Category Archives: Manufacturing/Industrial

Port of Brownsville Recognizes Truck Drivers

Featured Manufacturing/Industrial News Comments
On a daily basis the Port of Brownsville welcomes 800 to 1,000 trucks that enter the port to pick up cargo and deliver it across the nation.

The Port of Brownsville is currently honoring the millions of professional truck drivers who work to deliver America’s freight safely and securely every day. During National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (Sept. 9-13), the Port of Brownsville will offer free breakfast and lunch to drivers doing business with the port. The port also partnered with the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority to distribute 500 giveaway bags to drivers at the Foust…

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Local Company is Construction Heavyweight

Manufacturing/Industrial Comments
J.J. Vela supervises the IBST plant operation.

Although the Rio Grande Valley is not as much of a manufacturing region as some other places in the state and the country, a local company continues to be a leader in the construction industry. It’s Innovative Block of South Texas. The La Feria business opened its doors in 2006 and is a major supplier of construction and solid blocks, as well as patio and walkway pavers. In addition, the company also…

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Development Makes the RGV Prosperous

Agriculture Arts Education Featured Food & Entertainment Government Healthcare Manufacturing/Industrial News Recreation & Tourism Retail Transportation & Travel Comments

Eighty years ago, the Rio Grande Valley was a rural, agriculturally based economy with little growth happening. Fast forward to 10 years ago, and the RGV was quickly becoming a thriving metropolitan area as development intensified. Today, the region has completely transformed economically. It has become an area developed by improving and increasing commercial, retail, industrial, entertainment, medical and higher education institutions.  Education In 2013, the transformation of the RGV’s…

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Second Chance Leads to Careers

Education Government Manufacturing/Industrial News Comments
Students stand by one of their instructors in the welding shop at the Bayview center.

AMIkids Rio Grande Valley is a one-of-a-kind program rehabilitating young felons. At the same time, it gives them the chance to become certified welders. The program has been in operation in eastern Cameron County for quite some time. AMIkids Rio Grande Valley is the only one in the Lone Star State and one of 44 AMIkids programs nationally. The organization works with at-risk youngsters ages 15 through 18. With roots in…

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Port of Brownsville Has Positive Economic Impact

Featured Manufacturing/Industrial News Comments
Port of Brownsville ship channel

The Port of Brownsville supports a total of $3 billion in total economic activity for the state and is responsible for more than 51,000 jobs within the borders. These figures come from an independent analysis by Martin Associates on port activity for the 2018 calendar year. “We celebrated a record year in tonnage earlier and are pleased to see our economic impact set a strong foundation for future growth,” said John…

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TSTC Father and Son Bond Over Welding

Education Featured Manufacturing/Industrial News Comments
TSTC Welding Technology instructor Jose Salas and his son Jesse Salas, who is a student in the program. (photo TSTC)

Texas State Technical College Welding Technology instructor Jose Salas and Welding Technology student Jesse Salas have a father and son relationship that you could say is as strong as a good weld.  A skill passed down through generations, Jesse is now a student in TSTC’s Welding Technology program. It is a program his father has been an instructor in for 37 years. Coincidentally, both men began their journeys at TSTC at…

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Grants Fund Numerous Partnerships, Apprenticeships

Education Featured Healthcare Manufacturing/Industrial News Technology Comments
The Texas Workforce Commission presents more than $300,000 in grant funding to the Lower Rio Grande Valley Workforce Development Board. The funds support projects in the board's partnership with STC, Edinburg EDC and Pharr EDC. (photo STC)

With more than $300,000 in funding, South Texas College is partnering with local workforce agencies and municipalities to bring numerous education and training opportunities to the Rio Grande Valley. The Lower Rio Grande Valley Workforce Development Board now has more than $300,000 in grant funding from the Texas Workforce Commission. The board is in now in a partnership with STC, Edinburg Economic Development and Pharr Economic Development. Earlier this month,…

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Tugboat Operator Brings Much to Port

e-Brief Features Manufacturing/Industrial News Comments
Signet Maritime’s fleet at the Port of Brownsville includes three tugboats, the Signet Defender, Signet Ranger and the Signet Magic. (photo Port of Brownsville)

In June, Signet Maritime celebrated 21 years of tugboat operations at the Port of Brownsville. The company’s full-service navigation center provides ship, barge and rig movements as well as harbor tugboat operations since 1998. The fleet includes three tugboats, the Signet Defender, Signet Ranger and the Signet Magic. These high-powered tugs assist ships and barges, often more than ten times their size. They also navigate through the 17-mile long Brownsville…

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Training Partnership Forms Skilled Workforce

e-Brief Features Featured Manufacturing/Industrial News Comments
Weslaco EDC, STC partnership

A partnership between the Weslaco Economic Development Corp. and South Texas College is leading to better trained workforces for warehousing, distribution and manufacturing companies in both the Mid-Valley and surrounding areas. A $100,000 STC grant is one component of the EDC’s partnership with the college and its Institution for Advanced Manufacturing. The training provided by the grant is initially focusing on occupational health and safety. The first round of training…

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Bulk Cargo Dock Rehabilitation Nears Completion

Featured Manufacturing/Industrial News Comments
Port of Brownsville bulk cargo dock

The Port of Brownsville will resume exporting grains by vessel with the rehabilitation of the bulk cargo dock scheduled for completion this month. The renovation project is part of a 2016 agreement between the port and West Plains LLC to restore and operate the grain elevator. The elevator has a capacity to store three million bushels of grain. Since restoration efforts began, West Plains has invested multiple millions of dollars…

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