What is the basis of the Valley economy?
Historically the Valley economy was based on agriculture. Today agriculture remains important, but it has been over shadowed by commerce and industry, stimulated by the North American Free Trade Association with Mexico. Tourism is a very large economic generator. Workers from the Valley work all across the US and send money home, and the Federal government employs a large number of customs, border patrol, immigration agents and DEA staff in this area. Unfortunately too there is money in the illegal drug trade and because Texas is a popular import point for illegal drugs some of this money no doubt filters into the local economy. Despite this activity it remains a very safe area to visit. Medical care and schools are very large industries in the Valley attracting much State and Federal money. We have a much large proportion of children in our population than most of the US. With 150,000 Winter Texans here every winter, most of whom are older than 60, we have great hospitals to serve the
