Category Archives: Government

South Texas College Hosts President’s Advisory Retreat

Education Featured Government Comments

Representatives from the RGV law enforcement community recently met for South Texas College’s first President’s Advisory Council Retreat. Here, leaders provided regular input and recommendations for professional continuing education and degree programs. Law enforcement is coordinating with STC to develop an action plan as the STC Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence gets underway. Earlier this year, STC President Shirley A. Reed extended an invitation to leaders of the law enforcement…

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The Basics of 8(a) Government Contracting

Business Advice Events Featured Government News Comments
SBA Business Opportunity Specialist Gilbert Soliz Jr. explains both the ins and outs of the 8(a) Business Development Program on Sept. 6 at the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is an invaluable resource for any new entrepreneur. The 8(a) Business Development Program began as a public law and was named after Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act of 1953 (Section 204 of Public Law 100-656). The program’s incorporation took place in 1984 in Part 19, Small Business Program of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). Specifically, the program is a creation for businesses to work…

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TWC Chairman Resigns

e-Brief Features Government News Comments
Andres Alcantar

Texas Workforce Commission Chairman and Commissioner Representing the Public Andres Alcantar will retire from state service effective July 31. “The last ten years of service to the people of Texas through the Workforce Commission has been the highest honor and privilege of my professional life,” Alcantar said. “I am sincerely grateful to my fellow commissioners and thank the governor for the opportunity to serve our great state in this capacity.…

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Edinburg Makes Move for Bus Trolleys

e-Brief Features Government News Comments
The City of Edinburg is making financial moves to bring electric bus trolleys to the city, similar in design to this vehicle operated by Laguna Beach Transit in California. (photo Hometown Trolley)

This week, Edinburg Mayor Richard Molina and the city council gave a commitment for funds establish the city’s first downtown bus trolley system. The $126,000 letter of commitment is as a local match for a federal program that through Valley Metro – if approved by the Federal Transportation Administration – would provide an additional $719,000 to establish routes in the local community. Funds from the federal goverment would come via the…

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Local Leaders Take Part in RGV2DC Fly-In

e-Brief Features Events Government News Comments
Community leaders and stakeholders from the Rio Grande Valley gathered in Washington, D.C. for the 2nd Annual RGV2DC fly-in.

Forty community leaders and stakeholders from the Rio Grande Valley recently traveled to Washington, D.C. for the second annual RGV2DC fly-in. During their time in D.C., attendees met with members of Congress, including senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz and Congressman Beto O’Rourke. Mayor of McAllen Mayor Jim Darling; elected officials from Mission, Pharr, and Brownsville; as well as senior leadership from the RGV Partnership, University of Texas at Rio Grande…

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BCIC Offers Economic Development Grants

e-Brief Features Government News Non-Profit Comments
BCIC

Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation is seeking nonprofit and city partners to partner with to promote economic development. BCIC looks to promote the development through the BCIC Partnership Grants which focus on community development projects. Both nonprofit organizations and city departments are the focus of the grants. By design, the awards engage in the necessary community development needed to promote economic development opportunities. Through the grants, the BCIC will supplement up to $5,000…

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Brothers Credit SBA Programs with Growth

Business Advice Featured Government Comments

Federal programs and contracts pay off Brothers Samuel and Saul Maldonado founded SAM Engineering & Surveying Inc. in June 2008 with only three employees and yearly sales of $400,000. Today, the firm has grown to 55 employees with sales in excess of $4 million.  The brothers attribute part of their success with assistance provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Starting initially as an engineering and surveying firm, SAMES added…

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Disaster Assistance … The SBA You Never Knew

Business Advice Government News Comments

What used to be a family home is now splintered debris after being beat by strong winds. An office building or retail store that serves as a source of sales and income for several workers is now unusable and unprofitable in the blink of an eye. Who do you call? Helping communities recover and rebuild after hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and other disasters is a side of the U.S. Small Business…

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Op-ed: SBA loves Rio Grande Valley Small Businesses

e-Brief Features Government News Comments

Local assistance for small businesses It is exciting when a new business opens in the Rio Grande Valley, and we LOVE it because it strengthens both the community and the economy. The latest U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy stats show small firm openings have accounted for 40 percent of the “new” American jobs over the last two decades. During the first quarter of fiscal 2017, SBA approved 31…

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