Category Archives: Industry

STC Students to Earn Google IT Certificates

Education Featured News Technology Comments
A $10,000 grant by Jobs for the Future will allow STC students in the CITP program to complete a Google IT Support Professional Certificate.

South Texas College students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the Computer and Information Technologies Program will soon have the opportunity to improve their ability for employment in the IT industry with a Google IT Support Professional Certificate. A $10,000 grant by Jobs for the Future allows those pursing a bachelor’s degree in the CITP program the opportunity to also complete a the certificate program. “The certificate impacts students by creating…

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TWC Grant Benefits Local Advanced Skills Training

Education Featured Manufacturing/Industrial News Comments
TWC’s Skills Development Fund will provide $332,042 in funding to train 181 new and incumbent workers in the advanced manufacturing industry.

A recent $332,042 grant from the Texas Workforce Commission to South Texas College will continue to provide customized training to the workforce for local industry partners. TWC’s Skills Development Fund will provide funding to train 181 new and incumbent workers in advanced manufacturing. “We are committed to fostering long-term sustained economic growth by providing superior workforce training programs to local business and industry partners,” said South Texas College Associate Dean of…

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Port of Brownsville Excels Amid Challenge

Featured Manufacturing/Industrial News Comments
Port of Brownsville

The Port of Brownsville ranks third among U.S. ports for “strong financial resilience” surveyed in a new report from Moody’s Investor Services. The ranking underscores the ongoing value of the port’s prudent financial stewardship in light of economic impacts from the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Moody’s analysis evaluated American ports on a range of key factors surrounding financial responsibility. This includes the ability to handle the impact of a significant decline…

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Keppel AmFELS Readies Delivery

e-Brief Features Manufacturing/Industrial News Comments
Delivery of the M/V George III to Pasha Hawaii from Keppel AmFELS is scheduled for this summer.

The construction of two 774-foot-long container ships for Pasha Hawaii continues on schedule at the Port of Brownsville. On June 5, Keppel AmFELS hosted a presentation and tour for port and city of Brownsville officials. Here, they presented an update of construction for the M/V George III and the M/V Janet Marie. Delivery of the M/V George III to Pasha is set for this summer. The twin U.S. Jones Act…

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Independence Day Brings New Island Celebration

Community Community Events e-Brief Features Featured News Recreation & Tourism Comments
The Cameron County Amphitheater and Event Center in South Padre Island will be host to the first annual Red, White and Beach Festival July 3-4.

On June 26, following the Governor’s announcement, the Fourth of July Fireworks show on South Padre Island has been canceled.  The first annual Red, White and Beach Festival takes place place July 3-4 at the Amphitheater and Event Center on South Padre Island. According to promoters, the event will be “the largest celebration of our Independence Day on the Island.” The festival will feature surprise artists as well as the legendary INTOCABLE…

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Edinburg Economic Development Department Board Forms

Featured Government News Comments
Former Rep. Verónica Gonzáles is one of seven members now on the board of directors for the newly-created Edinburg Economic Development Department. (photo Paul Chouy)

The new Edinburg Economic Development Department now has a seven-member board of directors after appointments by the Edinburg City Council. The board consists of a former state representative, three previous members of the Edinburg EDC board of directors and three other prominent area leaders. The Edinburg Economic Development Department takes over the duties of the Edinburg EDC. The Edinburg EDC every year received millions from the city’s one-half cent sales…

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Port of Brownsville Awards High School Graduates Scholarships

e-Brief Features Giving Back Manufacturing/Industrial News Comments
Port of Brownsville scholarships

Thirty-two local high school graduating seniors will receive $1,000 scholarships from the Brownsville Navigation District. The inaugural Port of Brownsville program helps deserving students pursue their education and career dreams. “On behalf of the entire Port of Brownsville organization, we are proud to support these local students and families at this time,” said John Reed, chairman of the Brownsville Navigation District. “We are excited for the students as they continue…

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San Benito Pharmacy Recommits to Community

Healthcare News Comments
Smiles and great customer service are the rule of thumb at the Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy of San Benito. (Courtesy)

David Garza opened his San Benito pharmacy on April 1, 1980. That same day, his wife Dorothy gave birth to their first child.  It’s 40 years later and The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy endures. The landmark anniversary has been met by a worldwide pandemic in the spring of 2020. The COVID-19 virus has put a dent in the longstanding community pharmacy. It perseveres, however, under the primary watch of a second…

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Lone Star Steps Up To Help

Finance/Banking News Comments
Restaurants like this one in Brownsville are the type of businesses that applied for SBA emergency loans. (VBR)

Lone Star National Bank President David Deanda knew he and his staff had the challenge of a banking lifetime before them.  The outbreak of COVID-19 had brought the South Texas economy to a sudden and shocking halt. Small businesses in the Rio Grande Valley were soon desperate for help. The federal government offered two lifelines. One was the Paycheck Protection Program. The other was the Economic Injury Disaster program.  Both…

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Containing COVID Is Key To Economic Recovery

Finance/Banking News Comments
Restaurants and retailing have been hurt badly by COVID-19 outbreak and business shutdowns. (VBR)

The Rio Grande Valley’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis will be prolonged. It could take 12-to-18 months, at the minimum, said leading bankers and economic development specialists. They say the recovery from the widespread business shutdowns this spring will stretch well into 2021. Recovery will also be dependent on one key factor. “It’s all going to depend on how we contain COVID,” said David Deanda, the president of Lone…

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