Finding Balance Between Preservation and Progress in Cameron County
For generations, small towns like ours have taken pride in being peaceful places where neighbors still wave, doors stay unlocked, and the pace of life feels steady and sure. That quiet charm is part of what makes Cameron County special. But lately, that same determination to keep things “just the way they are” may be doing more harm than good.
Like many small rural towns, Cameron County is experiencing a steady decline in population, and with an aging community, it’s becoming harder to keep up the pace that once came naturally. Fewer young families and working-age residents mean there are fewer people to fill jobs, volunteer, and support local programs. Our school system, once filled with the sounds of busy classrooms and packed bleachers, now faces the challenge of maintaining the same quality and variety of opportunities with fewer students. Some parents have turned to neighboring districts or cyber options to meet specific needs.
The economic picture has become just as challenging. Industries that once supported local families have closed their doors or moved on, and there are few large employers on the horizon to replace them. While small businesses continue to work hard to serve residents, the lack of well-paying jobs in town makes it difficult for young families to plant roots or for newcomers to see Cameron County as a place where they can build a life.
The recent closure of Rite Aid, our only local pharmacy, was another reminder of how fragile small-town infrastructure can be. Years ago, large corporations like Rite Aid moved into communities like ours and drew customers away from small, locally owned pharmacies that once served residents personally and reliably. When those big chains decide to close up shop with little warning or regard for the people left behind, the effects can be devastating.
For many residents, that store was an important resource living in a rural area. With its doors now closed, the nearest pharmacy is over a half-hour away, creating new challenges for older residents and anyone without reliable transportation.
Meanwhile, our population continues to age, and the number of working-age adults declines each year. Without new opportunities or investments, it becomes harder to attract younger residents — and harder still to sustain the services, programs, and energy that make a town thrive.
There’s no question that growth brings change, and change can feel uncomfortable. Many who love Cameron County fear that inviting development, whether through tourism, recreation, or new business, will destroy the small-town quiet that drew them here. But the hard truth is this: a town that refuses to adapt doesn’t stay the same. It declines.
Finding a middle ground is possible. Thoughtful growth can complement, not replace, what we value most. Expanding outdoor recreation opportunities, for example, can draw visitors who appreciate the same natural beauty we do, helping support local shops, restaurants, and lodging while keeping our identity rooted in the outdoors. Small steps toward renewal don’t mean losing who we are; they mean ensuring there’s still something left to preserve.
