Tourism Industry
South Padre Island's primary industry is tourism and recreation related support businesses. Due to the growth on the Island, the tourism industry is continuing to thrive. As a result of hosting an estimated 3 million annual visitors, the Island is successfully supporting four full service hotels, over 60 restaurants, a wide variety of entertainment options and a diverse group of retail shops.

Location
South Padre Island, Texas is located at the eastern edge of Cameron County in the growing Rio Grande Valley of Texas. The Valley consists of four counties. The counties from west to east are Starr, Hidalgo, Willacy and Cameron.

Utilities
South Padre Island is equipped to supply electrical, water, telephone and other public service needs to industry in the Laguna Madre Area. Electrical service can be obtained from several suppliers (www.powertochoose.org). The Laguna Madre Water District manages water and sewer needs (956-943- 2626). Telecommunication service is available through AT&T, and industrial waste disposal is provided by Allied Waste (1-800-423-7316).

Education
The Island is within a 90-minute drive of two four-year universities, (University of Texas at Brownsville and University of Texas Pan American at Edinburg), a technical and vocational training program, a university preparatory program and the Marine Military Academy. The children of Island residents are part of the Point Isabel Independent School District (www.pi-isd.net). In addition, South Padre Island is conveniently located to several private schools in Laguna Vista, Brownsville and Harlingen.

Labor
Low wage costs and high productivity levels characterize the Rio Grande Valley labor force. The local labor force is drawn from the Laguna Madre Area and the surrounding communities of Brownsville and Los Fresnos. According to the Texas Workforce Commission, the unemployment rate for Cameron County in January 2008 was 6.5% and the unemployment rate for 2008 on South Padre Island is 3.1 percent. The current year estimated per capita income is $38,509, compared to an estimate of $25,495 for the United States as a whole.

Taxes
The State of Texas has no state income tax and allows for local tax incentives and exemptions from state sales tax. Local taxing discounts include a $15,000 homestead exemption, a 20 percent exemption on Laguna Madre Water District and Town of South Padre Island taxes. Cameron County offers a $12,000 exemption to taxpayers over the ages of 65. Ad valorem taxes are assessed and collected by the Point Isabel ISD Tax Office. The Town of South Padre Island levies a 2 percent sales tax and a 7 percent hotelmotel occupancy tax. Contact the Cameron County Appraisal District (956-399-9322) or the website www.cameroncad.org.

Population
The resident population of South Padre Island in the 2000 Census was 2,422. Estimated number of inhabitants in 2008 is 5,900. Due to the large number of visitors, the resident population is only a small percentage of the total number of people who are in the Town of South Padre Island at any given time. South Padre Island's population has a high median age of 51.77 as compared to 27 for Cameron County. The Rio Grande Valley area has been one of the fastest growing areas in the nation, with a 54 percent increase in population since 1980.

Climate
South Padre Island is a year-round vacation destination located at practically the same latitude as Miami, Florida. The Island enjoys a sub-tropical environment with mild, dry winters and warm, breezy summers.

Transportation
South Padre Island boasts access to four airports, three waterways and is 45 minutes from the population center of the Rio Grande Valley. U.S. Highways 77, 281 and 83 provide passage to South Padre Island. Locally free transportation is provided by the Town's own public transportation system, the Wave.

Government
South Padre Island operates under a Town form of government. The Board of Aldermen consists of the Mayor and five Aldermen, all elected. They, in turn, hire a city manager. The Board of Aldermen meets the first and third Wednesday of each month. Five elected commissioners, who meet every Tuesday afternoon to manage county affairs, govern Cameron County.

Area Businesses

Medical Care in the South Padre Island Area
Dial 9-1-1 for all medical emergencies!!!

Family and emergency dental services are provided by:

The Dentist - Emma L. Gavito, DDS
4912 Padre Blvd., South Padre Island
(956) 761-1012

Dr. Grayson Sellers
314 Queen Isabella Blvd
Port Isabel, Texas
(956) 943-4166


General and emergency Chiropractic care is available at:

• South Padre Island Chiropractic and Wellness Clinic
  3311 Padre Blvd., Suite B
  South Padre Island
  (956) 761-6006
  
  
• Laguna Madre Chiropractic
  402 S. Garcia, Port Isabel
  (956) 943-9943
  (956) 943-9355

Four full-service hospitals are available in the immediate area

Valley Baptist Medical Center Brownsville has been providing medical services in the Rio Grande Valley since 1923. A 200 plus-bed, acute care facility, the hospital is operated by over 850 professionals. The Valley Baptist Medical Center Brownsville is a full service facility, offering both inpatient and outpatient service ranging from simple laboratory tests, to those requiring sophisticated technology such as magnetic resonance imaging. VBMCB offers a wide range of cardiac services, The Center for Diabetes Management, an Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility, and a special facility devoted to Women's Medical Services that includes 32-beds, a new 21,500 square foot Emergency Department, a 32-bed Newborn Nursery and meeting rooms for Women's Service events. The Professional Tower houses 18 physician offices and VBMCB's Surgical Intensive Care Unit was the first of its kind in Brownsville with a second Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Cardiac Outpatient Area and a new 24- hour-stay unit. www.valleybaptist.net

Valley Regional Medical Center is a 190-bed acute care hospital located in the rapidly developing north side of Brownsville. Valley Regional has been serving Brownsville, South Padre Island and communities north of Brownsville including Harlingen since 1975. A designated Trauma Center, the hospital also offers many sophisticated services such as Emergency Care, the Chest Pain Center, Neonatal Intensive Care, Neurosurgery, Cardiac Surgery and Orthopedic Surgery. Additionally, General Medicine, Woman's Care Services, General Surgery and Outpatient Surgery provide a stable base of services. Valley Regional recently completed the installation of the most current CT technology, which allows its doctors to study body systems with the greatest detail. During 2004, the hospital underwent an expansion which added a second Intensive Care Unit and sixteen medical and surgical beds. www.valleyregionalmedicalcenter.com

Harlingen Medical Center is redefining the way healthcare is delivered throughout the Rio Grande Valley. HMC is a general acute care hospital led by physicians specializing in cardiovascular care, orthopedics, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology. They provide quality healthcare and patients receive the benefit of advanced technology, while receiving care that is focused on their individual needs. HMC services include a 24-hour emergency center designed and equipped to handle emergency situations, family members are allowed 24 hour access to the patient and a sleeper bed for an overnight visitor is provided in all rooms, and all private rooms are designed and equipped for every stage of treatment. HMC also cares about the special needs of women, from childbearing years through menopause. HMC is committed to providing excellent in healthcare for women and their compassionate and skilled staff combined with the most advanced medical technology creates a wide range of care options. The Women's Center services include 6 homelike labor and delivery rooms, 2 OB-GYN operating suites, nursery close by and staffed to provide tender loving care for the new baby and the nurse to patient ratio is such to provide close, personal nursing care. The Pediatric Care Unit is designed to care for the young patient from infant to teenager. All rooms in the Pediatric Unit are private rooms, there is a treasure chest of toys, magazine and amusements of young patients, and guest trays for parents. Educational and outreach programs are also provided to improve the health of the community. www.harlingenmedicalcenter.com

Valley Baptist Medical Center, in Harlingen, is a leader in South Texas when it comes to excellence in health care, medical advancements, and high-tech equipment. In quality ratings, Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen has received the top 5-star rating in three different service lines - putting Valley Baptist among only two percent of the hospitals in the United States which have been achieved that honor, according to the HealthGrades "Hospital Report Card."

HealthGrades, an independent healthcare information company based in Colorado, analyzes nearly every hospital in the United States and publishes ratings using a 5- star system. Valley Baptist received the highest 5-star rating in orthopedic and joint replacement procedures; back and neck surgery; treatment of stroke; and carotid endarterectomy (surgery to repair an artery which has been clogged by fat or plaque). Valley Baptist is ranked among the top 10 percent of hospitals in the nation in vascular surgery. In addition, Valley Baptist is rated as the best hospital in Texas for orthopedic services and ranks in the top five percent in the nation in joint replacement surgeries.

Valley Baptist Medical Center is one of the largest medical centers in South Texas with approximately 600 beds. Valley Baptist has been serving the Harlingen area and the Rio Grande Valley community since 1925. Valley Baptist and its physicians have pioneered many types of heart procedures in the Valley. The Valley's first open heart surgery and first cardiac catheterization were performed at Valley Baptist in 1977. Since then, Valley Baptist and its Heart & Vascular Institute have continued to bring advancements in diagnosis and treatment to the region, as well as a comprehensive program for the early detection and treatment of heart disease.

Valley Baptist has also been the home of many milestones in other types of medical treatments, including trauma care. Valley Baptist was the first Lead Level III Trauma Center designated in South Texas. At Valley Baptist, trauma patients are treated in a large, 32-bed, state-of-the-art Emergency Department. A rooftop heliport speeds up the transport of trauma patients into the award-winning Emergency Room. In emergency situations, every second counts, and it becomes critical for patients to be brought to the nearest trauma center as soon as possible.

Valley Baptist is also the Valley's leader in women and children's health care. In 2003, Valley Baptist opened the Valley's first Children's Center, a colorful, attractive 62-bed facility which offers specialized medical care for children and infants. Valley Baptist also has 32 rooms for new mothers and newborn babies in the Valley Baptist Mother / Baby Maternity Unit, as well as a 38-bed Newborn Intensive Care Unit. Valley Baptist's spacious, attractive East Tower includes a 14-room labor, delivery and recovery area; a 32-bed gynecology unit; a 30-bed Day Surgery Center and a wide variety of outpatient services.

Valley Baptist has the largest staff of doctors in the area, with over 300 physicians serving on the Valley Baptist Medical and Dental Staff. These excellent physicians are supported by more than 2,400 employees, making Valley Baptist one of the largest employers in the Cameron County area.

As one of the few remaining not-for-profit hospitals in the Valley, Valley Baptist is dedicated to continually upgrading and improving services for its patients and the community. Valley Baptist is also committed to medical education and research. Valley Baptist was chosen as the teaching hospital for the Valley's first medical school, the Regional Academic Health Science Center of the Rio Grande Valley. The medical school is located across the street from the Valley Baptist hospital campus, which lies between Ed Carey Drive and Treasure Hills Boulevard, just east of Business Highway 77 Sunshine Strip in Harlingen. www.valleybaptist.net

South Padre Island is also serviced by Valley Air Care of Harlingen. Valley Air Care was established in 1995 and dramatically changed mobile health care for the area. Traveling at 150 miles per hour, excellent medical care is just moments away for all residents and visitors to the area.

Area Businesses

• Designated in 2008 as a Top Beach by Men's Fitness magazine.
  
  
• Ranked No. 2 Spring Break destination for 2008 by the Travel Channel.
  
  
• Ranked No. 3 destination for 2006 Texas non-residents travel and No. 5 for destination traveled to by overall Texas visitors.
  
  
• Designated in 2007 as holding one of the Top 10 Sand-Castle Contests in the United States by Coastal Living magazine.
  
  
• Designated in 2007 as one of the World's Top 30 Island Beaches by Conde Nast Traveler magazine.
  
  
• Designated in 2007 as a top destination in the 100 Hot-City Guide on Cosmopolitan.com.
  
  
• The boardwalk of the South Padre Island's Laguna Madre Nature Trail was listed in the state's top 10 list by Texas Parks & Wildlife, The Outdoor Magazine of Texas.
  
  
• Designated in 2006 by National Geographic Adventure magazine as one of the top 10 destinations for Trips with a Splash. Kiteboarding was recognized.
  
  
• Designated in 2006 by AOL's SmartMoney.com as one of the top five destinations for purchasing a vacation home.
  
  
• Designated in 2006 by MSN.com's CitySearch editors as one of the nation's top 10 beaches.
  
  
• Designated in 2006 by TRIPSO.com, a travel news Web site, as one of the nation's Top 10 Hot Spots for Spring Break.
  
  
• Designated in 2006 by the Travel Channel as one of America¡¦s Best Beaches for Families.
  
  
• South Padre Island's Bikefest named in the Top 10 Best in Texas Events for 2006 list by Ride Texas Travel Magazine.
  
  
• Designated in 2005 by EscapeHomes.com as the No. 2 location to purchase an affordable vacation home.
  
  
• Designated in 2005 by MSN.com's CitySearch editors as one of the nation's top 10 beaches.
  
  
• Designated in 2005 as No. 1 on the Top 10 Beaches for Vacationers by a travel industry authority, TravelExperts.
  
  
• Received in 2005 a Top Restored Beach Award by the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association.
  
  
• Named in 2000 and 2001 by the Travel Channel as America's third-best beach.