MERCEDES — Hernan Gonzalez crossed over the levee with his boots on to become the Development Corp. of Mercedes’ executive director.
Before that he worked for the Weslaco Economic Development Corp.
And since he took over in Mercedes two years ago there has been an increase in Mercedes’ infrastructure and business investment.
“You’ve seen some steady improvement in Mercedes the last couple of years,” Gonzalez said. “We’re working to position Mercedes to get some investments.”
Gonzalez’s plan was to reacquaint people in the Rio Grande Valley and investors with Mercedes using its long tradition of the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show and country boot-making as the backbone to market the city.
“People know about the outlet mall and the stock show but very few people have driven into Mercedes,” Gonzalez said.
He said developers have told him they forget about Mercedes more often than not.
“One of the things we have set out to do is get Mercedes noticed,” Gonzalez said.
“Mercedes has a good brand and we’re going to build on that.”
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The corporation’s total revenues during the preceding fiscal year, October 2014 to September 2015
Sales Tax Revenue – $1,698,151
Other Revenues – $1,173,261
The corporation’s total fiscal year expenditures during the preceding fiscal year, October 2014 to September 2015
Personnel – $281,169
Marketing and Promotion – $126,634
Direct Business Incentives – $432,077
Debt Services – $342,989
Other – $1,328,288
Source: Texas Comptroller
