The Prosperity Task Force (PTF) and RioPlex are two parts of a unified effort to transform our region’s economic future. The Prosperity Task Force helped to create RioPlex, and both organizations share a mission: to industrialize the region and create greater prosperity for the people who call it home.
Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez has been clear that every family in Hidalgo County deserves a path to a higher quality of life. The Prosperity Task Force advances that vision by focusing on alignment, policy, and regional strategy. RioPlex serves as the execution arm—engaging industry, attracting investment, and building partnerships that bring jobs and economic opportunity to the region.
In a region where opportunities have historically been unevenly distributed and poverty rates remain high, this structure is intentional. The Prosperity Task Force sets the strategic direction. RioPlex builds the engine. Together, they move the region toward a future where prosperity is shared across communities and families will have a better quality of life.
As Chairman of RioPlex, Joaquin Spamer reinforces the importance of private-sector leadership in this effort. Long-term economic growth cannot be achieved through policy alone—business leaders must drive it through regional collaboration. Through RioPlex, our goal is to ensure that companies, investors, and industry stakeholders are engaged early, aligned, and positioned to succeed.
A key part of this movement is recognizing those who take action to advance regional prosperity. This year, the Hidalgo County Community Service Agency (CSA) awarded me the Prosperity Warrior recognition for my work leading the Prosperity Task Force and serving as Executive Director of RioPlex.
I accept this award with great honor and humility, but I do so on behalf of the entire Prosperity Task Force collaboration. The recognition represents far more than the work of one individual—it reflects a collective commitment shared by Judge Richard F. Cortez, Joaquin Spamer, Chairman of RioPlex, the Prosperity Task Force team, the RioPlex Board, and ambassadors across the region. We are aligned with one objective: building a stronger economic future together.
The Prosperity Warrior Award will continue as an annual recognition, highlighting individuals who advance economic opportunity, strengthen the workforce, promote regional alignment, and raise funds for those who need extra assistance. The purpose is not only to honor leadership but to inspire others to step forward and contribute to this shared mission.
The Hidalgo County Community Service Agency (CSA) is a critical partner in advancing prosperity throughout our region. Under the leadership of Executive Director Jaime R. Longoria, who also serves as group leader of the Prosperity Task Force’s Finance Group, CSA helps individuals and families move toward financial independence and long-term stability.
One of CSA’s most impactful initiatives is the Strive. Rise. Thrive. Gala, which raises funds to support students who need additional financial assistance to complete their education. Many students in our region face financial gaps that are not covered by traditional scholarships or aid programs. The Gala provides direct support to ensure these students can finish their degrees and enter the workforce prepared to succeed.
Education is one of the most powerful drivers of economic mobility. By helping students cross the finish line, CSA strengthens the region’s talent pipeline, reduces generational poverty, and ensures more residents can participate in the prosperity we are working to create.
The Prosperity Warrior initiative amplifies this mission by encouraging business and community leaders to invest in students, remove barriers, and support pathways to success. It transforms recognition into action.
The work ahead is ambitious, but the path is clear: align strategy, engage industry, invest in the people who will shape the region’s future. The Prosperity Task Force sets the vision. RioPlex mobilizes the private sector to execute it. CSA ensures residents are equipped to benefit from the opportunities created.
Prosperity is not a passive outcome—it is a coordinated effort driven by leadership, collaboration, and a belief that our region has the potential to compete and win on a global stage. We are building that future together, and the foundation being laid today will determine the opportunities available to families for generations to come.
We must create our own future.
