Summit Polls Community Members on Economic Development Initiative

By Jared Janes, The Monitor

EDINBURG — For Mercedes pastor Jim Edge, economic development goes hand-in-hand with helping his church’s congregants.

So when Edge found out about a community summit for a countywide economic development initiative, he naturally wanted to add his own input into the process.

Edge, a retired engineer who pastors at Immanuel Lutheran Church, said he’s seen his share of the county’s challenges, from its poor graduation rates to its lacking infrastructure.

But he’s also seen assets that he believes the county can build on in the future.

“We’re excited to be in Hidalgo County,” said Edge, who moved here with his wife, Dena, five years ago. “We’re on the cusp of some really neat developments down here.”