Pitaya Farms growing in Raymondville Exotic in looks and name, dragon fruit is grown on structures similar to those found in vineyards. Chuck Taylor, owner of Pitaya Farms of Texas LLC, west of Raymondville, said dragon fruit is actually the domesticated version of the pitaya, a native cactus which originated in Mexico and central America and was transported to Asia, where it acquired the dragon fruit label. Pitaya Farms harvested…
Local towing helps when bad things happen When bad things happen on the highway or in your driveway, towing companies and roadside assistance services arrive on the scene with solutions to the problem. Whether clearing an accident site or jumpstarting a car, whether summoned by you, your motorist assistance plan or law enforcement, towing companies must respond rapidly round the clock with the right equipment and personnel. Some of these…
Denham production runs extensive Can there be a better DBA than Denimburg for the Edinburg plant which anticipates producing 11 million yards of denim in 2017? The ultra-automated factory is on its way to becoming the largest denim manufacturer in the United States. Claudio Motta, plant manager for the facility owned by Santana Textiles of Brazil, started a tour of the ultra-automated factory in Denimburg’s fabric showroom. “Here we try…
Vocational schools Lead to career paths Individuals who want skilled jobs and technical training without taking the academic courses required by South Texas College, Texas State Technical College and Southmost College can enroll at Rio Grande Valley’s privately owned vocational schools. Providing no nonsense, adult-focused education, the proprietary school courses that focus on healthcare jobs prepare students for careers in vocational nursing, massage therapy, dental assisting and medical office skills.…
Cards and comics among offerings in McAllen There was a time where Topps had the baseball card market locked up. The same can be said for DC and Marvel comic books. It was a time when a young boy or girl would wait anxiously for the next Spider Man edition to appear on the stands or opening that pack of cards maybe meant completing the set. That entire landscape has…
The 110,000-plus Winter Texans who migrate to the Valley for two to six months each year represent an economic bonanza for the region. These visitors help keep everyone’s taxes lower and support expanded retail. McAllen alone collects $35.4 million in local retail sales tax from visitors (including Mexican nationals). Winter Texans shop and eat out frequently, visit attractions, and pay for repairs or upgrades on their RVs. A significant portion…
McAllen-Miller Airport this year has finally captured the majority market share of Rio Grande Valley air passengers. Double digit growth in the last two years propelled the urban airport to the 50% mark, according to Director of Aviation Elizabeth Suarez. “The trend overall is growth on existing routes. It’s great for passengers,” she said. Several critical elements have converged to position the airport for strong growth and satisfied, repeat travelers.…
When you need to get away and relax in a big way, the Westin La Cantera Resort in San Antonio works magic that makes the busy world go away. Perched on a hill overlooking San Antonio, the luxurious resort welcomes guests to a haven with no obligations, no time tables. The Hill Country oasis exudes an atmosphere of welcome and relaxation from its main building, modeled on the King Ranch’s…
At Elliff Motors, great-grandsons of Luther Elliff are now working in the used car dealership he founded in 1944. For over 60 years, the slogan “Everybody drives a used car” has kept an upmarket spin on Elliff’s pre-owned vehicles. Each generation of the Elliffs appears to have the gene that makes them avid car dealers, who seem to have a good time while they’re working. “Some families don’t get along…
After 15 years of success in Mexico, logistics company president Carlos Canales has expanded the Trancasa brand to the United States. Trancasa USA began operations in Pharr six months ago and now offers its customers freight transportation from Mexico and the Rio Grande Valley to cities across Texas, including Dallas, Houston and Laredo. Since the formation of Trancasa in 1994, the company has grown to a fleet of over 300…