Category Archives: Featured

The Edinburg Chamber Ambassadors will host “Chamber Raids” throughout the month at local restaurants, encouraging the community to support each business. According to a release from the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce, “Chamber Raids are flash mobs, but instead of dancing and singing our community rallies together to make purchases at the participating locations.” “To ensure all our business members are being supported during these difficult times we have decided to…

McAllen Ranks as Safest City

January 7, 2021

VBR

McAllen has once again been recognized as one of the top safest cities in America for its low crime rate, this time by MoneyGeek. The ranking compares the direct economic costs of crime to individual victims, perpetrators, communities and society at large. MoneyGeek analyzed crime statistics and research findings based on victim; criminal justice systems; crime career; and intangible costs to estimate the cost of crimes in over 300 cities…

A Life Is Turned Around with VIDA

January 7, 2021

Chris Ardis

Community e-Brief Features Featured News Comments

Each month, VBR shines a spotlight on a current participant or a graduate of Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement. VIDA’s mission is to simultaneously address the need for skilled works in the Valley while preparing unemployed and underemployed residents for high-skill, high-wage jobs. This month, the spotlight is on Maria Delgado. The story is written in her words just prior to her graduation in December 2020, which will provide…

Trump Approves Pharr-Reynosa Bridge Expansion

January 5, 2021

VBR

Featured News Transportation & Travel Comments

On Dec. 31, President Donald J. Trump issued a presidential permit for the expansion of the Pharr International Bridge. The 2020 permit amends the current permit to allow for the addition of another bridge at the international port of entry. This second span will add additional lanes to completely separate trucks and cars. Dedicated lanes for empties, full cargo, certified cargo and passenger vehicles will add capacity and reduce wait times. Pharr…

Edinburg Honors Man & Woman of the Year

January 3, 2021

VBR

Community Featured News Comments

Mario Lizcano and Linda Tovar are the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce’s Man & Woman of the Year, respectively. The two receive the honors due to their positive impact on the Edinburg community. According to the chamber, both “demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to civic engagement to benefit our community.” Mario Lizcano currently serves as DHR Health’s administrator of Corporate Affairs. He also serves as Edinburg Census Committee chairman, promoting efforts…

Kauffman FastTrac Coming to Harlingen

December 31, 2020

VBR

Business Advice Featured News Comments

Annually, the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation sponsors two Kauffman FastTrac courses. The next session begins Feb. 2 via Zoom for this accelerated business course, led by the UTRGV Entrepreneurship & Commercialization Center. The Harlingen EDC’s sponsorship gives up to 10 Harlingen-based entrepreneurs the opportunity to take this exclusive course at no cost. The course is at a value of more than $700 per participant. Course offerings are typically in the spring…

Entrepreneur Finds Inspiration In Faith

December 31, 2020

Chris Ardis

e-Brief Features Featured News Retail Comments

Mari Rodriguez accepted a job with Central Power and Light and moved to the Rio Grande Valley in 1994. She thought it would be only for a year. Her plan did not include meeting a pharmacist from San Antonio named Cecilio who had also moved to the Valley. Mari would not return to Corpus Christi, where she lived previously. Mari and Cecilio would walk down the aisle. The couple then…

Kick Off the Year With a First Day Hike

December 28, 2020

VBR

Community Events Featured News Recreation & Tourism Comments

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is encouraging Texans to “start the new year in nature” with a First Day Hike at a Texas state park. Citizens can walk, bike or paddle their way into 2021 on a First Day Hike at 89 Texas state parks. First Day Hikes at Texas’ state parks aim to help visitors commit to their New Year’s resolutions to get healthy. Last year, 5,242 visitors…

TSC Brings Holiday Magic to Elementary School

December 27, 2020

VBR

Community Events Education Featured Giving Back Comments

Texas Southmost College recently delivered toys to the children of Rosa E. Del Castillo Elementary School in Brownsville to help make Christmas a little brighter. Every year, TSC selects a different elementary school that will benefit from the Angel Tree Toy Drive hosted by TSC Student Life. The drive garners hundreds of donations from TSC students, faculty and staff over the course of several weeks. This year, TSC was able…

UTRGV Invests $1.5M For Merit-Based Scholarships

December 26, 2020

VBR

Education Featured News Comments

UTRGV will invest $1.5 million to double the amount of merit-based scholarships available in Fall 2021. The additional funding comes in effort to retain top high school students from the region. The UTRGV Scholars Program currently awards 200 merit-based scholarships. Starting next fall, the program will double to have 400 merit-based scholarships available. Overall, over the course of the four-year scholarship program, UTRGV will invest a total of $8 million dollars.…

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