Aguascalientes Opina – February 13, 2025

Boosting the regional economy: Aguascalientes, Jesús María, and the challenge for other municipalities

By Aníbal Salazar

From this platform, we have frequently addressed the need to boost the economy and regional development in a comprehensive way. It’s not just about attracting external investments, but also about fostering creativity and local entrepreneurship as a growth engine. This combination is crucial to ensure that progress is not limited to major cities or privileged economic sectors but extends to all areas of the state.

Municipalities should not limit themselves to managing public services or channeling state and federal resources, as their role goes beyond administrative management. As the first line of contact for citizens, local governments have the responsibility to drive the economic and social development of their communities, acting as a “one-stop shop” that not only resolves immediate issues but also promotes local entrepreneurship, creates jobs, and improves the quality of life. In this way, municipalities become engines of microregional development, being key to the progress and well-being of their inhabitants.

Recently, three pieces of news have highlighted the coordinated work between the state government of Aguascalientes and the municipalities of Aguascalientes and Jesús María, which could be seen as a good sign of progress in this direction. Governor Teresa Jiménez continues her work tour in the United States, aiming to strengthen business collaboration. These efforts, which aim to promote projects in areas such as education, security, health, and commerce, are crucial to generating new opportunities both for the state and its entrepreneurs. Moreover, efforts to establish academic and commercial exchange programs are an excellent way to position Aguascalientes’ products in the U.S. market and strengthen cultural ties between both regions.

Similarly, the Aguascalientes City Council has taken a positive step by launching the 2025 Entrepreneur Training Cycle, aimed at strengthening key skills in areas like sales, marketing, and communication. Although not one of the municipality’s primary objectives, this initiative is a good example of how local authorities can support entrepreneurs, helping them improve their businesses and adapt to the realities of a competitive market. Additionally, an important aspect to consider in such training programs is guidance on the bureaucratic challenges entrepreneurs may face at the federal level, a topic that, if properly addressed, could ease the path for new businesses.

Meanwhile, the municipality of Jesús María has made a significant move with its Temporary Employment Program, which has incorporated 80 people into activities like urban beautification, pothole repair, and cleaning. However, the most notable aspect is that this program is now being strengthened with the inclusion of people from various trades and professions, who will lead workshops in areas such as gastronomy, beauty, sports, and music, benefiting hundreds of families in the community. This initiative, which has both a social and professional scope, seeks to improve the social fabric while simultaneously raising the quality of life of the inhabitants. The opening of new Community Development Centers (CEDECOS) in various areas of the municipality further strengthens this effort.

Despite these advances, a legitimate question arises: What are the other municipalities in the state doing? While Aguascalientes and Jesús María are driving concrete actions, it seems that other municipalities are not adopting initiatives of equal magnitude, which could lead to a setback in their development and, consequently, a decline in the quality of life for their inhabitants.

It is true that each municipality has its own particularities and challenges, but the reality is that regional economic development will only be possible if all municipalities, big and small, commit to the same vision of growth. Isolated efforts are not enough, and it is urgent that there be collaborative and coordinated work among all 11 municipalities to create an economic ecosystem that benefits all citizens, without leaving anyone behind.

It is time for other municipalities in the state to follow the example of Aguascalientes and Jesús María and take into account that local entrepreneurs, training programs, and employment are key areas for the development of our communities. Only with an integrated strategy, involving all actors and levels of government, can we generate real change in the quality of life for the citizens of Aguascalientes. The challenge is set, and the opportunity to advance together is on the table.

In time… and for your opinion.

Published in: Quiero Tv / Ciudad de Aguascalientes Magacín / A Opinión Magacín / Aguascalientes News.