Blake Henry’s career has taken him around the country as a hospitality industry veteran who has now located to South Padre Island. Henry is the new director of the South Padre Island Convention & Visitors Bureau who is looking forward to the planned renovation of the CVB’s main venue. It is a key piece of his plans to raise national awareness of SPI. The Island’s brand is strong instate as…
South Texas College, for six consecutive years, has received a Military Friendly School Gold Award. For the first time, it is also the recipient of Military Friendly Spouse School recognition. The Military Friendly rating is awarded by VIQTORY, a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business. The rating measures an organization’s commitment, effort and success in creating sustainable and meaningful opportunity for the military community. “This is a distinction we’re proud of,” said…
The 16th annual 2022 Fiesta de Palmas takes place Oct. 21-23 at the McAllen Convention Center and organizers are promising the biggest Fiesta yet. The event features a hefty line up of live music, carnival rides, diverse foods and interactive activities for the kids. More than 60,000 people are expected to attend and enjoy attractions for all ages, including the Voladores de Papantla, Children’s Interactive activities, like Dinosaur George and Into…
Every year, the McAllen Chamber of Commerce Man & Woman of the Year Selection Committee selects two outstanding volunteers to receive the honor of McAllen’s Man & Woman of the Year. Now through Sept. 2, the committee is accepting nominations for the awards. Nominees must live in McAllen or own a business in McAllen to receive this recognition. According to the chamber, factors for nomination include “acts of exceptional kindness and…
Weslaco’s Mid Valley International Industrial Park is the recipient of a $1.5-million federal grant to expand opportunities for commercial, cold storage and warehousing businesses. The industrial park has seen significant growth in recent years, especially with companies involved in cold storage and shipment of produce from Mexico, as well as other agricultural commodities like cotton. The federal grant to Weslaco comes from the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration. The…
The City of McAllen Transit Department and South Texas College has begun a new transit academy. STC will now offer training for prospective drivers of the city’s Metro Bus System, as an effort to address a severe driver shortage affecting the industry locally as well as nationwide. The interlocal agreement between the city and the college came with approval by city commissioners. The city is donating a 2011 Gillig 35’…
UTRGV is helping graduate students stay on track this fall with several special financial incentives. The Fall 2022 Graduate School incentives include: A $2,000 Grad Bonus offered only for Fall 2022 to Spring 2023. All graduate students who enroll for six credit hours or more will receive $1,000. Students who enroll for another six credit hours in the spring will also receive another $1,000, for a total of $2,000. A $1,000 Graduate Select…
South Texas College Board of Trustee Paul Rodriguez was recently named 108th president of the Texas Land Title Association. He is the first Rio Grande Valley native to hold this state title. The TLTA is a statewide association representing the Texas title insurance industry. It serves more than 15,000 professionals providing a program of regulatory and legislative advocacy on state and federal levels. Rodriguez is also the president and CEO…
IBC Bank McAllen is partnering, once again with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for its 2022 Strut for the Cure fashion show. The fundraising extravaganza takes place Sept. 15 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Ballroom in McAllen. “IBC Bank has been a proud supporter of MD Anderson for many years and encourages the communities we serve to become MD Anderson supporters as well” …
The city of South Padre Island will see the building of its long-awaited historical museum after being awarded a $1.5-million federal grant via funds from the American Rescue Plan. The grant will go through the Economic Development Administration and will be matched with $375,00 in local funds. It is expected to generate $1.2 million in private investment. City leaders hope the new museum will be open by summer 2023. Community…