Sun City among nation's leaders in weathering a brutal recession

In the midst of the worst recession since the Great Depression, no American city is doing great, but a study being released today shows that El Paso's economy is stronger than all but 10 of the nation's 100 largest cities.

[Roberto]

If you have nothing, there is nothing to lose. In addition, we have the advantage of being next to Juarez. Regardless of all the haters out there, the Juarense (and other Mexican) shoppers, students etc. help keep our economy going, and industries such as the maquila keep our (and Mexico's) people employed. www.dimequecrees.com

[Mary]

Roberto wrote:

If you have nothing, there is nothing to lose. In addition, we have the advantage of being next to Juarez. Regardless of all the haters out there, the Juarense (and other Mexican) shoppers, students etc. help keep our economy going, and industries such as the maquila keep our (and Mexico's) people employed. www.dimequecrees.com

But they don't pay taxes so I don't know how that helps any. They use our school system that we pay taxes on, and Thomason that we pay taxes on as well.

[Rey]

Explain how weathering the recession disregard the 14-20 million budget shortfall.

Just some spin to take your eye off the ball.

[concern citizen]

Why doesnt the news report also that it is the lowest paid city in the states. The average income in El Paso is below 35 k and that is with both mom and dad working. The only reason retailers are doing ok compared to other cities is because of Mexico, we are a border town and many people come accross to buy. Wake up and please dont say we are all doing great here because city officials start raisning the rent, home values continue to increase at ridiculous rates - we are not a beach town that people want to come to live here for the scenary but we are getting all of the soldiers and that is the main reason home values gone up , if was not for them this town would still be very low paid along with high unemployment. I also agree that there is nothing to do, one good note is the Zoo expansion which took decades to make.

[aaa]

Nice work El Paso, keep hitting those positive headlines!

[RocketScientist]

Roberto wrote:

If you have nothing, there is nothing to lose. In addition, we have the advantage of being next to Juarez. Regardless of all the haters out there, the Juarense (and other Mexican) shoppers, students etc. help keep our economy going, and industries such as the maquila keep our (and Mexico's) people employed. www.dimequecrees.com

Amen to that. All you Mexico haters need to stfu. Yes the El Paso economy sucks but hey it always has! But it hasn't gotten worse!

[i hate dumb people]

RocketScientist wrote:

<quoted text>
Amen to that. All you Mexico haters need to stfu. Yes the El Paso economy sucks but hey it always has! But it hasn't gotten worse!

Dumb and dumber, in the flesh. El Paso's economy isn't doing good because of Mexico it's because of the military (specifically BRAC) and all that comes with it. Morons.

[Mark B]

i hate dumb people wrote:

<quoted text>
Dumb and dumber, in the flesh. El Paso's economy isn't doing good because of Mexico it's because of the military (specifically BRAC) and all that comes with it. Morons.

You are the one who is uninformed; name calling is not cool.

$50,000,000,000 in trade and a growing regional/international trade base fueled by El Paso/Juarez/Southern NM which will make for the fourth largest manufacturing site in the Americas, a new medical school complex, and what you alluded to - the Future Combative Systems network is coming, and the fourth largest Amry base in the USA being built here are all part of the mix.

Billions are being spent by the state and federal government to shore up the infrastructure of this area for all of the above, not just for the military to make amends for decades of neglect. And UTEP is being prepared for a higher status that will propel this region into the forefront as a research university and all that comes with that mix.

Unemployment in El Paso continues to be lower than the nation average, housing prices are stable and the City of El Paso has a very progressive Council which will in the next four years help us build the foundation needed to move us up and make us competitive and bring Quality of Life to this City.

El Paso will become a major regional/national player with the investment to make Santa Teresa a component of the international trade scene. Plans also call for major international bridges in El Paso, Fabens and Tornillo. Tornillo in 20 years will be as big as are the plans for Santa Teresa are today. El Paso has made a major investment to prepare for the growth of Ft. Bliss with the passage of billions in bonds for the schools, infrastrucure and quality of life.

Just the shear numbers will make El Paso Metro Area a major force. Call people names but facts are facts. Its Manufacturing, Military, Medicine, and Research.

[RocketScientist]

i hate dumb people wrote:

<quoted text>
Dumb and dumber, in the flesh. El Paso's economy isn't doing good because of Mexico it's because of the military (specifically BRAC) and all that comes with it. Morons.

Lol so all those Front Chi plates you see at the mall or at our restaurants don't help? Not to mention the increasing population of Mexican nationals fleeing the violence in Mexico that now live here in El Paso that have been supporting our businesses and proping up our home values which has contributed to us being more recession proof than most cities? BRAC helps a lot too but I don't think you can compete with the 1.6 million Mexicans as opposed to 70,000 new military and dependants. Even if they spend a fraction of what the military guys do El Paso wouldn't be what it is with out Mexico.