Tawil: McAllen remains a driving force on the US-Mexico border

Dear Readers, 

McAllen’s continued success is no accident; it is the result of careful planning, sound fiscal management and a deep commitment to excellence in public service. As City Manager, I am proud to oversee a municipal budget exceeding $650 million annually, ensuring that every dollar supports a high standard of living for our residents and a business-friendly environment for investors. 

McAllen earned multiple national accolades in 2024, including recognition for community safety, economic resilience, and infrastructure development. Year over year, travelers are choosing McAllen as a destination. As a gateway city, McAllen benefits significantly from proximity to the US-Mexico border. The region accounts for $40-plus million annually in trade, with ongoing increases tied to supply chain diversification. The McAllen International Airport reached the one millionth customer mark, an accomplishment that reflects the airport’s continued record breaking growth and enhanced domestic and international connectivity. And coming soon, the Anzalduas International Bridge Expansion will open for northbound cargo thanks to an $88 million expansion project. This development will significantly enhance our capacity for facilitating exports of dried goods to US markets.

Anticipated to open in 2026, the $76 million Quinta Mazatlan Center for Urban Ecology (CUE) is a World Class destination venue to promote environmental education to the public. Programming will include a premier research lab on urban ecological sciences and applications for students in STEM. In addition, the CUE will have green spaces, the Ethnobotanical Garden, Sensory Garden, a Park and Ride, Leadership Course, Classrooms, Science Lab, outdoor amphitheater, Wellness pavilion, and see the planting of 24,000 new native plants. Stakeholders include the State of Texas, Texas Parks & Wildlife, Hidalgo County, the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, and McAllen Independent School District, among other public and private donations. 

For the third time, the City was named IFEA World Festival and Event City. This includes a growing portfolio of destination city events, 800-plus Events with an Economic Impact over $91 million, that earned 75 Awards during the 2024 IFEA World Festival and Event City Awards. These include multiple events hosted by Quinta Mazatlan, including Planta Nativa and ReFest, the McAllen Public Library’s World Languages Festival and South Texas Book Festival, the McAllen Convention Center’s CarFest, South Pole Illuminated Festival, MXLAN, and Broadway Series, and the McAllen Parks & Recreation Department’s McAllen Marathon event series. 

Our city boasts first-rate infrastructure, a clean and well-maintained urban landscape, world class destination events and venues, and dependable public service that consistently public services that consistently exceed expectations. Through proactive leadership and long-term vision, McAllen remains a driving force on the US-Mexico border, setting the pace for growth, innovation, and cross-border collaboration.

Sincerely, 

Isaac J. Tawil

City Manager

City of McAllen

Editor’s Note: The above commentary was penned by Isaac J. Tawil, city manager for the City of McAllen. It first appeared in the 2025 edition of McAllen Economic Pulse, a McAllen Economic Development Corporation publication.

The post Tawil: McAllen remains a driving force on the US-Mexico border appeared first on Rio Grande Guardian.