On KWEL radio, Midland Mayor Lori Blong discussed the city’s growth, tax pressures, and downtown development, including the future Omni Hotel.

Why it matters: Blong offered insight on how Midland is navigating rapid growth, funding essential services, and pushing forward with long-awaited projects like the Omni Hotel—all while addressing residents’ everyday concerns.

The bottom line:

  • Midland is now the 7th fastest-growing metro in the U.S., with a median household income of $143,000. Despite economic strength, many families face rising grocery and rent costs. Additionally, growth is putting pressure on infrastructure, retail, restaurants, hospitals, and schools.

  • Current property tax revenue is $76.5 million, short of the $96 million needed to fund police and fire services alone. The city uses user fees, sales tax, and other revenue sources to fund the remainder of city services.

  • The city anticipates groundbreaking on the long-anticipated Omni Hotel project within months. A new hotel/motel tax rebate from the state, recently signed by Governor Abbott, will benefit the project and nearby businesses within a 1,000-foot radius.  The hotel will allow maximum use of the Bush Convention Center and has sparked broader redevelopment plans for Centennial Park and the surrounding for-sale buildings.

  • “This is a resource not just for people outside of our community, but it’s a resource for people within our community,” Blong said. “People from outside of our community are helping to pay for it because they’re the ones that are coming in and helping to spend those dollars.”