The City of Edinburg is now accepting applications for its third round of funding for SPARC 3.0. The Stimulus Program Aimed at Recovery from COVID19 assists locally-owned businesses with economic recovery. In 2020, more than 500 locally-owned businesses joined the SPARC network and received grants in the SPARC 1.0 and SPARC 2.0 rounds. Home-based businesses are eligible if they pay sales tax to the State of Texas or pay property…
Following the continued economic recovery in Texas and the announcement of Texas opting out of certain Federal Pandemic Unemployment benefits, the Texas Workforce Commission is ending job refusal guidance associated with the COVID-19 emergency orders. The guidance for individuals at high risk from COVID-19 were put in place a year ago. The decline in COVID cases in Texas, widespread availability of vaccines, and greater availability of services such as child…
Several of the most dangerous words known to man are: “Let’s continue because we’ve always done it that way.” Many times, the wheel needs to be broken. A paradigm shift is necessary. Choosing an alternate route from point A to point B is the only way. We must never let uncertainty, even fear of failure, prevent us from exploring different options which may lead to greater production with fewer expenses…
The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce invites the community to an interactive orientation on how to get the most value of a chamber membership. The event takes place in a choice of two sessions April 29 at the chamber office. The sessions are at 8:30-10 a.m. and noon to 1:30 p.m. at 602 W. University Drive. The orientation will provide new members and prospective members a brief introduction on the Edinburg…
In his days as a business school professor in Brownsville, John Martin had a key piece of advice for his students. “If you want to be a high salaried employee, leave the Valley, but if you want to be an entrepreneur, stay here,” Martin said. Martin is a member of the Rio Grande Valley Angel Network. The investor group provides seed money for aspiring entrepreneurs in return for equity in their…
Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to Texas businesses and residents as a result of President Biden’s major disaster declaration. The declaration covers 77 Texas counties as a result of the severe winter storms that began on Feb. 11. Lower Rio Grande Valley District counties included in declaration are Aransas, Cameron, Hidalgo, Nueces and San Patricio. “SBA is strongly committed to providing Texas with the most effective and customer-focused…
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting applications for its Innovation Grant Awards. The awards’ grant funding of $50,000 annually encourages product innovation and business creation in the McAllen area. Past winners have been able to take their idea from the drawing board to the marketplace due to the grants. An applicant may request up to $10,000 to establish, expand, develop or advance a new product/service idea. The new…
The expression “love what you do, and do what you love” is a powerful lesson. What is really satisfying is the enjoyment of our careers. Personal reward should be equivalent to earning a living. Does our job truly make us happy? It is truly important that teachers and counselors advise students to pursue an education toward a career best suited to their liking. By junior high, students are thinking of…
Annually, the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation sponsors two Kauffman FastTrac courses. The next session begins Feb. 2 via Zoom for this accelerated business course, led by the UTRGV Entrepreneurship & Commercialization Center. The Harlingen EDC’s sponsorship gives up to 10 Harlingen-based entrepreneurs the opportunity to take this exclusive course at no cost. The course is at a value of more than $700 per participant. Course offerings are typically in the spring…
Courtesy of SBA: For small businesses across America, 2020 has been one of the most challenging years in history. Small business owners have been resilient, pivoting, and adapting their business models to navigate continually changing conditions. There are potential new opportunities to take advantage of and ways to adapt to challenges you may face. Here are business trends that are likely to dominate in 2021, along with tips to position…