Brownsville residents heard from the candidates vying for their vote for mayor during a first of its kind forum.

The four candidates talked about the importance of small business growth during Thursday’s forum.

Jessica Tetreau says her priority is to ensure that money starts flowing into the community

“People are paying rent, people are paying property taxes, people are paying banknotes trying to open these businesses,” Tetreau said. “The city needs to work to get businesses open immediately. It increases our tax space, it increases our sales tax, and it increases our employment opportunities."

Erasmo Castro says the city needs to focus on transparency, and that projects that matter aren’t being funded.

“We need to put the money back into the city of Brownsville, fix our infrastructure, uplift our zoo, fix our airport, fix the real problems that keep Brownsville stagnant," Castro said.

Jennifer Stanton says her focus would be to make sure small businesses are given as much attention as the big ones.

“That's my main focus is it to try to balance the budget, trying to make everybody accountable for what they're doing in the city of Brownsville and hold each other accountable as business members,” Stanton said. “Work as a team and make things happen for Brownsville.”

John Cowen pointed to the city's poverty rate and said he would push for economic development. 

“For good health care, for trails and parks for encouraging the growth of affordable eating options for our community,” Cowen said. “I think at the heart of this it is an economic issue. We have a lot of families that both the mother and father have to work."

Election Day is Saturday, May 6.

A city spokesperson said the city is not planning a debate among the candidates.