Richard M Shelton @RICHARDMSHELTON - Twitter Profile

5 months ago

Corpus Christi Water Crisis is today’s Top Priority, but we have immediate challenges in tandem with the water crisis. Let me share my other concerns as a longterm resident who’s dug deep into the data to understand what’s holding our city back. Friends and neighbors, I’ve been analyzing the economic trends here in Corpus Christi over the last decade, and the numbers paint a clear picture: our job growth has been stuck at just 0.3% annually since 2012, way below Texas’s 1.9% and the national average. Unemployment dipped to a low of 4.3% pre-pandemic but spiked to 9.2% in 2020, and even now it’s hovering around 4.5%—higher than the U.S. at 4.2%. Meanwhile, median household incomes have barely budged, sitting at about $67,000 with no real growth after inflation, compared to the national $83,000+. Income inequality is sharper here too, with a Gini coefficient of 0.46 versus the U.S. 0.42, meaning the gap between our top earners (averaging $216,000 in the highest 20%) and the bottom ($14,000) is widening, especially impacting our Hispanic families who make up 62% of us. High-paying jobs⁉️ We’ve seen some gains in healthcare—like surgeons earning over $300,000 and nurse practitioners at $120,000+—with the sector projected to grow 18% statewide by 2032. But energy and oil roles, once our backbone, have declined 26-30% in key areas due to price swings and automation, leaving fewer opportunities overall despite modest recoveries. This isn’t just stats—it’s our reality, from stagnant wages fueling poverty at 17% (vs. national 11%) to brain drain as young folks leave for better prospects. But here’s what I believe we must do right now to turn this around: First, secure our water with urgent investments in desalination and recycling, partnering with state funds to protect 12,000 jobs at risk without crippling residents’ bills. Second, diversify our economy beyond oil—push for clean energy hubs like hydrogen and carbon capture at the Port, attracting tech and manufacturing to create stable, high-wage roles. Third, ramp up workforce training at places like Del Mar College and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, focusing on apprenticeships in trades and renewables to upskill our people and close those inequality gaps. And fourth, boost quality of life with affordable housing, better parks, and safety initiatives to keep families here and draw new talent. I’ve got a vision for long-term growth: equitable policies that enforce fair wages, subsidize training for low-income workers, and use federal grants to build resilient infrastructure. It’s time to act NOW—our city has the potential to outpace the nation if we prioritize these fixes. What do you think, Corpus Christi? Let’s discuss in the comments. Together, we can build a thriving future. Results Matter My Name is Richard Shelton Great To Meet You! At this time, I’m not running for any office. I am however, bringing highlights to you That I See, as a concerned business owner and investor in Corpus Christi and all over Texas. #CorpusChristiStrong #EconomicGrowth

RICHARDMSHELTON's tweet photo. Corpus Christi Water Crisis is today’s Top Priority, but we have immediate challenges in tandem with the water crisis.

Let me share my other concerns as a longterm resident who’s dug deep into the data to understand what’s holding our city back.

Friends and neighbors, I’ve been analyzing the economic trends here in Corpus Christi over the last decade, and the numbers paint a clear picture: our job growth has been stuck at just 0.3% annually since 2012, way below Texas’s 1.9% and the national average.

Unemployment dipped to a low of 4.3% pre-pandemic but spiked to 9.2% in 2020, and even now it’s hovering around 4.5%—higher than the U.S. at 4.2%. Meanwhile, median household incomes have barely budged, sitting at about $67,000 with no real growth after inflation, compared to the national $83,000+.

Income inequality is sharper here too, with a Gini coefficient of 0.46 versus the U.S. 0.42, meaning the gap between our top earners (averaging $216,000 in the highest 20%) and the bottom ($14,000) is widening, especially impacting our Hispanic families who make up 62% of us.

High-paying jobs⁉️
We’ve seen some gains in healthcare—like surgeons earning over $300,000 and nurse practitioners at $120,000+—with the sector projected to grow 18% statewide by 2032.
But energy and oil roles, once our backbone, have declined 26-30% in key areas due to price swings and automation, leaving fewer opportunities overall despite modest recoveries.

This isn’t just stats—it’s our reality, from stagnant wages fueling poverty at 17% (vs. national 11%) to brain drain as young folks leave for better prospects.

But here’s what I believe we must do right now to turn this around:
First, secure our water with urgent investments in desalination and recycling, partnering with state funds to protect 12,000 jobs at risk without crippling residents’ bills.

Second, diversify our economy beyond oil—push for clean energy hubs like hydrogen and carbon capture at the Port, attracting tech and manufacturing to create stable, high-wage roles.

Third, ramp up workforce training at places like Del Mar College and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, focusing on apprenticeships in trades and renewables to upskill our people and close those inequality gaps.

And fourth, boost quality of life with affordable housing, better parks, and safety initiatives to keep families here and draw new talent.

I’ve got a vision for long-term growth: equitable policies that enforce fair wages, subsidize training for low-income workers, and use federal grants to build resilient infrastructure.

It’s time to act NOW—our city has the potential to outpace the nation if we prioritize these fixes.

What do you think, Corpus Christi?

Let’s discuss in the comments.

Together, we can build a thriving future.
Results Matter

My Name is
Richard Shelton

Great To Meet You!

At this time, I’m not running for any office.
I am however, bringing highlights to you That I See, as a concerned business owner and investor in Corpus Christi and all over Texas.

#CorpusChristiStrong #EconomicGrowth

0

38

Richard M Shelton

@RICHARDMSHELTON

Last Seen Users on Sotwe

Trends for you

Most Popular Users