Category Archives: e-Brief Features

Registration Open for Pharr Veterans Day Parade

Registration is now open for the City of Pharr Salute to Veteran’s Parade and Fireworks Show taking place on Nov. 9. The community celebration honors veterans and their service to our country. Local businesses, organizations and individuals may join the parade by registering online. All entries are welcome and early registration is encouraged. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. in Downtown Pharr (200 S. Cage Blvd.). The festivities will kick…

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McAllen Chamber to Honor 2024 Man & Woman of the Year

Roel "Roy" Rodriguez and Natasha A. Del Barrio

McAllen Chamber of Commerce will honor Roel “Roy” Rodriguez and Natasha A. Del Barrio at the 69th Annual Man & Woman of the Year Awards on Nov. 7 at the McAllen Convention Center. Since 1955, the McAllen Chamber has honored two exceptional individuals each year, recognizing their outstanding contributions and commitment to the City of McAllen. Roel “Roy” Rodriguez With more than 35 years of public service, Rodriguez holds an…

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McAllen Ranks in Best U.S. Cities for Small Businesses

In a new report from CoworkingCafe, McAllen ranks nine in the top 20 best places for small businesses nationwide. CoworkingCafe analyzed 136 cities across 11 key metrics such as GDP growth, number of business applications, labor costs and more.  “This recognition as one of the best cities in the U.S. for small business speaks to the strength of our local economy and the hard work of our entrepreneurs,” said McAllen Mayor…

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UTRGV Named ‘2024 Great College to Work For’

UTRGV

UTRGV is one of the best places to work in higher education, according to the prestigious Great Colleges to Work For program. The results are based on a survey of 216 colleges and universities. Only 75 institutions achieved “Great College to Work For” recognition for specific best practices and policies, placing UTRGV among a select group of top-performing schools in the country. UTRGV competes in the large university (more than…

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McAllen Police Department Seeks Officers

McAllen Police Department

The McAllen Police Department is looking to hire motivated individuals who desire a career in public safety and want to make a difference in their community as police officers. Individuals looking for an opportunity to earn a competitive salary with benefits and are able to perform at a professional level should apply at the City of McAllen website. Benefits include a retirement system, paid holidays, paid vacation and sick leave,…

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STISD & TSTC Partner for Welding Program

TSTC Welding Technology

Thanks to a new partnership, high school students from South Texas Independent School District’s Science Academy in Mercedes can now participate in a dual credit program in Welding Technology with Texas State Technical College. “The dual credit program pairs well with our hands-on approach to the engineering program of study,” said Vanessa Rivera, the school district’s career and technical education director. “We encourage our students to learn and earn stackable credentials…

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TSTC Electrical Lineworker Program Ranks Best in U.S.

TSTC Electrical Lineworker program

According to College Factual, Texas State Technical College has the Best Lineworker Associate Degree School in the United States for 2024.  College Factual, according to its website, was created to help students research colleges and careers. It gathers data from public and private sources, including the U.S. Department of Education.  “TSTC’s Abilene campus is home to the newest Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology program, offering students a top-tier education with…

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McAllen Hires New Finance Director

David R. Vasquez

The City of McAllen has hired David R. Vasquez as its new director of finance. The Rio Grande Valley native has 13 years of experience in municipal work, serving most recently as the finance director for the City of Donna. Vasquez has a broad range of expertise in finance, including both serving as a senior finance analyst for Valley Baptist Health System and an accounting supervisor for Amigos del Valle…

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VIDA Helps Create New Life for Mom of Six

Clarissa Magaña

When friends of Weslaco resident Clarissa Magaña told her about the Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement, her goal suddenly seemed more viable. Acceptance into VIDA would allow her to obtain the degree she always wanted. Earning an associate degree in nursing would also be an important lesson for this single mother’s six children. Already a licensed vocational nurse, Magaña longed to return to school to become a registered nurse. …

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Port’s FTZ Ranks Top 3 in Exports Nationwide

The Port of Brownsville’s Foreign Trade Zone No. 62 (photo Port of Brownsville)

In its 85th Annual Report of the Foreign-Trade Zones Board to Congress, published Aug. 28, the Port of Brownsville’s FTZ No. 62 ranked third in the nation marking a 12-year-consecutive streak the value of exports at $7 billion. For the first time, FTZ No. 62 broke through the Top 20 list for the value of imports, ranking 14th with $3.2 billion worth of commodities imported. “Our foreign trade zone is an…

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