Category Archives: Community

BCIC Accepting Applications For StartUp Texas

Community e-Brief Features Featured News Comments
BCIC CEO Cori Pena makes a check presentation to one winner at a recent StartUp Texas event. (Courtesy)

The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation is accepting applications for a new cohort for the StartUp Texas Emerging Industries Accelerator Program. The 12-week intensive program will start in August and is designed to equip innovative startups throughout the Rio Grande Valley with the necessary tools for growth. The program focuses on fostering forward-thinking solutions in various sectors such as technology, manufacturing, healthcare, aerospace and green energy. Since its inception in 2019,…

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Future Nurse Is Fulfilling Dreams with VIDA

Community e-Brief Features Featured News Non-Profit Comments
Marisol Munoz

The second oldest of five girls, Marisol Munoz has always felt, and embraced, the responsibility to serve as a role model to her younger sisters. When she graduated from the Academy of Health Science Professions in La Joya ISD, Munoz felt the true weight of that responsibility. Daughter of immigrant parents. First-generation college student. The pressure was on. In high school, Munoz completed training as a certified nurse assistant and…

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McAllen Police to Host Citizens’ Police Academy

Community e-Brief Features Government News Comments
McAllen Police Department (photo mcallen.net)

The McAllen Police Department is now accepting applications for its 18th Citizens’ Police Academy. Starting Aug. 15 and running through Oct. 16, the 10-week academy will meet every Thursday evening from 6-9 p.m.  There is no cost to apply and selected applicants must be 21 years of age or older; able to attend all classes; work or reside in McAllen; and turn in a completed application by July 26. “The…

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Edinburg Celebrates All-America Honor

Community News Comments
An Edinburg delegation gathers to celebrate their city being an All-America City for the fourth time in its history. (Courtesy)

Edinburg’s legacy of civic engagement and improvement reached another milestone recently as the fast-growing community was named an All-America City for the fourth time in its history. The award, as given by the National Civic League, celebrates communities that exemplify the best projects and achievements in innovation, civic engagement and collaboration. The organization chose Edinburg as one of 20 finalists this year from a pool of several hundred applicant cities…

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Apprenticeship Program Addresses Industry Needs

Education Manufacturing/Industrial News Comments
STC’s construction apprenticeship program such as blueprint reading and management skills. (Courtesy)

The Construction Superintendent Apprenticeship program at South Texas College gives students the opportunity to earn while they learn.  Maribel and Carolina Saenz – two sisters who operate their own utility contracting business – received a certificate of completion from STC’s apprenticeship program. The program is tailored to students already working in an industry. For the Saenz sisters, the STC certifications will help take their Saenz Utility Contractors of Edcouch-Elsa to…

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Robotics Connects RGV Youths To Future

Education News Technology Comments
Heriberto Reynoso plans to use a facility in Mercedes as a space to manufacture products and teach students about robotics. (Courtesy)

Heriberto Reynoso is a high school graduate of the early 2000s and was the type of kid “building robots in my garage” when such technological skills were a bit rare among American youth.  His parents wondered what he was doing, while at school, he recalls teachers that “didn’t understand what I was asking.” Reynoso was perhaps a bit ahead of his time at his high school in Brownsville. His technological…

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New Chamber President Lifting Up SPI

Community News Comments
SPI Chamber leadership and the community celebrated in recent months the official grand opening of new offices on Padre Boulevard. (Courtesy)

Jeanette Greider’s arrival as the South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce‘s new president came after a serendipitous turn of events in the spring of 2023. Greider’s lengthy career in media sales and management had recently come to an end when she decided to participate in a customer service seminar given by the SPI Convention & Visitors Bureau. Greider wanted to network with others generally connected to her field of sales,…

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UTRGV Introduces Summer 2024 Grad Incentive

e-Brief Features Education Featured News Comments
UTRGV

This summer, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is offering a special incentive to incoming graduate students, aimed at jumpstarting their academic journey toward an advanced degree. The new Summer 2024 Grad Incentive will grant up to $2,000 toward the education of new students entering any academic program within the UTRGV Graduate College. This award, provided through grants or scholarships, is available on a first-come, first-serve basis until funds are exhausted. To…

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New Retailing Highlights Mission’s Growth

Community News Comments
Murdoch’s Ranch and Home Supply and Burlington take up the largest sites in NewQuest Properties’ Mission Gateway on the corner of Expressway 83 and Bryan Road.

Murdoch’s Ranch and Home Supply held a grand opening at its first site in the Rio Grande Valley in early April.  Nearly 2,000 miles from its flagship store in Bozeman, Mont., this Murdoch’s is at the corner of Expressway 83 and Bryan Road in Mission, a location next to a Burlington store in a new retail development area.  “It’s a perfect retail outlet that fits well with the city of…

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Glazer’s Anchors Weslaco Industrial Park

Community News Retail Comments
Glazer's distributes some of the country's better know brands of beer across the Rio Grande Valley, (Courtesy)

Weslaco’s city leadership in recent years has honed in on a consistent message amid the community’s growth across several key economic sectors. The days of local residents having to go to McAllen to shop and dine are over, they say. “We don’t have to leave Weslaco anymore,” said Steven Valdez, the executive director of the Weslaco Economic Development Corporation. “We can stay home.” A business and commerce identity independent of…

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