Category Archives: Featured

Mission Internship Produces Results

Mission EDC CEED

The Mission EDC’s first group of interns did exactly what they were meant to do over the last year at the CEED Building: gain experience, grow skills and get ready to transition into the professional world. The students, stationed at different work areas around the Mission EDC based on their skill set and worked on cyber security issues. They also worked in facility management, marketing, social media management, event production,…

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Summer Camps Keep Kids Busy

JHK Equestrian Country Club owner Jamie Ricks instructs a student in the riding arena. (VBR)

When the final school bell rings in the summer break, many parents turn to private businesses for programs to keep their children active through new experiences. Throughout the Rio Grande Valley there are dozens upon dozens of summer camps offering just about any activity that catches a youngster’s fancy. From horseback riding to physical fitness and art to academics, these businesses offer year-round classes in their fields, but come summer…

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The Valley is Blessed

Valley population

Full disclosure upfront: I am an unabashed fan of the Rio Grande Valley and our neighboring communities on the southern bank of the Rio Grande. Even more disclosure: As the executive director serving the members of the Rio South Texas Economic Council, I get paid to be a cheerleader for our region. Yet those who’ve known me for a while can attest that my enthusiasm for our sunny corner of…

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Mission EDC Teams Up for Educator Training

computer science professional development

More than 100 teachers and counselors in Mission will receive computer science professional development this summer thanks to a local partnership. Mission EDC, Code/Interactive and the Mission Consolidated Independent School District are joining forces with Google to offer the training to 100 teachers and 20 counselors in elementary and junior high schools. One teacher from every grade level in Mission CISD’s 14 elementary and four middle schools will receive training.…

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Does Your Nonprofit Need a Website?

Local nonprofits in need of a website may apply until May 27 to have a WordPress website created specifically for them. The charity hackaton do_action takes place June 22-23, allowing the RGV community to create websites for local nonprofit organizations. Created by CodeRGV and the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, the hackathon, providing five nonprofits with completed websites. The 24-hour event will be a platform for participants to works as teams, bringing unique…

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Facade initiative revitalize Downtown Mission

Mission Economic Development Corporation’s Downtown Facade Improvement Program

Dozens of dilapidated downtown buildings are now renovated thanks to the Mission Economic Development Corporation’s Downtown Facade Improvement Program. In partnership with locally-owned small businesses, Mission EDC has funded the refurbishment of more than 40 Conway Avenue storefronts in the past five years. Renovated storefronts include those of photo studios, barbershops, insurance agencies, boot stores and pastry shops. Still on a successful run, the program recently awarded its 41st matching grant to a small business…

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Marine Corps Values Drive Business

The Iwo Jima Monument towers over the Marine Military Academy parade grounds in Harlingen, an iconic symbol of one of the fiercest battles of World War II and the final resting place of a Rio Grande Valley Marine depicted in the sculpture and later killed in the battle. Across Iwo Jima Boulevard is the main gate to the 141-acre MMA campus, where for more than 50 years teenagers have learned…

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DreamBuilder Give Tools for Business Start-Up

DreamBuilder

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…

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UTRGV Receives Grant for Latina STEM

Latinas in STEM

The National Science Foundation has awarded the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley a $249,992 grant for the NSF INCLUDES Symposium for ADVANCING STEM Latinas in Academic Careers. The federal funds will be made available to UTRGV on Aug. 1. The funding allows UTRGV to place emphasis on increasing the number of Latinas in STEM workforce areas. The NSF symposium will provide a national platform to  discuss and address the issues that affect…

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Women in Technology Explores Career Paths

South Texas College's Women in Technology takes place April 19. (photo STC)

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…

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