Mission Mayor discusses developing Moore Air Base and luring Southwest Airlines to Upper Valley

MISSION, Texas - A memorandum between the cities of McAllen and Mission and their respective economic development corporations could help spur development of a new international airport at Moore Air Base, which could, in turn, attract Southwest Airlines.This is the view of Mission Mayor Armando O’Caña, who also believes the MOU could help the region lure a Chinese-owned maquiladora from Reynosa to the upper Rio Grande Valley.Martinez spoke in depth about the MOU at a board meeting of Mission Economic Development Corporation last Thursday. The meeting took place via the world wide web because of the need for social distancing. Mission EDC Chairman David Deanda began the discussion on the MOU. Mission EDC executive director Daniel Silva said McAllen is keen for such collaboration because Mission has a great track record when it comes to workforce development.In his remarks, Mayor O’Caña said he meets regularly with McAllen Mayor Jim Darling to discuss issues of importance to both Mission and McAllen. He told of a recent visit Darling made to China and how McAllen was trying to bring in a Chinese manufacturing company.  An MOU between the Mission and McAllen could help land such projects, O’Caña said.Another city Mission is looking to partner with is San Antonio, O’Caña said, in his report to the Mission EDC board of directors. He said Mission and San Antonio are working on a joint project to land a Brazilian company. Another reason the MOU would be advantageous, O’Caña argued, is it would hasten development north of Mission. He said the city leadership is in discussions with the Public Utility Commission of Texas about adding basic infrastructure north of 7-Mile Line. That would put development of Moore Air Base within striking range, the mayor said. McAllen’s current international airport, Miller, is landlocked and cannot expand, he said.Moore Air Base was deactivated by the U.S. Air Force in 1961. If Moore Air Base were to be developed by McAllen it would be of interest to Southwest Airlines, Mayor O’Caña said. Currently flying out of Valley International Airport in Harlingen, Southwest would like to be based in the Upper Valley, he said.In an interview with The Rio Grande Guardian after the Mission EDC board meeting, Mayor O’Caña said he hopes the MOU between Mission and McAllen can be expanded further to include Edinburg and Pharr. He said regionalization is key to future economic development in the Valley.Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.