Category Archives: Featured

Weslaco Chamber Names New Board

Priscilla Canales, Travis McDaniel and Daniel Montez join the Weslaco Chamber board of directors.

Three new members are now part of the 2018-2019 Weslaco Chamber of Commerce board of directors. Joining current members are Superintendent of Weslaco ISD Priscilla Canales, Valley Trophies owner Travis McDaniel and South Texas College Mid Valley Campus Administrator Daniel Montez. Canales’s service in the interest of public schools in both large and mid-size school systems spans to 1991. Through the years, her various positions in education includes teacher, mentor, educational specialist, assistant principal and principal,…

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The Current State of U.S./Mexico Relations

The future economics between the United States and Mexico will be very interesting. All eyes will be on future trade relations, especially after Dec. 1 due to incoming president Andres Manuel Lopez. With current rocky trade relations between the United States and China, Mexico has plenty to gain under the new NAFTA terms. On Nov. 9, Duncan Wood, director of the Wilson Center’s Mexico Institute, spoke at the McAllen Performing…

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STHS is One of Nation’s Best for Cardiac Surgery

McAllen Heart Hospital

South Texas Health System Heart (McAllen Heart Hospital) is one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery as well as America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Care according to a national study by Healthgrades. Every year, Healthgrades evaluates hospital performance at almost 4,500 hospitals nationwide for 32 of the most common inpatient procedures and conditions. The accolades comes from Healthgrades 2019 Report to the Nation. The report demonstrates how clinical performance…

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Edinburg Chamber to Honor Vackars

Robert and Janet Vackar

The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce‘s 2018 Man and Woman of the Year will receive honors Nov. 9 at the chamber’s annual Installation Banquet. This year’s honorees are Robert and Janet Vackar, owners of Bert Ogden Auto Group. Recognition of Jennifer Garza as incoming president of the chamber board accompanies the celebration of the Vackars. Garza is currently the vice president of operations for Superior Health Plan. Also receiving recognition are Agustin Lozano…

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McAllen Businesses Provide Apprenticeships

Youth Apprenticeship Program (photo STC)

On Oct. 31, South Texas College, the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and McAllen Independent School District’s Youth Apprenticeship Program held a ceremonial signing of registered apprenticeship agreements and work contracts for high school juniors and seniors. “This program is really where the future is headed in developing talent in our community,” said Steve Alenius, president/CEO of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce. “I’m really excited about the commitment our business community has…

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Harlingen Port Sees Growth

An average of 25 barges carrying various commodities visit the Port of Harlingen every month. (Courtesy)

The stretch of the Arroyo Colorado that winds from Harlingen to the Laguna Madre is well known as a recreational hotspot in Cameron County. From Arroyo City to the bay, the banks are lined with residences, many with private boat docks, and the Adolph Thomae Jr. County Park boasts a busy public boat ramp. But there is a different kind of marine traffic that navigates this section of the arroyo,…

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GoodPitch Nurtures Public Speaking

GoodPitch logo

The McAllen Chamber of Commerce hosts its GoodPitch Competition Dec. 6, nurturing public speaking skills in the entrepreneurial and business community in McAllen. According to the chamber, the competition is “a great occasion to polish and/or prepare a speech to a potential business opportunity.” During the competition, participants give “elevator pitches,” simulating the real-world process of promoting, selling or soliciting buy-into an idea, product, service or request. The best elevator speech…

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Brownsville Grant Aims at 501(c)3 Organizations

BCIC

The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation is accepting applications for its Partnership Grant.  The grant is awarded to 501(c)3 organizations with projects that will significantly impact the city’s sales tax revenues. This includes events, activities and campaigns taking place from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2019. The Partnership Grants is the replacement for the Promotion & Community Events Grant. This grant provided supplemental funding for marketing expenditures towards community events, campaigns or…

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Edinburg City Council Appoints City Manager

Juan Guerra

Juan Guerra is now the city manager of Edinburg, with his appointment coming at a special Edinburg City Council meeting Oct. 9. Guerra comes to Edinburg with 18 years of experience in city government. This includes three years as city manager for the City of Pharr since 2015. Born and raised in Chicago, Guerra has been a resident of the Rio Grande Valley for 26 years. He is a graduate of Nikki…

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Brownsville Luncheon Celebrates Leadership

Incoming Brownsville Chamber of Commerce Board Chairwoman Monica Garza welcomed an energetic crowd Oct. 18 to the Brownsville Events Center for the annual Leadership Luncheon. The event honors outgoing chamber board officers and incoming board officers. Brownsville Mayor Tony Martinez also spoke to the crowd on leadership. “A leader is well prepared, relentless in pursuit and emotionally stable (takes the drama out of decisions), while also possessing good character and…

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