Category Archives: Featured

Mentoring: the Missing Link to Small Business Growth and Survival

Business Advice Featured News Comments

As a former small business owner and entrepreneur, I know first-hand the support, resources and access to networks and financing that entrepreneurs need. While there are many businesses that experience success, the fact remains that only half of all small businesses survive more than five years (source: SBA Office of Advocacy); and about 10-12 percent of all employee-based firms close each year. There is growing evidence, however, that connecting a business…

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McAllen Chamber Plans Trip to Oaxaca

Events Featured Government News Transportation & Travel Comments
Oaxaca

The McAllen Chamber of Commerce is planning a trip to Oaxaca, where a McAllen delegation, headed by Mayor Jim Darling, will meet with Oaxaca’s city and state officials to formalize a sister city relationship. Among the activities planned for this trip are meetings with businesses and producers from Oaxaca and touring some of Oaxaca’s surroundings and historical locations. The delegation will also be part of a Calenda Parade and enjoying…

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Feeding the Cattle Industry

Agriculture e-Brief Features Featured News Comments
A worker rakes hay into rows where it will dry for several days before it is baled. (VBR)

The Lone Star State is the nation’s number one producer of cattle, with Nebraska and Kansas following. Texas had an estimated 12.5 million heads of cattle in 2018, according to latest statistics issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. And beef consumption per capita is at nearly 80 pounds in the United States. With that said, the portions of meat a person consumes at a dinner or at a restaurant…

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VITA Assists With Free Tax Returns

Events Featured Finance/Banking Government News Comments
The VITA program will be at STC until March 8 to assist with tax returns.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is currently offering free income tax service at South Texas College. VITA works in cooperation with United Way of South Texas and the Internal Revenue Service. The program offers free tax assistance to people who make approximately $55,000 or less. The VITA office is open from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. until March 8 at the Pecan campus portable building #27B on the west side of…

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Plans Finalizing for Air Ambulance Service

Featured Healthcare News Comments

Leaders for Hidalgo County EMS/South Texas Air Med met on Jan. 31 to work to finalize a plan to provide helicopter air ambulance service to area hospitals. The announcement came shortly after Air Evac Lifeteam in McAllen immediately ceased operations. “We anticipate to launch a helicopter air ambulance service within the next 90 to 120 days,” said Kenny Ponce, President/CEO of Hidalgo County EMS/South Texas Air Med. “It’s something we…

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Aeromar Enhances Mexico Service

Featured News Transportation & Travel Comments
Aeromar

Customers have from now until Feb. 15 to book promotional introductory rates for Aeromar’s new enhanced flight schedule from McAllen International Airport to Mexico. The flight schedules connect McAllen via Mexico City to Acapulco, Oaxaca and Puerto Escondido as well as San Luis Potosi and Ixtapa Zihuatanejo. One-way fares start at $203. In addition, travel must take place by Dec. 19. “It is exciting to extend our service beyond Mexico City…

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Cooking in the Great Outdoors

Featured News Professional Services Retail Comments
An outdoor kitchen and entertainment area with fireplace designed and installed by Grill Street. (Courtesy)

Outdoor grilling is as popular as ever in the Rio Grande Valley, with greater numbers of people taking it well beyond simply firing up a gas grill or charcoal pit on the back patio to cook steaks, ribs, chicken, vegetables and more. A fast-growing segment is expanding their options to install outdoor kitchens, some of which are as well-equipped as the indoor versions. Ruben Castillo, an architect who moved to…

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Five Reasons You Need a Business Plan

Business Advice Featured Comments
business plan

If you are starting a small business, there is no shortage of advice on the steps you should take: registering your business name, getting a Tax ID, deciding on a business structure and applying for the needed permits and licenses. While these are all very important steps to take, a business plan will be central to how you start, grow and develop your business. Here are five reasons why you…

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Walmart Increases Driver Pay

Featured News Comments
Walmart truck

Beginning in February, drivers for Walmart will receive a per mile increase of $0.01 and a 50-cent increase in activity pay for arrive and arrive/drop occurrences. Each year, Walmart’s 8,000 drivers travel over 700 million miles and deliver millions of cases of merchandise to 4,700 Walmart and Sam’s Club locations across the nation. In Texas, Walmart employs 169,000 associates at 598 retail units while also spending $52.4 billion with 285,000 Texas suppliers in 2018.…

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TSC Students Receive Free Transit Service

Education Featured News Comments
(photo City of Brownsville)

Student of Texas Southmost College can now take advantage of free transit service from STC’s main campus to the International Technology, Education and Commerce Center. The Brownsville Metro Scorpion Connector service is a pilot program from TSC, Brownsville Metro and the City of Brownsville. TSC students can use Route 14 and all fixed route services free of charge with a valid TSC Student ID. During the spring 2019 semester, transit service runs…

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