Category Archives: Industry

5X5 “Bombshells” Into H-E-B

Brunette Bombshell

“Brunette Bombshell” from Mission-based 5×5 Brewing Co. is now available at seven Rio Grande Valley H-E-B stores. It is the brewery’s first beer to enter the retail market. The Mission EDC, in an announcement, says the release is made possible through an exclusive partnership with L&F Distributors. As the largest distributing brewery in the area, 5×5 Brewing Co. is one of a number of businesses receiving Mission EDC support over…

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Entrepreneur Finds Inspiration In Faith 

The Milagros are pinned to crosses, religious statues, hearts and other forms, and each charm symbolizes a specific request of saints.

Mari Rodriguez accepted a job with Central Power and Light and moved to the Rio Grande Valley in 1994. She thought it would be only for a year. Her plan did not include meeting a pharmacist from San Antonio named Cecilio who had also moved to the Valley. Mari would not return to Corpus Christi, where she lived previously. Mari and Cecilio would walk down the aisle. The couple then…

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Kick Off the Year With a First Day Hike

Mother Neff State Park, one of Texas’ earliest state parks, is one of many open for a First Day Hike. (photo TPWD)

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is encouraging Texans to “start the new year in nature” with a First Day Hike at a Texas state park. Citizens can walk, bike or paddle their way into 2021 on a First Day Hike at 89 Texas state parks. First Day Hikes at Texas’ state parks aim to help visitors commit to their New Year’s resolutions to get healthy. Last year, 5,242 visitors…

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TaskUs To Create Hundreds of Local Jobs

TaskUs

A leading tech-enabled business services company, TaskUs, will be opening a new location in 2021 in Harlingen, bringing with it hundreds of jobs. The San Antonio-based company delivers CX, AI operations and content security to companies. “We are very excited for TaskUs to finally land and join our business community in Harlingen,” said Mayor Chris Boswell. “TaskUs’s award-winning, people-first culture, and their great employee perks and benefits are groundbreaking. We…

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Shop Island Businesses to Win

Shop the Island

In a time when it is even more imperative to shop local small businesses comes the South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce‘s “Shop the Island” initiative through Dec. 27. For every $20 spent with all Island businesses, shoppers may register for a $500 shopping spree. Many businesses are open for outdoor shopping opportunities. Every dollar spent locally also ensures a healthy and growing South Padre Island economy. Original receipts may…

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Port of Brownsville Recognizes Keppel AmFELS

Mohd Sahlan Bin Salleh receives the 2020 Chairman’s Award from Sergio Tito Lopez.

Keppel AmFELS is the recipient of the Port of Brownsville’s with its 2020 Chairman’s Award. The award recognizes Keppel AmFELS’s work reintroducing shipbuilding to both the state of Texas and Brownsville. Brownsville Navigation District Chairman Sergio Tito Lopez presented the award to Mohd Sahlan Bin Salleh, president and CEO of Keppel AmFELS, on Dec. 3. Keppel’s work has helped build the ship building industry locally, bringing approximately 1,400 full-time jobs…

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VIDA Offers Paid Electrician Program

VIDA Executive Director Priscilla Alvarez and Director of Workforce Development Isidro Ramos

The Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement is offering to pay tuition, tools and books for the Commercial Electrician Program beginning Jan. 11. Classes will take place in McAllen and Brownsville. According to VIDA, with this training, anyone with construction or electrician experience will be closer to gaining their electrician license.  For individuals with no experience, the program will get them on a career path to achieve the Journeyman License.…

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TSC Nursing Receives Nursing Innovation Grant

TSC Nursing program students will have a greater opportunity of training virtually thanks to a Nursing Innovation Grant.

The Associate Degree of Nursing program at Texas Southmost College will soon be able to increase its training opportunities thanks to a Nursing Innovation Grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. TSC’s nursing program is one of 45 nursing programs throughout the state to receive this grant. The $75,000 grant will support clinical learning experiences. It will also support the program’s use of evidence-based alternatives to hands-on practice with patients.…

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Salvation Army Rings In Holiday Cheer & Help

The iconic red kettles of the Salvation Army and their greeters ringing Christmas bells by store entrances will continue through the challenges of an eventful 2020 – with added precautions. The kettles will be frequently wiped down with disinfectant to keep them clean. The volunteers will also be trained to keep themselves and others safe. Both the Christmas cheer and services of the Salvation Army will continue, no matter the…

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Efforts To Fully Open Bridges Fall Short 

Vehicular and pedestrian traffic across the Progreso International Bridge and other spans has been limited in 2020.

McAllen Mayor Jim Darling recently made a suggestion in advocating for fully reopening international bridges. The border, he said, could have a temporary move to the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint near Falfurrias. Darling made the suggestion somewhat in jest and out of frustration that he and other Rio Grande Valley leaders have been unable to open the crossings to non-essential travel. “It didn’t go over too well with some folks,”…

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