The City of McAllen, Texas, retained KKC to draft its Comprehensive Plan, which included developing an economic development strategy. The recommendations outlined are based on two key assumptions: (1) that attracting, retaining, and developing talent is paramount to the current and future success of McAllen, and (2) that much of the new wealth created in McAllen will be from business expansions and entrepreneurship. It is projected that the City will become the business center for a region whose population will approach two million people (on the U.S. side of the border). The City should be positioned so that it can better compete with other regional commercial centers such as Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Monterrey. For McAllen to achieve this vision as an international business destination, it will require broadening the scope of economic activities occurring within the area to include a focus on financial, business, legal, and other corporate or professional services.
The foundation for this economic transition will be built on the following three pillars:
- Increase the entrepreneurial capacity to allow for business startups and innovation to flourish.
- Enhance downtown McAllen and Central Park to allow them to serve as commercial, cultural, and entertainment centers for the Valley.
- Develop, retain, and attract talent to allow McAllen to emerge as a leading destination for educated and skilled workers regionally, State‐wide, and bi‐nationally.
