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Job growth in the Rio Grande Valley is showing early gains in 2026, with increases in hospitality and construction, reflecting broader statewide trends reported in January, according to Julio Salinas, communications specialist for Workforce Solutions for Hidalgo, Willacy and Starr counties.
More than 300 job seekers attended a Community Job Fair, hosted by the Dustin Michael Sekula Memorial Library in partnership with Workforce Solutions and the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation, that featured over 40 employers.
Statewide, Texas reached record-high employment and labor force participation in January, according to the Office of the Governor. Salinas said the Valley is seeing similar momentum, particularly in service-based industries.
He said hospitality led local job growth with about 200 positions added in January, while construction followed with approximately 100 new jobs.
“Right now, we already have over 300 people that came through our doors [Thursday] looking for opportunities,” Salinas said.
He added the rise in hospitality jobs is tied to tourism and consumer activity while construction growth is linked to ongoing development and funding for new projects.
“These new positions could also be because of funding,” Salinas said. “We’re seeing new construction happening. Also hospitality, we see a lot of it in areas of tourism.”
He added while early numbers show growth, delays in federal labor data reporting have limited a full picture of how employment has changed since January and expects additional reports covering February through April to be released in the coming weeks.
Draya Rios/THE RIDER
Despite the uncertainty, Salinas said McAllen city officials are already anticipating expansion in other sectors. Salinas said a $225 million investment in the city is expected to bring higher-paying jobs that require more specialized skills.
Valeo, a French automotive supplier, broke ground March 24 to the multimillion “337,000 square-foot facility that will create up to 500 new jobs in the region,” according to the company’s news release.
“We are predicting that we will have growth in manufacturing,” Salinas said. “Those jobs are going to be high-paying jobs in the manufacturing area.”
However, he added filling the positions may present a challenge if workers are not adequately trained.
“You can have job openings but, if the person is not trained to take the job, it doesn’t really make sense,” Salinas said. “We want to make sure that people are trained to take those jobs and not have outsiders come in and take those positions.”
Ilinana Coronado, a UTRGV marine biology senior, said she is feeling uncertainty as she prepares to enter the workforce.
“I am very worried,” Coronado said. “I think about it less than I should, but I am very worried.”
She added her job search has so far been slow, with little response from employers.
“It’s been applying and waiting,” Coronado said. “I haven’t really heard anything back.”
She said she has applied to positions with state agencies and on-campus opportunities but has yet to secure a job.
Draya Rios/THE RIDER
