Category Archives: Community

Texas Southmost College was awarded reaffirmation of accreditation by its regional accrediting agency earlier this month. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges reaffirmation accredits TSC through 2030. “Accreditation from SACSCOC is the most important designation TSC can achieve for our community,” said TSC President Jesús Roberto Rodríguez. “Not only does it attest to the high quality of programs and services we offer, regional accreditation is required…

SBA Honors Local Small Businesses

September 22, 2020

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Community Featured Comments

Today, SBA’s Lower Rio Grande Valley District honored the 2020 District Small Business Week awardees for six small business categories. The virtual ceremony is part of National Small Business Week going on now through Sept. 24. Michelle and Danny Quiroz of Reserva Coffee Roasters were named the district’s Small Business Persons of the Year. Both previously had successful careers working for large companies. However, Michelle’s passion for coffee drove their…

STC Tops Texas in Latino Enrollment, Graduation

September 17, 2020

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Education Featured News Comments

South Texas College is in the Top 3 nationwide and also in the top spot in Texas for enrolling and graduating Latinos according to Excelencia in Education. Washington D.C.-based Excelencia is a nonprofit organization that seeks to improve education outcomes for Latino college students. Their findings come as part of a Latino college completion study Aug. 12. STC enrolled 31,949 students in fall 2018, 95 percent of which were Hispanic…

Knapp Foundation Gives Boost to Food Bank RGV

September 17, 2020

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Community Giving Back News Comments

The Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley now has $14,952 more to provide food assistance to families in the Rio Grande Valley, thanks to a grant from the Knapp Community Care Foundation. The need for Food Bank RGV’s services has seen an increase with health and financial issues coming with both COVID-19 and Hurricane Hanna. With the funds, more than 75,000 meals will be available to underserved populations, according…

Food Bank RGV Hosts First Sunset Distribution

September 15, 2020

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Community News Comments

The Food Bank RGV is holding its inaugural Sunset Drive-Thru Emergency Pantry Sept. 16. From 4-7 p.m., or until they reach capacity, Food Bank RGV will distribute food to clients who are normally unable to attend during the regular DTEP hours due to work or school schedules. This one-day only Sunset DTEP distribution replaces the Food Bank RGV’s regularly scheduled Wednesday, 7-10 a.m. DTEP this week only. This distribution is…

HELP FOR Small Business Deadline Sept. 30

September 14, 2020

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Business Advice Community Featured News Comments

The HELP for Small Business initiative continues to take applications until Sept. 30. The program began in late spring with the City of Harlingen and the Harlingen EDC recognizing the need for help as the COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on the business community. That prompted the Harlingen EDC board of directors to set aside $1,000,000 to fund HELP for Small Business. The program had successfully assisted many small businesses.…

Catholic Diocese Conducts Census Sundays

September 10, 2020

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Community Events e-Brief Features News Comments

The Catholic Diocese of Brownsville is launching Census Sundays in an effort to bolster census participation in areas that are still undercounted. In addition to announcements to parishioners, certain area churches will host drive-through events every weekend through Sept. 27. “A vital part of the mission of the Church is to care for the people of God – all people – Catholic or not,” states a release from the Diocese.…

Weslaco’s Love Local Rewards Shoppers

September 3, 2020

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Community e-Brief Features Events News Retail Comments

The Weslaco Chamber of Commerce has kicked off its Love Local campaign through Nov. 27. The weekly drawing will reward those supporting Weslaco businesses by making purchases of at least $20. In order to be eligible for drawings, customers must send the chamber a photo of their receipt(s) through Facebook messenger. The more people shop, the more entries they receive. Customers may also receive extra entries by uploading a picture…

SBA Opens Virtual Recovery Centers For Hurricane Hanna

September 3, 2020

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Business Advice Community e-Brief Features Featured Comments

Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Texas businesses and residents affected by Hurricane Hanna July 25-28. The U.S. Small Business Administration declared a disaster and is making assistance available in Brooks, Cameron, Hidalgo, Kenedy, Starr and Willacy counties. This is in response to a request SBA received from Gov. Greg Abbott on Aug. 28. “Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations,…

Using Art To Boost SPI Economy

September 1, 2020

Ricardo D. Cavazos, VBR content editor

Arts Featured News Comments

The usual formula to fuel economic development focuses on manufacturing, transportation and distribution. At South Padre Island, the path to boosting the economy has branched out to also include art and how creative endeavors can lead to growth. The Art Business Incubator South Padre Island seeks to give both new and existing art businesses support to establish a presence in the local economy. Its program director Alexa Ocean Ray is…

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