Economic Development Studies

Economic Development Studies

The Texas General Land Office (GLO) provides Texas communities impacted by natural disasters, such as hurricanes and flooding, with strategies to expand the region's job base and build more sustainable, resilient economies. The Economic Development Studies were funded through Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) allocated by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) to address recovery needs resulting from Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and the 2019 floods that impacted the Rio Grande Valley. The GLO conducted the Economic Development Studies in the Lower Rio Grande Valley and nine counties impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

Lower Rio Grande Valley Economic Development Study

Complete: May 2024

Study Area Counties: Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy Counties in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV)

This study brings together three counties impacted by flooding in 2019 to build an inventory of the economic assets and areas for improvement within the study area, provide economic development strategies, and develop an action plan for creating a diverse and resilient economic base.

Study Videos 

• Introduction
• Strengthening Regional Collaborations
• Live, Work and Play in LRGV
• Transportation Planning Priorities
• Enhancing Regional Economic Resilience

Spanish

• Introducción
• Fortaleciendo las Colaboraciones Regionales
• Vive, Trabaja y Juega en el LRGV
• Prioridades de Planificación del Transporte con Diversificación Económica
• Mejorar la Resiliencia Económica Regional

Nine County Economic Development Strategy & Diversification Study

Complete: June 2021

Study Area Counties: Aransas, Bee, Calhoun, Goliad, Jim Wells, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, and Victoria 

The Texas General Land Office conducted an Economic Development Strategy and Diversification Study covering nine South Texas counties. The study examines workforce, infrastructure, education, and housing, among other areas, to develop strategies that diversify and strengthen local economies against future storms. 

Study Videos 

• Introduction
• Addressing Storms and Other Shocks with Resilient Solutions
• Growing Our Economic Success
• Attracting Families and Visitors