Edinburg’s mayor describes 2024 as marking the “end of an incredible three-year run.”
From 2021-2024, the Rio Grande Valley’s fastest-growing city surpassed the 100,000 population mark and today stands at about 106,000 residents. Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr. described Edinburg as “a city on the move” during a recent state of the city speech at the new Arts, Culture & Events Center. The mayor’s speech included an elaborate and well-structured video presentation that highlighted the city’s growth and development.
The economic growth numbers were front and center in Garza’s speech. Those numbers included $1 billion in direct construction activity since 2022 and sales tax revenues soaring past $100 million. Just as important, the mayor said, were the completion of quality-of-life projects such as the long-sought ACE center and a new turf park which includes seven baseball and softball fields that are hosting regional and national tournaments.
The range of improvements in the city and seeing how Edinburg includes its residents in community development drew praise from the National Civic League. The organization named Edinburg as an All-America City in 2024 in recognition of its civic engagement, innovation and collaboration in addressing community challenges.
“Edinburg really has shown a lot of excellence in its civic activity,” said Derek Okubo, a director of civic assistance with the National Civic League. “Wisdom and that spirit of facing the challenges to bring people together to solve problems. Edinburg has some very important characteristics that need to be celebrated and highlighted.”
Boosting Quality Of Life
Okubo’s comments were among those included in the video accompanying the mayor’s speech.
Also in the video was City Commissioner David Salazar. He highlighted the quality-of-life aspects such as the nearly complete hike-and-bike trail that links Edinburg to McAllen’s trails system. Another city commissioner, Dan Diaz, promoted the turf field project that was funded by Edinburg Economic Development Corporation at a cost of $2 million.
“We are now able to host competitions and draw major tournaments in bringing more visitors to our city,” Diaz said.
On the subject of athletics and sports, Mayor Garza pointed to the inaugural UT-Rio Grande Valley football season that is just months away from an August 2025 kickoff. He said bringing Division I college football to the Valley – and to a venue in Edinburg – is “another defining moment” for the city and region.
“UTRGV football will bring a $197 million dollar impact into our local economy,” the mayor said.
‘Striking Economic Growth’
The crux of Garza’s speech focused on economic and business numbers.
An impressive list of growth trends was presented and among those mentioned were:
- Edinburg now has nearly $2 billion in taxable retail sales.
- New home permit valuations in 2024 were $171 million, which were up $40 million over the previous year.
- Edinburg added 800 new single-family homes and there are currently 146 new subdivisions being built or are in the planning stages.
- The city has seen nearly 5,000 new jobs created in Edinburg since 2022.
The mayor said with “great growth comes great responsibility,” and foremost is Edinburg making the proper investments in public safety with its police and fire departments in having the staffing and equipment needed to cover an expanding city. Edinburg has made such investments as well as those in wastewater systems and drainage, a preeminent concern in every Valley city.
For Garza, the state of city address was bittersweet in that it was his last one due to a medical condition that convinced him not to seek re-election later this year. He will leave elected office after guiding a city to “striking economic growth,” and a hope that its momentum can be maintained in the years ahead.
