Representing the Delta on the State Stage
When the words “City of Elsa” echoed across the Fort Worth arena in front of more than 3,500 city officials, it was a moment the team will never forget. And then it happened again.
The City Council and leadership team — including department directors, the City Manager, and the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) — attended the Texas Municipal League (TML) Conference in Fort Worth, where Elsa was honored with two Municipal Excellence Awards in the category for cities under 25,000 residents.
Throughout the conference, Elsa’s delegation joined sessions, explored the vendor hall, and connected with partners from across the state. But the highlight came during the awards ceremony, when the team walked to the front of the arena to accept both trophies — with a reserved front row for Elsa.
By the end of the week, the gold ribbons on their badges reading “Municipal Excellence Award Winner” had become conversation starters, as city leaders from across Texas stopped to say congratulations. Other cities from the Rio Grande Valley celebrated alongside them, proud to see Elsa representing the Delta and the RGV on the state stage.
Pacific Trails: A Park Built for People
Elsa’s Public Works Award recognized the completion of Pacific Trails: Linear Park System, a six-year transformation of an abandoned railroad right-of-way into the city’s largest public space.
Pacific Trails features:
- A splash pad with a sustainable water recapture system
- Shaded walking trails and fitness stations
- A volleyball court, skatepark, dog park, and disc golf course
- The Garden, an outdoor event venue for concerts, markets, and festivals
Anchored by local businesses like Scooter’s Coffee and Fundamentals Gym, Pacific Trails connects recreation with local commerce. The $3 million project was funded through a mix of city, EDC, and MDD resources, alongside support from Texas Parks and Wildlife, Valley Baptist Land Fund, and HUD.
The Growth Signal: Innovation in Communication
Elsa’s Communication Programs Award went to The Growth Signal, a podcast produced by the Elsa EDC and the City Manager’s Office to modernize how the city connects with small business owners and residents.
Hosted by human-like AI-generated voices, each short episode delivers local updates, business opportunities, and success stories in an easy-to-access format across platforms like Spotify, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Using digital tools such as ChatGPT, Eleven Labs, CapCut, and Canva, a single staff member produces each episode efficiently — showing how Elsa can compete with much larger cities through smart use of technology and creativity.
Why These Awards Matter
These statewide recognitions validate what Elsa’s residents already know — that the city’s progress is driven by teamwork, planning, and shared vision.
Elsa continues to punch above its weight, using innovation and collaboration to deliver projects that strengthen community life and expand opportunity.
Looking Ahead: Building Together
Elsa will continue investing in Pacific Trails, developing it into the Delta’s premier park and encouraging residents to use and care for the space.
The Growth Signal will keep growing as a trusted voice for the city, offering updates, insights, and stories that connect the community.
Heading into 2026, the City of Elsa remains committed to progress — and to always building a better Elsa together.
