Year in Review: An interview with San Benito EDC Executive Director Rebeca Castillo

SAN BENITO, Texas - San Benito Economic Development Corporation is reflecting on a better than expected 2021.The Rio Grande Guardian met up with some of the group’s leaders at an open house just before the holiday season began. They struck an optimistic note.“This year (2021) has been a very good year,” said Rebeca Castillo, executive director of San Benito EDC. “In 2019 we did $5 million in economic activity. In 2020 it was $5.7 million. And this year, 2021, we are at $6.2 million.”“We have had a lot of development. A lot of growth. Just in the downtown area we have added five additional businesses in the past two years. We are not where we want to be but we are making good strides in moving our community forward.”Castillo noted that while the population of San Benito itself has remained steady at 25,000, there are 470,000 residents living within a 15 mile radius.“Just this week I met with three prospects that want to come in and do housing developments,” Castillo said. The projects range from 55 units all the way up to 120 units. Some of the houses will be priced in the $100,000 to $120,000, with others in the $250,000 to $280,000. “They are looking at locations, Castillo said of the developers.Editor's Note: To the full story go to the Rio Grande Guardian website. Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.