Category Archives: Industry

TSTC Cyber Defense a Center of Excellence

Education Featured Technology Comments
TSTC-Cyber Defense

Computer Networking and Security Technology at Texas State Technical College in Harlingen is celebrating a unique national distinction. The program is now a Center of Excellence for Cyber Defense for two-year education programs. The recognition comes from the Department of Homeland Security and National Security Agency. The National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense recognizes and grants designations to institutions that offer rigorous degree programs in information security. “Your…

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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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Small Businesses Score $50K from Mission EDC

e-Brief Features Featured Food & Entertainment News Retail Comments

The Mission Economic Development Corporation’s small business development program, Ruby Red Ventures, named three new winners of its small business funding competition. A local all-natural, cold-pressed juice producer, a maker of pre-packaged Mexican stews and meals, and manufacturer of gourmet grilling sauces are all recent winners of $50,000 in funding from Mission EDC. Mr. Pepe, El Cazos Guisos and B. Veggie took the top three spots, respectively, in the latest round of the…

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Southwest Airlines Adds More VIA Flights

e-Brief Features News Transportation & Travel Comments

Southwest Airlines is now offering an additional 17 non-stop flights between Valley International Airport and Dallas Love Field during high demand days for Thanksgiving and Christmas 2018. Additionally, effective March 10, 2019, Southwest Airlines will offer nonstop service between Harlingen and Dallas Love on Sundays.  Southwest currently offers non-stop flights from Harlingen to Austin and Houston Hobby airports as well. Flights to Dallas will depart at 1:45 p.m. on Sundays with…

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IBC Executive Meets with Mexican Leaders

Featured Finance/Banking News Comments
IBC Bank Executive Vice President Gerry Schwebel and Chief of Staff designee and Liaison to the Mexican private sector Alfonso Romo

IBC Bank Executive Vice President Gerald “Gerry” Schwebel recently participated in a mission to Mexico City to meet with leaders of the incoming government of President-elect Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Organizer of the mission was the U.S.-Mexico CEO Dialogue, an initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The group, made up of both U.S. and Mexican leaders, addresses core issues in the countries’ bilateral relationship. Schwebel and other representatives met with…

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Artificial Intelligence Can Help Save Time

Business Advice Featured News Technology Comments
artificial intelligence

When you think of artificial intelligence, your mind might conjure images of futuristic robots or computers that are able to act as humans do. But AI isn’t just an idea for the future. It’s making a real impact on businesses today and could factor even larger in the years to come. An Accenture Research study found that AI has the potential to boost profitability by an average of 38 percent across select…

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Custom Nets to Catch Clients

News Professional Services Retail Comments
SPI Nets owner Joe Rodriguez works at his desk in the company’s San Benito office. (VBR)

Joe Rodriguez’s father started SPI Nets more than three decades ago, relying on his fishing background to launch a business making fishing nets. But today, the company’s nets don’t catch fish. They catch balls – baseballs, soccer, golf and even lacrosse balls. “The fishing industry as far as net building is a very localized business,” Rodriguez said, meaning that fishing regions tend to have plenty of established businesses manufacturing the…

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Nutty Venture Cracks Through

Food & Entertainment Retail Comments
Nuts and Cows owner Elizabeth Davis with products she pitched in the H-E-B Quest for Texas Best competition. (Courtesy)

Standing at H-E-B’s corporate headquarters in San Antonio, and going head-to-head with some of the top entrepreneurs in Texas, Elizabeth Davis was undeterred. The Reynosa native and former maquiladora worker started her Nuts and Cows business just three years ago with $89 and a belief that “success can come out of a crisis.” Davis spoke English sporadically growing up as a child of the border, but with a grit and…

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Love of Fish Nurtures Success

Professional Services Comments
Isaac Ramirez, known as The Fish Guy, with a saltwater aquarium he designed and installed in a business in Edinburg. (VBR)

When his mother bought a goldfish in a bowl at a carnival, a young Isaac Ramirez found his future. “I went back the next day and got a couple more and I was hooked.” Beginning with that day, his youthful curiosity grew into a hobby and eventually his livelihood. With as many as seven aquariums in his home at one time, hobby aquarist Ramirez was making his living as a…

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Business that Beats the Heat

Featured Professional Services Comments
A Tenzo employee cleans a large shade structure prior to the new school year at Covenant Christian Academy in McAllen. (VBR)

Protecting people and property from the scorching South Texas sun and its potentially dangerous ultra-violet rays is the focus of a fast-growing Rio Grande Valley enterprise. Tenzo Architectural Solar Shades owner Christian Diaz built the business from scratch and works tirelessly to keep up with the demand as his business continues to expand. The Mission-based company designs, manufactures and installs custom outdoor fabric shade structures throughout the Valley. With more…

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