Public-private collaborations to build a workforce for the future have picked up speed in recent years amidst growing concerns that some skills needed to prosper are lagging behind advancements in technology. Electric cars whizzing around at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour offer a recent example of how some young people in the Rio Grande Valley are looking forward. Thirty-one teams representing middle schools, high schools and colleges…
Lemonade stands pop up every year around McAllen as the local chamber seeks to spark an entrepreneurial spirit in the city’s youth. Lemonade Day is held every May as stands set up shop in front of McAllen-area businesses. Lemonade Day is a national event and is held in 65 U.S. cities and 23 states. McAllen’s first Lemonade Day came in 2012, and since then the McAllen Chamber of Commerce has…
One of the least favorite aspects of a supervisor’s job is having to discipline, and possibly terminate, an employee. It can be fraught with emotion and legal pitfalls if not done correctly. But there are ways to minimize the unpleasant and sometimes risky task. Former corporate human resources manager Marco E. Garza, who today serves as assistant chair and faculty with the Department of Management at the University of Texas…
The Women’s Business Center of Cameron County and the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce are now accepting applications from those interested in starting a business for its DreamBuilder Academy. The 12-module course is designed specifically for women (although anyone can participate) and creates a step-by-step framework for starting a business. The DreamBuilder format helps participants realize if they should start a business, as well as understand a business plan. Costs with…
Area businesses who have an interest in Property Assessed Clean Energy are invited to attend an information session April 23 at the Port Isabel-San Benito Navigation District. During this time, PACE Executive Director Charlene Heydinger will discuss how property owners can upgrade their buildings and conserve energy while also saving money. Financing options are available for industrial property owners and multifamily property owners as well as commercial property owners. Industrial Property Owners The Texas…
The Women in Technology event takes place April 19 at the South Texas College Technology Campus Atrium, highlight careers in technology considered as non-traditional for females. The event will include information booths from programs in the Business, Public Safety, and Technology divisions. This includes Fire Science, Police Academy, Engineering Design, Culinary Arts and Construction. STC Information Technology Program instructor and event organizer Angelita Teniente says events like this are crucial for women who…
NAFTA issues that directly impact the border region will be the topics of discussion in a conference April 20 in McAllen. The “Renegotiating NAFTA: Challenges and Opportunities” Conference aims to educate attendees on how NAFTA renegotiations could change the local quality of life in South Texas. The conference will include also roundtable discussions on strategies that are applicable in preparing for changes in NAFTA. Topics include investment and job creation, as…
More than 5,000 attendees took part in South Texas All Hazards Conference 2018 during the two-day conference last week. Held at the McAllen Convention Center, the event included an expo, classes, presentations and networking. John O’Valle, district director at Texas Department of Public Safety Division of Emergency Management, was very pleased with this year’s attendance. “On Wednesday alone, 3,157 people walked through the doors,” O’Valle praised. Initial projected attendance, according to…
Keep McAllen Beautiful is organizing its annual Great American Clean-Up & Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-off for April 7, 2018 from 8 a.m. to noon at McAllen Municipal Park. KMB plans to hit the city’s major streets, hike and bike trails, city parks and schools to help keep McAllen looking clean and beautiful. “I am always so proud of our city during the cleanup because of the number of volunteers that participate and…
The UTRGV SBDC invites high-tech, innovative companies interested in seed funds for research and development to attend a workshop March 27-28. The government’s Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs are the focus. The two collectively offer more than $2.6 billion in high-risk, non-dilutive capital available to innovative small companies annually. Expert speakers for the sessions include Michael Kurek from BBBetc and Bijo Mathew from the UTSA SBDC Technology…