In a new episode of The Building Texas Show, host Justin McKenzie interviews Del Rio Mayor Al Arreola about the city's economic trajectory, infrastructure challenges, and its role as a modern Texas border community. Recorded in Del Rio, the conversation moves beyond national headlines to focus on long-term growth driven by collaboration, safety, and strategic investment.
Mayor Arreola emphasizes that Del Rio's population stability and inbound relocation from across the country are fostering renewed confidence in the city's future. A key anchor for this growth is Laughlin Air Force Base, which continues to attract highly skilled professionals, many of whom choose to stay due to the city's quality of life, affordability, and strong sense of community.
The episode also highlights Del Rio's growing regional cooperation with Ciudad Acuña, Eagle Pass, and Piedras Negras. Rather than competing, border cities are aligning around shared goals: economic growth, secure ports of entry, and efficient cross-border commerce. Mayor Arreola notes that what impacts one city ultimately impacts the entire region.
Infrastructure emerges as the defining issue for the years ahead. From water and wastewater capacity to transportation and border crossings, Del Rio is focused on ensuring its systems can support future industry, residents, and trade. A proposed second international bridge, while controversial, represents a long-term investment in mobility, supply chains, and economic resilience.
Tourism and outdoor recreation remain vital to the local economy. Lake Amistad continues to draw anglers, hunters, and visitors from across Texas, supporting events, hospitality, and seasonal tourism even amid fluctuating water levels.
Throughout the episode, Mayor Arreola returns to a central theme: Del Rio's identity as a welcoming, relationship-driven community. From cross-border families and military households to entrepreneurs and visitors, the city's culture of hospitality remains one of its strongest assets. “This is a city built on friendship,” Arreola explains, referencing the enduring meaning of Amistad. “People come here and feel like they belong—and that’s what makes them stay.”
The episode offers a grounded, on-the-record look at how Del Rio is positioning itself for the next decade—focused not on rhetoric, but on infrastructure, cooperation, and measurable growth.
