A recent study by Welcome Home RGV and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has brought good news and allayed fears of many local officials and residents: Our Winter Texans are coming back.
The COVID-19 pandemic raised many concerns among Valley residents and officials. Of course, there were the obvious fears of catching the viral disease that has killed and weakened thousands of people here and millions more worldwide, and secondary worries that officials who invoked emergency powers might be less inclined to release those powers once the public threat subsided.
Another concern, especially for public officials, is the pandemic’s affect on local economies, and how that could affect tax and other revenues that are based on economic activity, and the public services that depend on those revenues.
A large part of Valley life and culture includes the seasonal addition of Winter Texans, who add spark to local events and entertainment venues as well as contributing significantly to the local economy.
As might be expected, the pandemic convinced many people to forgo many activities, including many visits from our winter neighbors. Their reduced presence in the Valley was noticeable, even considering the fact that many of our local festivals such as the Hidalgo Borderfest and Brownsville’s Charro Days were canceled last year. Business at other permanent entertainment venues and events as well as Valley restaurants, which lost business from local residents as well, lacked the merry groups of older patrons enjoying the activities and filling large tables at local eateries.
Winter Texans’ presence obviously adds much to Valley life and culture. The economic benefit can’t be discounted either. Traditionally, our part-time residents add nearly $2 billion to the region’s economy. For the last couple of years their absence has reduced that benefit by more than half.
Fortunately, the Welcome Home RGV report reveals that Winter Texans’ presence once again is increasing. More than 100,000 came here this winter, bringing some $1.2 billion to the economy. That activity drew nearly $83 million in local taxes, which provides infrastructure improvements and public services that benefit everyone.
The report also provides information that could ease the worries of many people who wondered if future retirees might not have the resources to split their years in two separate locations, or prefer to use their money taking cruises or shorter vacations to worldwide tourist sites.
It appears that the next generation of retirees is just as eager to move south for the winter. According to the report, Winter Texans overall are getting younger. Many people are retiring at a younger age and many others, however, appear to be still employed or taking on second careers, taking advantage of their ability to use the internet to conduct business and communicate with employers and clients.
As the pandemic continues to abate and our lives return to normal, it appears that we can be confident that our winter visitors will continue to enrich Valley life for the foreseeable future. That’s welcome news.
