Ep 41. Growing the Economies of The South Texas Diamond

In this episode of Beyond the Bite, host Eddie Aldrete begins with a tribute to the Late-Mike Allen, who led the McAllen Economic Development Corporation for many years. Inspired by a conversation with then-State Senator David Sibley of Waco, Allen founded the Texas Border Coalition. Allen, the consummate advocate for South Texas insisted on South Texas communities working together for the betterment of the region. The South Texas “Diamond,” is a phrase coined by Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai to include cities and counties from San Antonio south to the Rio Grande Valley. The Diamond, also referred to as the South Texas Triangle, encompasses not just South Texas, but Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico as well. Aldrete then connects Allen’s approach to the Greater San Antonio Chamber’s first ever, “State of the Region” luncheon featuring Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai; Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina; and Medina County Judge Keith Lutz. Judge Tijerina opens the conversation by highlighting Webb County's extensive economic growth, including a ground-breaking 30,000-acres of development and booming warehousing and residential projects. Alongside this, he discusses significant investments in public safety and infrastructure, a secondary water source in a drought-stricken region and the integration of multimodal transportation planning to address the swelling truck traffic and daily international trade crossings. Judge Sakai brings forward essential public safety initiatives in Bexar County, acknowledging the addition of nearly 100 new deputies and specialized law enforcement programs while identifying systemic challenges such as jail overcrowding. He emphasizes the need for collaborative regional partnerships and private-sector input to tackle transportation issues. Sakai further explores the potential benefits of high-speed passenger rail and economic plans along the newly proposed Green and Silver Lines of VIA’s Advanced Rapid Transit routes, designed to ease congestion and promote regional connectivity. And Judge Lutz shares insights into the infrastructure integration and public safety communications within Medina County, addressing the importance of consolidating emergency management, preparedness and response efficiency. He underscores the strategic planning underway for regional thoroughfare developments, vital for accommodating projected growth.https://www.sachamber.org/https://www.bexar.org/1855/Biographyhttps://www.webbcountytx.gov/CountyJudge/Biography/https://www.medinacountytexas.org/page/medina.county.judgehttps://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/statesman/name/michael-allen-obituary?id=23086669https://www.bexar.org/DocumentCenter/View/40958/TMASC-Report-2024?bidId=https://llanorealty.com/Podcast Production Services by EveryWord Media