San Benito’s early years reflected the mark the city was trying to make in a new frontier called the Rio Grande Valley. It was an agrarian community like all others in the early 1900s, as towns in the region began to emerge along the newly laid tracks of the St Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway.… https://buff.ly/2vZTgIS

The deadline for the 2019 McAllen Business Plan Competition is fast approaching. Applicants have until May 24 at 4:30 p.m. to submit their business plan to possibly receive $7,500 from the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and the McAllen Economic Development Corporation. The McAllen Business Plan Competition is an initiative to foster new business development in McAllen. The… https://buff.ly/2LPRmoU

The Happiness Factor – Mind, Body, Soul The McAllen Chamber of Commerce's All About Women presents the "The Happiness Factor - Mind, Body, Soul" seminar. This seminar will help participants understand: How much your perceived reality affects your performanc What it truly means to be in control of your future How to engage in Learned Optimism The importance of self-awareness for building… https://buff.ly/2LJuZ4t

The RGV Mental Health Fair takes place May 18 for the entire Valley community, showcasing mental-health providers, advocates and organizations. During the event, presenters and organizations come together to raise awareness and to break the silence about mental illness. The RGV Mental Health Fair aims to be an example of how a community can speak up… https://buff.ly/2HjcHmA

The RGV Mental Health Fair takes place May 18 for the entire Valley community, showcasing mental-health providers, advocates and organizations. During the event, presenters and organizations come together to raise awareness and to break the silence about mental illness. The RGV Mental Health Fair aims to be an example of how a community can speak up… https://buff.ly/2HjcHmA

Big Padre Arrives in SPI:⠀ The arrival matched the hype! Big Padre's arrival to the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center, and now also the Alligator Sanctuary, was an event for the ages on May 11. Gator Country set out on a mission from its Beaumont, Texas, park and sanctuary with 50 juvenile alligators. Among them was Big Padre… https://buff.ly/2LIcIVm

Keppel AmFELS reached a pair of construction milestones April 30 in the building of two containership vessels for Pasha Hawaii. Executives from both companies were joined by Brownsville Navigation District Chairman John Reed and other federal, state and local dignitaries for the ceremonial keel laying for M/V George III and the cutting of the first steel plates… https://buff.ly/2VXeQwp

Tax-related identity theft is prominent on the IRS’s 2019 Dirty Dozen list of Tax Scams. Tax-related identity theft is not just stealing personal information of individuals. Because of successful efforts to crack down on such identity theft, thieves have shifted their focus to businesses. They create and use, or attempt to use, the identifying information of… https://buff.ly/2Hem6KE

Are you looking to increase productivity in your small business? Some entrepreneurs and professionals find it helpful to have access to multiple computer monitors. This type of setup can potentially improve collaboration, productivity and even location flexibility. But there are also some potential drawbacks, from money and space constraints to the potential for distractions. If… https://buff.ly/2JqGz1J

The Brownsville Navigation District and NextDecade Corporation have come to an agreement set to deepen of the ship channel. The project will then transform the Valley business landscape. The Brazos Island Harbor Channel Improvement Project Funding Agreement commits NextDecade to privately fund key improvements to the Brownsville Ship Channel. The company will pay 100 percent… https://buff.ly/2vRAVO4

Going from one classroom to another, Janie Garza Reyes gives a tour of a barber school that started with a handful of chairs 30 years ago, and is now the largest school of its type in the Rio Grande Valley – and one of the largest in Texas. “We opened this school from zero,” Reyes… https://buff.ly/2Ye0zZy

Are you looking to increase productivity in your small business? Some entrepreneurs and professionals find it helpful to have access to multiple computer monitors. This type of setup can potentially improve collaboration, productivity and even location flexibility. But there are also some potential drawbacks, from money and space constraints to the potential for distractions. If… https://buff.ly/2JqGz1J

RGV’s Small Business Awards Ceremony & Luncheon:⠀ The RGV’s Small Business Awards Ceremony and Luncheon was a grand celebration of some of the best businesses in the area May 7. Since 1963, National Small Business Week has recognized the outstanding achievements of America’s small businesses. Businesses gain acknowledgement for their contributions to their local communities and to the nation’s economy. This year’s… https://buff.ly/2vQPtgN

The U.S. Small Business Administration hosts its Boots to Business Reboot May 10 in celebration of Military Appreciation Month. From 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., veterans may receive an overview of entrepreneurship and applicable business ownership fundamentals. Active Duty service members, as well as spouses, may also participate. The two-step training program provides participants an… https://buff.ly/2PQIduE

An understanding of business credit terms is important for small business owners. Similar to personal credit, business credit determines whether your company can be trusted by the way it manages money. Like personal credit, business credit is a reflection of how well your company manages money. Why is business credit important? The Nav American Dream Gap… https://buff.ly/2DUYcTL

Payroll Compliance The “Payroll Compliance” session covers the steps owners need to take when hiring employees. Attendees will also learn about the specific government agencies to contact over payroll. Cristina Cantu, a senior business and HR advisor with the UTRGV Small Business Development Center, will present the workshop. “Before hiring personnel, business owners need to be aware… https://buff.ly/2VRotfK