Author Archives: VBR

Fiesta Edinburg Returns Feb. 29

Fiesta Edinburg

The 55th annual Fiesta Edinburg takes place Feb. 29 to March 3 at Bert Ogden Arena, celebrating the vibrant spirit of the City of Edinburg. Put on by the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce, the event features live entertainment, food, diverse vendors and the Heart of America Carnival. The chamber is currently seeking sponsors, vendors and exhibitors for the family-oriented festival. Sponsor support will contribute to the success of Fiesta Edinburg…

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McAllen in Top 10 of Most Affordable Cities

McAllen 2040 Comprehensive Plan

For working adults looking to navigate rising costs and fight the stress of inflation, financial services company Empower set out to find the most affordable U.S. cities. To create its rankings, it analyzed 113 U.S. cities across multiple categories, including data on home prices, average income, cost of living and employment rates. It also asked 800 working adults about what they look for in a city and where they want…

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TWC App Connects Texans with Career Pathways

MyTXCareer

The Texas Workforce Commission has launched a new mobile app to help Texans explore potential career pathways and discover step-by-step resources to achieve their goals. With the launch of MyTXCareer app, job seekers can now find personalized occupation matches and recommended career paths based on their skills, interests and experience. “The continued growth of Texas’ record-breaking economy creates opportunities for Texans to advance their careers,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel.…

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Edinburg EDC Launches Facade & Lot Improvement Program

The Edinburg Economic Development Corporation has launched its Façade and Lot Improvement Program, an initiative aimed at providing financial assistance to local small businesses that have faced significant challenges in recent years. FLIP addresses the aftermath of the pandemic, high inflation, and severe weather storms that have adversely affected the local economy, causing damage to signs, awnings, facades, parking lots and more. The EEDC will support the community’s recovery by…

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Valley Symphony Orchestra Names New Executive Director 

Performing arts and entertainment industry veteran David Lobel is the new executive director of the Valley Symphony Orchestra. Lobel has been serving as the interim executive director of the VSO since August 2023 following the departure of Katy Coy, who relocated to Columbus, Ohio to become the CEO of the Jazz Arts Group.  “As he has proven during the transition, David is the perfect person to lead the VSO through…

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UTRGV Event Shape Future STEM Enthusiasts

(Photo Abraham Pérez, UTRGV)

UTRGV hosted its latest series of “Energy & U” shows Jan. 12 at the Edinburg Performance Arts Center. The award-winning event showcases the excitement of science and engineering to area K-12 students, focusing on the intersection of energy and STEM education. Karen Lozano, Julia Beecherl Endowed Professor in Mechanical Engineering and director of the UTRGV Nanotechnology Center of Excellence, serves as principal investigator on the grant support awarded by the National Science…

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Dietrich Assumes Interim Director at Port

William Dietrich

The Port of Brownsville begins 2024 with Port Chief of Police William Dietrich succeeding former Port Director and CEO Eduardo A. Campirano as interim port director. The Brownsville Navigation District Board of Commissioners began a national search for a new port director and CEO in August. Dietrich was named interim in December while the search continues. “Building upon record achievements, the Port of Brownsville is on the path for tremendous…

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Villita Avocados Makes U.S. Produce History

Villita Avocados Inc.

This week, avocado grower and distributor Villita Avocados Inc. in Pharr is making history in the produce industry, fulfilling orders utilizing specially made mesh produce bags that are 100 percent compostable.  “We will be the first avocado company to come out with a 100 percent compostable, 100 percent plastic-free avocado bag in North America,” said Rob Ybarra, executive vice president of Villita. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the United…

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City of Pharr Hires Sanchez as Chamber of President

C.J. Sanchez

The City of Pharr and the Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce recently announces that Carlos Javier “C.J.” Sanchez is the new GPCC president. “C.J. is a wonderful addition to our Pharr team! With his wealth of knowledge and experience in the business community, we know he will do an exceptional job working to promote our local Pharr businesses and community,” said City Manager Dr. Jonathan B. Flores. Hailing from Edinburg,…

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STC Introduces Cutting-Edge Resources in Solar Energy

Students begin to dismantle STC’s new solar panels they installed during the semester on a simulated roof structure built at the college’s Technology Campus. (photo STC)

South Texas College Electrician Technology students are the first in the Valley to use to utilize a newly completed composite-shingled roof structure to simulate real-world residential solar panel installations. Built last summer at STC’s Technology Campus, the simulated roof structure enables students to utilize a new solar grid system that provides the same experience as working on an actual solar roof installation at residential job sites. The structure and equipment…

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