Author Archives: VBR

TWC Grant at Work in Cameron

e-Brief Features Education News Comments

Thanks to Skills for Small Business grants from the Texas Workforce Commission, Workforce Development and Continuing Education at Texas State Technical College are working with local small businesses in Cameron County to help them have the trained personnel they need. The grants total $156,000 provide both professional training and development among small businesses. This will continue into 2019 training from TSTC which has helped more than a dozen small businesses since 2016.…

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McAllen Takes Top National Spot in Rising Salaries

Featured News Comments

McAllen is number one in the list of boomtowns cities of rising salaries, according to CNBC. The ranking comes from CNBC the top 10 cities in Magnify Money’s Top 10 of the biggest boomtowns in the United States. These cities identify where populations have been growing, as well as median wages rising. That methodology looked at three categories: population and housing; workforce and earnings; and business growth over a five-year period.…

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Local Colleges and ISDs Earn JET Grants

Education Featured News Comments

The Texas Workforce Commission has awarded 23 grants totaling $4,998,598 to public junior colleges, public technical institutes, public state colleges and independent school districts for programs that focus on supporting high-demand occupations through the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant program. Of note, eight of those grants went to local community colleges and school systems. “These grants will focus on advanced technical training, and will keep our Texas businesses…

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South Texas College Hosts President’s Advisory Retreat

Education Featured Government Comments

Representatives from the RGV law enforcement community recently met for South Texas College’s first President’s Advisory Council Retreat. Here, leaders provided regular input and recommendations for professional continuing education and degree programs. Law enforcement is coordinating with STC to develop an action plan as the STC Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence gets underway. Earlier this year, STC President Shirley A. Reed extended an invitation to leaders of the law enforcement…

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Grindstone Opens McAllen Location

e-Brief Features News Real Estate Comments

Grindstone Coworking will open its new McAllen office space this month at the intersection of 10th street and Trenton Road at Trenton View Plaza. The location is open to remote workers, freelancers and small business owners in the Rio Grande Valley. Grindstone is now accepting membership applications and pre-leasing for private office suites. It is also offering an Early Bird Special available exclusively to the first 20 members to sign up.…

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TSTC Cyber Defense a Center of Excellence

Education Featured Technology Comments
TSTC-Cyber Defense

Computer Networking and Security Technology at Texas State Technical College in Harlingen is celebrating a unique national distinction. The program is now a Center of Excellence for Cyber Defense for two-year education programs. The recognition comes from the Department of Homeland Security and National Security Agency. The National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense recognizes and grants designations to institutions that offer rigorous degree programs in information security. “Your…

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STC Receives Economic Development Grant

Education Featured News Comments

South Texas College and the Starr County Industrial Foundation are the recipients of a $100,000 federal planning grant from the Economic Development Administration. STC Director of Grant Development, Management and Compliance Virginia Champion says the grant will support the college and the SCIF’s interest in the development of a current Asset Map of Starr County. It will also facilitate a Strategic Planning Conference with key leaders and stakeholders. Vice-Chair of…

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IBC Promotes Peña

Moving On Up Comments
Karen R. Peña

Karen R. Peña is the new marketing manager for IBC Bank, a promotion from executive office administrative assistant. Peña will manage the marketing department, while also promoting IBC Bank throughout the community. She will coordinate all financial literacy events, which serve as a tool to educate both children and adult with financial lessons. In addition, Peña will be the liaison between IBC Bank and nonprofits in Cameron County. “Karen is…

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Small Businesses Score $50K from Mission EDC

e-Brief Features Featured Food & Entertainment News Retail Comments

The Mission Economic Development Corporation’s small business development program, Ruby Red Ventures, named three new winners of its small business funding competition. A local all-natural, cold-pressed juice producer, a maker of pre-packaged Mexican stews and meals, and manufacturer of gourmet grilling sauces are all recent winners of $50,000 in funding from Mission EDC. Mr. Pepe, El Cazos Guisos and B. Veggie took the top three spots, respectively, in the latest round of the…

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Southwest Airlines Adds More VIA Flights

e-Brief Features News Transportation & Travel Comments

Southwest Airlines is now offering an additional 17 non-stop flights between Valley International Airport and Dallas Love Field during high demand days for Thanksgiving and Christmas 2018. Additionally, effective March 10, 2019, Southwest Airlines will offer nonstop service between Harlingen and Dallas Love on Sundays.  Southwest currently offers non-stop flights from Harlingen to Austin and Houston Hobby airports as well. Flights to Dallas will depart at 1:45 p.m. on Sundays with…

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