M on RGV lodging in first half of 2026. See where they stayed
Travelers most often chose to stay on South Padre Island overnight when visiting the Valley, even more so in 2026 than in 2025.
Healthcare
View All
New statewide push to reduce Texas’ uninsured population starts in the Rio Grande Valley
A new nonprofit backed by major health organizations is starting its statewide work in the Valley, where some of Texas’ highest uninsured rates persist.
Industrial Real Estate
View All
Volvo’s truck deal in Mexico is driving millions in new investment at Matamoros plant
Core Molding is adding two 4,500-ton presses in Matamoros to produce 1,000 Volvo truck roofs per week starting in 2027.
Commercial Real Estate
View All
BMW sales at Bert Ogden in Pharr are outpacing some bigger Texas markets, leaders say
The Rio Grande Valley population may be smaller than other markets in Texas but BMW dealership leaders say demand is growing statewide.
Business spotlight
View All
Reynosa entrepreneur finds new growth in Korean corn dogs after closing hardware business
Norberto Cruz Johansen lost five major oil and gas customers, closed his hardware business, and turned to food trucks before opening a storefront earlier this month.
Retail
View All
New retail plaza planned along Griffin Parkway in Mission
The Plaza at Griffin would add nearly 5,900 square feet of new commercial space along one of Mission’s busiest retail and business corridors.
Technology
View All
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.
Education
View All
TSTC bets on advanced manufacturing to meet RGV’s industrial boom
HARLINGEN — As billions of dollars in industrial investment take shape across the Rio Grande Valley, Texas State Technical College is overhauling its program lineup to keep pace wi
Manufacturing
View All
SpaceX’s millionaire boom could make Brownsville homes — and some tax bills — more expensive
Thousands of SpaceX employees may have become millionaires, adding pressure to Brownsville’s housing market.
Mexico
View All
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.
Economic incentives
View All
USMCA won’t die in 2026 — but it’s entering a new, uncertain phase, RGV trade expert says
The trade pact remains in force, but annual reviews, shifting tariffs and ongoing negotiations are creating new uncertainty for South Texas border businesses.
Finance
View All
McCoy’s gives $10K, tools to launch Mid-Valley construction academy
The new academy in Donna will give high school students hands-on construction training, with plans to eventually expand opportunities to working adults.
Agriculture
View All
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.
Immigration
View All
Valley farmers push Washington for immigration solutions as labor shortage grows
U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz and Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling met with South Texas growers as farmers pushed for easier access to legal workers.
Residential Real Estate
View All
Mexico president opens Tamaulipas tour in Reynosa with $2.16B housing push
President Claudia Sheinbaum highlighted plans for 60,000 new homes for workers and more than $2 billion in statewide housing investment.
Entertainment
View All
Edinburg begins $7M transformation of Ebony Hills Golf Course near downtown
The city of Edinburg sees the golf course renovations as an economic development catalyst with the jumpstart of a new clubhouse and workforce development center.
Logistics
View All
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.
Energy
View All
SpaceX quietly secured zoning approval for a new nearly 34-acre heavy industrial site along Boca Chica Highway
Space Exploration Technologies Corp. could expand its industrial operations to another 33.9 acres near Boca Chica Beach, records show.
Sponsored Content
View All
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
View All
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
- USMCA won’t die in 2026 — but it’s entering a new, uncertain phase, RGV trade expert says
- Mission lands one of its largest private investments with $50M aluminum manufacturing plant
- Vice President J.D. Vance cancels South Texas visit ahead of Port of Brownsville event
- New $1.6M food hall aims to transform downtown Edinburg with dining, retail and events
- South Texas builders say ICE raids are back, mourn death of slain construction worker
- Sluggish job growth across the Rio Grande Valley continues through June, data shows
Get the latest business news delivered to your inbox every morning for free.
Try 30 Days Free!
Get full access to award-winning journalism covering business, real estate, health care, economic trends, and the people shaping the Rio Grande Valley.
30 Days Free!
$9.95/month
Limited time offer
Subscription renews after your 30 day free trial at $9.95/mo.
Included Benefits
- Unlimited access to all articles
- Daily business news and analysis
- Subscriber-only content and features
In the Headlines
- USMCA won’t die in 2026 — but it’s entering a new, uncertain phase, RGV trade expert says
- 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
