I moved to El Paso more than a decade ago, but before coming to the Sun City, my work in theater took me across the country — from Seattle to St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, New York City and everywhere in between. Here’s what I learned: cities never stay the same. They grow or they stagnate. They attract new industries and opportunities, or they lose their young talent.
As a UTEP professor, I’ve witnessed this “talent flight” firsthand. Bright El Paso students arrive full of promise, and after four years of hard work, many take their skills elsewhere. They love El Paso — who wouldn’t? We have a rich culture, warm people and stunning vistas. But, for many, the careers are somewhere else.
Take a look at 10-year growth forecasts for every major city in Texas. Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin all have robust predictions. El Paso’s growth, on the other hand, is expected to be quite tepid. Why? We are a gorgeous city with mild winters and low cost of living. But we fail to attract industry…