During his 2025 State of the City Address, McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos addressed why he spends considerable time in Mexico, emphasizing Mexico’s significant role in McAllen’s success. “Mexico believes in McAllen. Mexico embraces McAllen. Mexico invests in McAllen,” Villalobos stated. He highlighted the mutual dependence between McAllen and Mexico for trade, commerce, tourism, and even familial ties.
Villalobos praised the networking opportunities at McAllen’s annual MxLAN Summit, noting that the 2024 event attracted over 40 businesses and 90 participants from various Mexican states, including Aguascalientes, Chihuahua, Durango, Jalisco, and Tamaulipas. He mentioned that the summit fostered more than 37 new business partnerships and opportunities for McAllen.
The mayor credited the newly established Department of International Relations for its immediate impact, bringing representatives from countries like Ireland and France, as well as Mexican states such as San Luis Potosí, Apodaca, Puerto Vallarta, Reynosa, and Monterrey. Additionally, delegations from Aguascalientes, Chihuahua, Durango, Oaxaca, Puebla, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Veracruz, and Zacatecas visited McAllen.
Villalobos highlighted several key agreements, including those with the World Trade Center Monterrey, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, and COMCE Noreste. McAllen also secured trade agreements with San Luis Potosí and reaffirmed sister city agreements with its capital, alongside establishing a friendship partnership with Tampico. These agreements aim to boost economic growth, develop new businesses, and strengthen cultural connections.
Discussing McAllen’s two international bridges, Villalobos emphasized their importance in the city’s global connectivity. He reported that over 19.3 million vehicles and pedestrians crossed northbound to McAllen’s businesses and events last year, with commercial truck traffic doubling year-over-year. Villalobos announced the upcoming $88 million expansion of the Anzalduas International Bridge, expected to process around 2,000 commercial trucks daily.
City Commissioner Rudy Castillo provided further details on the Anzalduas Bridge expansion, highlighting its significance for McAllen’s international partnerships and economic growth. San Luis Potosí Governor Ricardo Gallardo Cardona and a Mexican delegation toured the project, endorsing it as a preferred crossing point for the state’s automotive cluster.
Villalobos concluded by reaffirming McAllen’s commitment to building international partnerships, promoting economic development, and enhancing cultural connections. He expressed optimism about the city’s limitless potential and future prospects.
Source: Rio Grande The Guardian
