Author Archives: VBR

Port of Brownsville Breaks Ground On 118-Acre Business Park

e-Brief Features Manufacturing/Industrial News Comments
Brownsville Navigation District officials break ground June 22, 2023 on the site of the port's future 118-acre business park. Pictured are Commissioner Sergio Tito Lopez, Commissioner John Reed, Chairman Esteban Guerra and Secretary John Wood with Port Director and CEO Eduardo A. Campirano.

The Port of Brownsville, held a groundbreaking ceremony on June 22 for its latest economic development project, a 118-acre shovel-ready business park. This new industrial project leverages the port’s logistical advantages to support manufacturing companies and industry clusters with a base of operations that combines access to efficient multimodal transportation and robust storage capabilities. This development will provide a dynamic ecosystem for companies to collaborate, innovate and flourish. “The business…

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Leadership Edinburg Raises $38,000 For Community Project

Community Featured News Comments

After nine months of hard work, the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce celebrated the Leadership Edinburg Class XXXIV graduation in early June 2023 at Castle Hill Bistro. Leadership Edinburg Class XXXIV completed several classes including a leadership retreat and sessions that focused on education, healthcare, history, media, economics, government, quality of life and community service. Each Leadership Edinburg Class selects a project that they work on together and complete within one…

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Texas Civilian Labor Force Reaches Record 15 Million People

Featured News Comments
employment

For the first time in history, the Texas seasonally adjusted civilian labor force crossed the 15 million threshold, adding 49,000 people over the month to reach 15,009,300 in May. Though the unemployment rate increased slightly to 4.1 percent, the number of employed also reached a new record high at nearly 14.4 million. Texas total nonfarm employment increased by 51,000 positions over the month — adding more jobs than any other…

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STC Puts Out A Call for Art About Economics & Money

Arts e-Brief Features News Comments

The South Texas College Library Art Gallery is hosting a call for artists to submit artwork on the theme of economics and money. For inspiration, the gallery looks to Oxford-trained economist E. F. Schumacher’s book “Small is Beautiful: Economics as if People Mattered,” which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. This New York Times bestseller teaches that economic growth must be responsibly balanced with the needs of communities and the environment.…

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South Texas Chess Federation Selects McAllen For Championship

e-Brief Features Featured News Recreation & Tourism Comments
chess

The McAllen Chamber of Commerce recently announced the South Texas Chess Federation has selected McAllen as its host city for the 2024 Pan American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship. Organizers expect the January 2024 tournament to draw more than 400 visitors to the McAllen Convention Center, potentially generating an economic impact of over $315,000. Throughout the year, the McAllen Chamber’s Tourism Department ‘Convention & Visitors Bureau’ diligently facilitates conferences that attract…

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StartUp Texas Announces Demo Day, Seed Funding

Community e-Brief Features News Comments
StartUp Texas

StartUp Texas, a seed fund and accelerator program under the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation, will hold Demo Day 2023 on Aug. 10. The capstone event showcases the innovative steps made by seven startups in its Quality of Life Ventures cohort competing to win anywhere from $40,000, $20,000, or $10,000 in seed funding. BCIC partners with visionary entrepreneurs and passionate leaders through the program, helping them bring groundbreaking products or services…

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McAllen Airport Receive $6.2 Million In FAA Funds

News Comments
McAllen International Airport

McAllen International Airport is the recipient of $6.2 million from the Federal Aviation Administration. The funds from the Airport Improvement Program grant will address drainage, erosion control, pavement management study and airfield safety design. “The federal funding awarded to our airport will help start and complete capital improvement projects aimed at passenger safety. We are grateful for the support of our legislative representatives and their teams for their vested commitment…

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TCMA Recognizes McAllen City Administrators

Featured Government News Comments
McAllen City Manager Roel “Roy” Rodriguez and Assistant City Manager Joe Vera. (Courtesy)

The Texas City Managers Association recently recognized two City of McAllen administrators, City Manager Roel “Roy” Rodriguez and Assistant City Manager Joe Vera, as recipients of two 2023 TCMA Professional Awards at the TCMA Annual Conference Awards Luncheon in Allen, Texas. Rodriguez is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes city management professionals who have made significant contributions to the field of local government management for more than…

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UTRGV School of Medicine Receives Final Accreditation

Education Featured Healthcare News Comments
UTRGV School of Medicine Commencement 2023 (UTRGV archival photo)

The UTRGV School of Medicine recently completed the final stage of accreditation required by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. UTRGV President Guy Bailey said this significant milestone, while expected, is also important for the Rio Grande Valley. Moving forward, the school can now increase the number of students it is able to admit each year. Being able to develop and train more future doctors will also allow the School of…

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McAllen Office of Communications Wins Statewide Awards

e-Brief Features Government News Comments

The Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers announced the 2023 winners of its state-wide TAMI Awards Competition during a ceremony at the annual conference recently in Arlington. The City of McAllen Office of Communications earned a total of four awards for its video production work and photography series. This year, 547 entries from 70 different municipalities submitted entries for the competition. “Being recognized by a state organization for the great…

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