Category Archives: Government

Edinburg Economic Development Department Board Forms

Former Rep. Verónica Gonzáles is one of seven members now on the board of directors for the newly-created Edinburg Economic Development Department. (photo Paul Chouy)

The new Edinburg Economic Development Department now has a seven-member board of directors after appointments by the Edinburg City Council. The board consists of a former state representative, three previous members of the Edinburg EDC board of directors and three other prominent area leaders. The Edinburg Economic Development Department takes over the duties of the Edinburg EDC. The Edinburg EDC every year received millions from the city’s one-half cent sales…

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Harlingen Launches Small Business Loan Program

The City of Harlingen and the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation have established the Harlingen’s Emergency Loan Program (HELP) for Small Business with $1,000,000. The HEDC will provide the emergency loans at zero interest to qualified businesses. Repayment of the loans will then start a year after fund disbursement. “Our business community is so interconnected and when businesses are hurting, it impacts others as well,” says HEDC President Mickey Boland. “The decision…

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Traffic Volumes Dropping

Social distance practices and shelter in place directives from county judges appear to be having the effect intended. At least one Rio Grande Valley city reports significant declines in vehicular traffic. The City of McAllen reports a nearly 70 percent drop in normal vehicular traffic at two of its busiest intersections. Those locations are 2nd Street and Nolana Avenue and Ware Road and Nolana. Both intersections as of March 28…

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Local Webinar Addresses SBA Disaster Loans

The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce joins the SBA’s Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office to provide a webinar about the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program April 3 at 10 a.m. This webinar will address and inform small businesses with an interest in applying for the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan. The program covers vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue due to…

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McAllen Goes Green With Unique Facility

Grinding and processing brush at the McAllen Composting Facility.

Robert Treviño winds his city-issued truck through 20-foot-plus high piles of brush – grinded and raw – at the McAllen Composting Facility.  The city’s renewable resource manager oversees a facility that annually sells 25,000 bags of compost and mulch, and also hauls and delivers products all over South Texas. It’s a valuable commodity among growers and gardeners for the nutrients and microbial activity it provides to soils for plant use…

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SBA Disaster Loans Available in Texas

Small businesses throughout the entire state of Texas are now eligible to apply for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans. “I’m encouraged by the collaboration between the Texas Governor’s Office and the SBA Disaster Team to rapidly make this recovery funding available to small businesses and nonprofits statewide,” said South Central Regional Administrator Justin Crossie. Small businesses are beginning to feel the impact from the spread of…

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Local Drive-Through Coronavirus Testing Begins

coronavirus

Starr County began offering drive-through coronavirus testing on Sunday while Cameron and Hidalgo counties saw their number of COVID-19 cases grow over the weekend. The first coronavirus-confirmed patient in Hidalgo County is from McAllen. The second also resides in the county, but health officials did not state in which city the patient lives. Both patients were infected away from the Rio Grande Valley before returning home and showing symptoms. Cameron…

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RGV Sees First COVID-19 Case

The Rio Grande Valley reported its first travel-related coronavirus case Thursday evening. This comes on the same day Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the temporary closing of schools, restaurant dining areas, gyms and bars statewide. A 21-year-old man from Rancho Viejo tested positive for COVID-19 after traveling to Spain and Ireland from March 5-12. He began feeling the coronavirus symptoms of fever and cough and then went to Valley Baptist Medical…

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RGV Communities Limit Size Of Public Gatherings 

Counties and cities across the Rio Grande Valley moved quickly on Tuesday to enact new measures to encourage social distancing and limit the number of people allowed in public places to counter the dangers and potential outbreak of the coronavirus. Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez issued a disaster declaration due to a public health emergency after conferring with leaders of the county’s 22 cities. The declaration became effective Tuesday and…

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Hidalgo County Names Public Affairs Director

Carlos Sanchez

Carlos Sanchez is now the public affairs director and spokesman for Hidalgo County with appointment from Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez. “I’m honored to serve as spokesman for Hidalgo County,” said Sanchez. “Developing a strong communications blueprint between the county and the community at large is my priority.” Sanchez is a 37-year veteran of the news industry. He was recently a senior editor for Texas Monthly magazine in the…

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