We often look at this type of information in a vacuum, sometimes entirely devoid of context. If you look at the historic unemployment rates for the Brownsville SMSA, it will become immediately apparent that the area has lagged behind the state and Texas for years. Except for a few instances, it has led the state and nation in high unemployment rates.
Numerous strategies have been tried in the past, but as you can see, the economic development and educational initiatives put in place by local, state and national officials have hardly made a dent in the rates. Is it time to try something different?)