More than one thousand attendees at the Hidalgo County State of the County address mingled inside the McAllen Convention Center before reflecting on major milestones in economic development on Wednesday night. 

Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez told the Rio Grande Valley Business Journal before taking the stage that his message to business leaders was to work collaboratively to succeed in a competitive world. 

“We live in a very strategic area of the world. We have a lot to offer, but we’re the best-kept secret. We want to make sure that we think reasonably, that we have a strategic plan that’s a regional strategic plan, and know that the best way to move forward is together,” Cortez said. 

But there are challenges ahead, too, including reliable access to water, electricity, and workforce development.