Category Archives: Manufacturing/Industrial

TIA Brings Jets, Hanger to Life

Scene at Harlingen airport hangar where TIA does repair and maintenance work on turbo engine jets.

Robert Sanders rolls open the huge doors of a World War II-era hanger. He walks onto a floor of Learjets and other turbo prop business and civilian jets.  It’s TIA Aeronautics at the Valley International Airport in Harlingen. Sanders, the business owner, and Orlando Cano, the company’s general manager, begin to point out the various state of repairs on the planes. Sanders was born in Germany as the son of…

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Moving Cotton To Mexico

Forklift operators work in moving bales to waiting trucks at Commodities Integrated Logistics.

The bays of a brand new 82,500-square-foot warehouse swing open. Truck trailers stand ready to receive freshly packaged 500-pound bales of Rio Grande Valley cotton. “The gins are working 24/7, so we have to be ready,” said Laura Salazar, the general manager of Commodities Integrated Logistics. Salazar walks through the warehouse in Weslaco. Forklift operators are busy transporting packages of cotton to and from the trailers. It’s the cotton season…

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New Mobile Cranes Coming to Brownsville

The Port of Brownsville’s new Model 6 cranes will feature a powerful lifting curve with a maximum lifting capacity of 125 tons. (photo Port of Brownsville)

In June, the Port of Brownsville ordered two new mobile harbor cranes, soon increasing its dockside handling capacity. The seaport is experiencing higher cargo volumes across its range of services. The two new Konecranes Gottwald Model 6 mobile harbor cranes will be delivered both fully assembled and commissioned. They will be ready to begin work as early as December. The cranes will handle a wide variety of cargo, including breakbulk,…

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Port of Brownsville Recognizes Truck Drivers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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