Hispanic Americans Are Helping Put the Rio Grande Valley on the Map

Positioned on the U.S.-Mexico border on the southern tip of Texas lies the Rio Grande Valley, or as Texans name it “the Valley” or “RGV.” Whereas the RGV–made up of Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy counties–most not too long ago made nationwide information throughout Texas Governor Abbott’s anti-immigrant blockade, there’s a lot extra to the area.  

The RGV is dwelling to the Pharr Bridge, the busiest land crossing for produce within the nation, transferring greater than $60 million value of products every day. Elon Musk’s well-known SpaceX South Texas launch website, Starbase, can also be within the Valley. Nevertheless it’s greater than only a industrial powerhouse; the RGV can also be harnessing individuals energy. 

Whereas U.S. Census Bureau information reveals the Valley’s inhabitants progress was low in some areas and under the statewide common, new analysis from Texans for Financial Development —the Council’s Texas enterprise coalition— reveals that Hispanic Texans are serving to drive inhabitants progress. Between 2010 and 2019, the Hispanic inhabitants within the Valley grew by almost 11%, from 89.6% of the general inhabitants in 2010 to 91.5% in 2019. 

As the USA celebrates and honors the influence immigrants have on our nation throughout Immigrant Heritage Month, these contributions are additionally mirrored within the Rio Grande Valley. 

Greater than 25% of the 1.3 million Hispanic Texans within the Valley had been immigrants in 2019. These neighbors contribute in numerous methods to the social and financial material of our communities, from beginning companies that create jobs for all Texans, to serving on the PTA and in church buildings, and instructing the subsequent era in Ok-12 colleges. Hispanic immigrants are additionally supporting the native economic system, contributing greater than $1 billion in taxes yearly that assist preserve native infrastructure and fund native colleges, and holding $5 billion in spending energy that may go proper again into the neighborhood. The area’s Hispanic immigrants are additionally contributing to civic life, making up greater than 13% of the Valley’s eligible voters. 

The Rio Grande Valley has been an agricultural financial engine for Texas, giving us the world’s first gentle jalapeño pepper, which introduced salsa to the plenty in addition to Texas’ well-known ruby purple grapefruit.

Dr. Ben Villalón, a retired pepper breeder and Texas A&M AgriLife Analysis professor emeritus, says the Valley is “one of many richest farming areas of Texas; scientists have solved a number of the hardest issues with citrus, fruits, over 60 completely different greens, and plenty of agronomic crops, together with cotton, corn, sorghum and sugarcane within the state’s solely subtropical area.”

The brand new analysis on the contributions of Hispanic Texans to the Rio Grande Valley additional proves that U.S.-born and immigrant Hispanic residents are an integral a part of the state’s previous, current, and future. 

FILED UNDER: Texas