A limited amount of spots are open for the upcoming Kauffman FastTrac starting in January in South Padre Island. The NewVenture program provides tools to both develop business concepts and successfully launch a business. To be held at the Port Isabel Events and Cultural Center as well as the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center, the seven sessions encompass facilitated instruction. Students in the program identify market needs, understand business…
South Texas Health System Heart (McAllen Heart Hospital) is one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery as well as America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Care according to a national study by Healthgrades. Every year, Healthgrades evaluates hospital performance at almost 4,500 hospitals nationwide for 32 of the most common inpatient procedures and conditions. The accolades comes from Healthgrades 2019 Report to the Nation. The report demonstrates how clinical performance…
The Texas Workforce Commission recently launched “Jobs Y’all: Your Career. Your Story.” The statewide career exploration campaign and website is made to inspire young Texans to discover and explore the state’s in-demand industries. At the same time, they will also learn about essential skills to enter the workforce. The Jobs Y’all campaign originated as a need to create greater awareness of the link between jobs and education. “We listened to employers who…
Rio Grande Valley College in Pharr is now offering a new Associate Degree in Nursing LVN to RN Bridge Program. Pharr Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez and RGV College CEO Annabelle Palomo joined together in the public announcement, confirming the approval from the Texas Board of Nursing. “Congratulations to RGV College, we are excited about this announcement that will offer students more opportunities to seek healthcare careers here in the Rio Grande…
This week is the U.S. Small Business Administration’s National Veterans Small Business Week, highlighting the different facets of the veteran business community. Locally, the Lower Rio Grande Valley office of SBA is in the middle of the celebration, offering events, many of which take place in the next days. This year’s theme, “Our #VetBiz Community,” showcases the various facets of the veteran business community, ranging from the prospective or existing veteran…
Custom training for local small businesses is the focus of a Weslaco EDC grant. The $100,000 grant will fund South Texas College in providing training in retail, manufacturing and logistics through Sept. 30, 2019. A ceremonial check presentation took place Nov 1 for the partnership to increase both high skill and high wage jobs in the Mid-Valley region. “Workforce training is one of the biggest negotiators in today’s economic projects,”…
The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce‘s 2018 Man and Woman of the Year will receive honors Nov. 9 at the chamber’s annual Installation Banquet. This year’s honorees are Robert and Janet Vackar, owners of Bert Ogden Auto Group. Recognition of Jennifer Garza as incoming president of the chamber board accompanies the celebration of the Vackars. Garza is currently the vice president of operations for Superior Health Plan. Also receiving recognition are Agustin Lozano…
On Oct. 31, South Texas College, the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and McAllen Independent School District’s Youth Apprenticeship Program held a ceremonial signing of registered apprenticeship agreements and work contracts for high school juniors and seniors. “This program is really where the future is headed in developing talent in our community,” said Steve Alenius, president/CEO of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce. “I’m really excited about the commitment our business community has…
The Port of Brownsville is the recipient of a $1.5 million Rider 45 grant from the Texas Department of Transportation. The grant will enhance the port’s intermodal connectivity, further facilitating domestic and international trade in the Rio Grande Valley. The funds will aid in constructing the South Port Connector Project. The port connector road will span two miles and connect Ostos Road at the port with Highway 4. The Port of…
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce hosts its GoodPitch Competition Dec. 6, nurturing public speaking skills in the entrepreneurial and business community in McAllen. According to the chamber, the competition is “a great occasion to polish and/or prepare a speech to a potential business opportunity.” During the competition, participants give “elevator pitches,” simulating the real-world process of promoting, selling or soliciting buy-into an idea, product, service or request. The best elevator speech…