LA VERNIA, Texas – The La Vernia you see today is not the same one you remember from years ago.

Since the pandemic, the small town in Wilson County has exploded. The government of La Vernia reported that the city saw a 31% increase in the number of households between 2010 and 2022.

People flock there because it offers small-town coziness and, according to some under-40s, an easier path to starting a small business. That’s why KSAT 12 News chose La Vernia as the subject of the latest episode of “Your Voice, South Texas.”

We met with people at La Vernia Beauty Lounge, a small business cooperative on Woodbridge Drive. All the people we spoke to work independently or run their own business/work in a small company.

They talked to KSAT 12 News about what motivates them to vote in November.

“You definitely feel safe here. I feel safe… the education system here in Texas… is so much better than what I could offer (my) children in California,” Ariel Guzman said.

Guzman (32) recently opened Luna & Sol Coffee, a shop she runs in the La Vernia beauty salon.

“Millennials (are) a little scared… about all the debt. I feel like we were kind of on the bus struggling with our parents,” Guzman said.

According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, millennials have more student debt, lower rates of homeownership and lower net worth than previous generations.

Guzman hopes whoever next rules the White House will have a positive impact on the economy.

“I hope someone can… help give (our children) a chance at… an easier future compared to… what we’ve been through,” Guzman added.

Ashley Payton, 35, runs a hairdressing business and is also worried about inflation. She said rising prices have forced her to adjust service fees to stay in business.

“Sometimes you have to think, ‘OK, do I need to get groceries or do I want to do it there?’ And then you see that in a few months these companies will be closed. It’s like, pray, believe and help,” Payton said.

Dylan Forde, 23, a real estate broker from La Vernia, said he’s watching interest rates closely. Following the Federal Reserve’s announcement of an interest rate cut, the federal funds rate was lowered to a range of 4.75-5%.

“No matter who is in office… whether it’s Trump or Kamala… I’m not going to use the government as an excuse (for not making progress). Politics has a direct impact on real estate. However… I still intend to do my best to help as many people as I can,” Forde said.

The goal of “Your Voice, South Texas” is to elevate the diversity of voices and drown out some of the hyperbias that keeps us from fighting back on social media. So far, KSAT has recorded episodes in Uvalde, Seguin, Pleasanton, Kerrville and New Braunfels.

See more “Your Voice, South Texas” stories here.