Mercedes, Texas

and that water sometimes becomes unhealthy. So, we approved a project to loop that water line, at a cost of about $160,000. It means we won’t have stagnant water anymore; it will be perpetually circulating. Those are just some of the infrastructure projects we have going on now.” The Development Corporation of Mercedes is a publicly-funded, non-profit corporation established to create jobs in the city by attracting new industry and business, as well as assisting expansion of existing companies. Executive Director of the Development Corporation, Melissa Ramirez, shares, “Over the course of about three years, Mercedes has focused on industrial development and increasing rooftops throughout the community. That has added about $40 million of construction projects to the city and the tax base. Those projects are city-driven/EDC-driven, so we’ve become a resource partner for developers. The largest project in recent times is the FedEx facility which is anchored in our Mercedes Light Industrial Park and will bring about 125 jobs to the community, this year. The park is owned by the City of Mercedes and the Mercedes EDC, and we’re actively marketing it.” The City also has a new, 128-unit, luxury apartment complex under construction with easy access from the expressway. The Raybeck development is valued at about $6.8 million and slated for opening in the fall of 2019. With those two projects, and others in the pipeline, the EDC hopes to increase retail development. Currently, Mercedes has an Outlet Mall with over 130 stores and the goal is to have more retail businesses nearby to complement the Mall. Ramirez adds, “We also have a significant Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show that is known as a scholarship program for youth. Kids raise an animal all year, then bring it to the show and sell it. The experiences teaches them about responsibility, finances, and it’s a huge draw for the community during March. The Livestock Show grounds are open year-round, so they have a variety of events targeting specific demographics; Winter Texan events, family-focused events, concerts - we’re the fourth largest rodeo in MERCEDES , TEXAS