It was a grand opening for the record books. On Aug. 25, Alonzo and Yoli Cantu along with Bob and Janet Vackar personally welcomed guests to the Bert Ogden Arena, the new home of the RGV Vipers. Right off I-69 in Edinburg is where a preview party took place Saturday evening. The Bert Ogden Arena is a game changer, and entertainment in the Rio Grande Valley just went to a…
Teacher candidates from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley now have a two new homes for training with experienced cooperating teachers, With the upcoming fall semester, those in the university’s Student Teacher Education Preparation University Partnership will be joining classrooms in both McAllen and Los Fresnos ISD. As part of STEP UP‘s goal in expanding and assisting future teachers in the Valley, teacher candidates will work with experienced teachers also to learn and…
The City of Alamo will host its biannual Small Business Workshop Sept. 19 to educate business owners on ways to get financial assistance as well as help bring ideas to fruition. Alamo EDC Director Rafael Tapia will discuss Alamo programs as well as available opportunities such as the Revolving Loan Program and Micro-Loan Program. These programs assist small businesses and start-ups by providing a low-cost alternative financing option. Information on Texas…
Over the past year, the U.S. Small Business Administration has helped thousands of residents and entrepreneurs in Texas, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico rebuild their homes and businesses damaged by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. Many are still recovering from the storms that caused unprecedented physical and economic devastation. After Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas on Aug. 26, 2017, the SBA quickly ramped…
The Women’s Business Center of Cameron County and the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce are currently accepting applications for DreamBuilder Academy. The 12-module program is a step-by-step framework for starting a business. Throughout the program, participants learn if they should start a business and what a business plan is as well as how much it costs to start a business. Facilitated by small business consultant Luis Urquieta, DreamBuilder is designed specifically…
Texas State Technical College’s Mechatronics Technology students will soon have labs equipped with two robotic arms to program and maintain as part of their hands-on training, thanks to Toyota. “Toyota’s donation is really important for our college, our program and our students,” said Lead Mechatronics instructor Eldwin Leija. “This allows us to expand our training and create more marketable graduates.” The donated robotic arms have built more than two million…
The Port of Brownsville has a new director of finance as well as a new director of special projects. CPA Lorena Hernandez now serves as the port’s new finance director following the retirement of Steve Fitzgibbons. Hernandez manages the port’s nine-member financial team. Her previous service to the port is in the role of assistant finance director. Jose Herrera also joins the Port of Brownsville staff as special projects director. In his new…
The McAllen International Airport was recently awarded $2.06 million in Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Grant funds. The money will improve safety as well as replace aging infrastructure at the airport. “The McAllen International Airport is the gateway to the world for all traveling to and from our city,” said McAllen Mayor Jim Darling. “With these funds, the City of McAllen will be able to invest in the necessary improvements…
More than 2,000 backpacks complete with school supplies have made their way to Mission Consolidated Independent School District thanks in part to the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce. The backpacks made their way into the hands of students Aug. 2 at Veterans Memorial High School during a Back to School Bash. More than 4,000 people, including students and families, were in attendance for the event. Offerings also included free haircuts, free eye screenings,…
McAllen is the 10th biggest boomtown in the United States, according to the latest ranking by Magnify Money. “This is an incredible testament to the opportunity available here in McAllen,” said City of McAllen Mayor Jim Darling. “This represents the dynamic partnership that exists between the business community and local government to do the type of things that attract people and industry to our city.” In calculating rankings, consideration was…