Eleazar Olivarez first heard about the Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement when he was still in high school in Mission. At the time, his mom was enrolled as a nursing student. She heard about VIDA and told her son about it. Nearly 30 years ago, Valley Interfaith joined forces with a group of Valley business leaders who recognized the critical need to serve underserved residents of the region. They…
The 55th annual Fiesta Edinburg takes place Feb. 29 to March 3 at Bert Ogden Arena, celebrating the vibrant spirit of the City of Edinburg. Put on by the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce, the event features live entertainment, food, diverse vendors and the Heart of America Carnival. The chamber is currently seeking sponsors, vendors and exhibitors for the family-oriented festival. Sponsor support will contribute to the success of Fiesta Edinburg…
For working adults looking to navigate rising costs and fight the stress of inflation, financial services company Empower set out to find the most affordable U.S. cities. To create its rankings, it analyzed 113 U.S. cities across multiple categories, including data on home prices, average income, cost of living and employment rates. It also asked 800 working adults about what they look for in a city and where they want…
The Texas Workforce Commission has launched a new mobile app to help Texans explore potential career pathways and discover step-by-step resources to achieve their goals. With the launch of MyTXCareer app, job seekers can now find personalized occupation matches and recommended career paths based on their skills, interests and experience. “The continued growth of Texas’ record-breaking economy creates opportunities for Texans to advance their careers,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel.…
UTRGV hosted its latest series of “Energy & U” shows Jan. 12 at the Edinburg Performance Arts Center. The award-winning event showcases the excitement of science and engineering to area K-12 students, focusing on the intersection of energy and STEM education. Karen Lozano, Julia Beecherl Endowed Professor in Mechanical Engineering and director of the UTRGV Nanotechnology Center of Excellence, serves as principal investigator on the grant support awarded by the National Science…
The City of Pharr and the Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce recently announces that Carlos Javier “C.J.” Sanchez is the new GPCC president. “C.J. is a wonderful addition to our Pharr team! With his wealth of knowledge and experience in the business community, we know he will do an exceptional job working to promote our local Pharr businesses and community,” said City Manager Dr. Jonathan B. Flores. Hailing from Edinburg,…
South Texas College Electrician Technology students are the first in the Valley to use to utilize a newly completed composite-shingled roof structure to simulate real-world residential solar panel installations. Built last summer at STC’s Technology Campus, the simulated roof structure enables students to utilize a new solar grid system that provides the same experience as working on an actual solar roof installation at residential job sites. The structure and equipment…
Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement is one of 57 nonprofits chosen as grant partners through a Texas Mutual Insurance Company development and safety training grant cycle focused on fortifying businesses to strengthen the state’s economy. These grants are part of Texas Mutual’s larger commitment of $8 million in grant funding to nonprofit organizations across the state in two categories — generational learning for working families, and workforce development and…
The International Museum of Art & Science has been awarded a grant from the PNC Foundation in support of accessible early childhood learning and play at the museum for toddlers ages 1-5 through the Young Adventurers program. Young Adventurers is an educational program with monthly weekday morning workshops available to preschool children beginning in January through May 2024, in addition to PNC Adventure Day on March 13. This program offers…
Registration is now open for the 40th annual Causeway Run & Fitness Walk taking place April 13. offering a fitness walk and both 5K and 10K options. All who register will have the unique opportunity to cross over the famous Queen Isabella Causeway. The event follows the 6.2-mile (10K) course starting at the Port Isabel Community Center, continuing on to the Causeway over the Laguna Madre Bay and ending in…