TECATE.- More than 300 million pesos (around 23 million dollars) will be invested in Tecate this year by Baja California's State Government, via the Secretary of Infrastructure and Urban Development (SIDUE) in order to support various projects that will incentivize the local economy, promote tourism, and improve the quality of life of residents.

During a monthly session held amongst various government and civil organizations, the Vice Secretary of the SIDUE, German Jesus Lizola Marquez, highlighted the fact that it is one of Governor Francisco Vega's top priorities to develop the city, which is why his administration will incentivize the city's economy with projects that will spur competition and promote tourism in the denominated "Magical Town".

The Magical Town denomination is an official recognition developed by Mexico's Secretary of Tourism to highlight towns with collective importance for nationals and foreigners alike. Tecate is the only Pueblo Magico thus far designated for the State of Baja California, and puts it on a list that includes towns like San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Cholula, and Real de Catorce.

According to Marquez, "the projects that will take place this year will be targeted at the Traditional Downtown area as part of the "Tecate Magical Town" project, as well as other projects that will take course over many years under this administration and seek to revitalize the downtown area, outfit it with new urban fixtures, improve the main park, and generally improve the urban image to fit this distinction, which will mean that power lines, water lines and other infrastructure must be relocated."

Marquez explained that the State Government is currently in discussions with Tecate's Municipal Government in order to finalize remaining details related to the projects that will get started this year and will receive thirteen million pesos in funding this year alone. The government will also reach out to the public and inform them of any hassles that might come about as a result of construction efforts.

Other projects that are already in course and set for completion include work performed on the State's Art Center, buildings to be used for Musical Arts and Plastic Arts, and recreation and sports areas constructed around the cultural complex, all of which are also part of the Rio Tecate revival project.

This year many pavementing projects will be initiated in the Escudero and Bella Vista neighborhoods, thus benefiting hundreds of residents and facilitating access by public transportation, trash collection, and other services.

The Municipalities public swimming pool will also undergo remodeling, which will include a new entry way, exterior fencing, bathroom facilities.

It is expected that these projects will not affect the summer season's activities.

Various State and Municipal Organizations will invest between 18 million and 31 million pesos in other projects that will benefit Tecate's residents, and will include improvements to educational infrastructure and improvements to the Centinela-Rumorosa highway, an essential connection between Tecate and the rest of the state.

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