State of the City: Weslaco tops $1B in taxable sales for second year

Weslaco Mayor Adrian Gonzalez said the city surpassed $1 billion in taxable sales for the second year in a row at the state of the city address on Wednesday.

Gonzalez said that number represents a city that’s built on its past to grow its future.

“We are building a stronger economy,” he said. “One that continues to attract investment, support local business and create opportunities for future generations. Because growing fearlessly is not just about growth; it’s about how we grow. It means planning ahead. It means making smart investments. And it means making decisions today that will benefit our city tomorrow.”

Gonzalez said taxable sales values have doubled since 2020. Commercial and industrial values have risen to $1.19 billion, he said, while residential values have grown to over $2 billion.

“It’s tremendous,” he said.

Speaking to the Rio Grande Valley Business Journal, Gonzalez said he thinks Weslaco has leveraged its central location in Hidalgo County to capitalize on investment.

“We’re right in the middle,” he said. “I think the success is when you’re approachable, you’re accessible — so the more business you attract, of course that taxable sales number will increase.”

Wednesday’s state of the city highlighted a number of developments: a strip center, a Sam’s Club, and a boutique flower shop that doubles as a restaurant.

Gonzalez said that growth isn’t limited by municipal bounds.

“When they grow, we grow. And when we grow, they grow,” he said.

According to Gonzalez, Weslaco is also welcoming residential development that will fuel that retail growth.

He says 500 homes are under development now in Weslaco, a number he expects to at least double over the next two years.

To Gonzalez, every home built brings to mind the sound of a cash register ringing.

“They’re annexing themselves to the city and developing really, really nice areas,” he said.

The city has already seen residential values grow to over $2 billion, Gonzalez said.

“That is what fearless growth looks like,” he said. “Not just a vision, but results.”