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New economic development staff highlights local job growth, housing need and major private investments
Summary
The city’s recently hired economic development staff presented a two‑month review Dec. 9, reporting new business openings, large private investments and programs aimed at workforce and housing, and pledged follow‑up on housing price data and development sites.
At the Mexico City Council meeting on Dec. 9, the city’s new economic development staff member — identified in the meeting as Gigi — summarized market research and local initiatives, highlighting 24 new business listings this year and recent private investments that she said could substantially expand local employment.
Gigi told the council she has been on the job “just under 2 months” and reported 24 new businesses, 17 of which she said are brick‑and‑mortar. She said single‑family building permits totaled 22 in 2024, with one renovation project documented, and that staff are tracking housing developments related to the city’s Housing Incentive Program.
She cited two recent private investments as notable: a meat‑products firm she named in partnership with Chomps that she said plans to create about 280 jobs and invest roughly $67,000,000 in the community, and a solar farm project she said had about $44,600,000 in building and equipment costs south of the North Fork Western Railroad tracks. Gigi also noted national recognitions earned by local residents and described workforce and youth programs — including partnerships with the Mexico Chamber of Commerce, Main Street, the YMCA and school‑based after‑school offerings — as contributing to local labor pipelines.
On data, Gigi demonstrated results from Placer AI showing downtown event visitation: a Holiday Open House one day drew about 2,600 visitors with an average dwell time of 97 minutes; over the four‑day Shop Small promotion she said the downtown district saw about 5,300 visits and an average visit length of 107 minutes. When asked how average dwell time is measured, she said Placer AI calculates it using mobile device location data.
Housing affordability drew council scrutiny. One councilmember asked whether homes listed at roughly $130,000–$150,000 (permits cited) still qualified as “workforce housing” in a market where other listings she observed were $168,000–$169,000 and some newer homes approached $200,000. Gigi acknowledged housing remains a concern and said she is actively meeting with landowners and an out‑of‑state workforce housing developer; she committed to provide more detailed site and price information to the council.
Gigi said she will continue outreach to local firms, promote community assets and pursue partnerships to support employment and housing growth. The presentation closed with council thanks and a request that staff provide the additional housing cost and site information promised.
