Category Archives: e-Brief Features

STISD & TSTC Partner for Welding Program

e-Brief Features Education Manufacturing/Industrial News Comments
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.

e-Brief Features Education News Comments
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

e-Brief Features Government News Comments
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

Community e-Brief Features Featured Healthcare News Non-Profit Comments
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

e-Brief Features Manufacturing/Industrial News Comments
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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RGV LEAD Connects Industry and Educational Leaders

Community Events e-Brief Features Education Featured News Comments
RGV LEAD

Linking Economic and Academic Development (RGV LEAD) will host the State of Education and Industry on Sept. 24, providing a platform for collaboration, discussion of Valley-area current and future workforce needs, and a showcase of partnerships that have a direct impact on students’ upward mobility. For more than 30 years, RGV LEAD has connected industry and educational leaders to address the workforce demands of the Rio Grande Valley. Our mission…

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STC Foundation To Host Annual Gala

e-Brief Features Education Events News Comments
Foundation Chair Bonnie Gonzalez addresses STC sponsors and donors during last year's inaugural Foundation Gala. (photo STC)

Since the inception of the South Texas College Foundation last year, it has given back nearly $500,000 to students in scholarships and funds to help create a college-going culture, especially among first-generation students, thanks to community sponsors and donors. With its second annual Foundation Gala on Oct. 16, the nonprofit organization is on the hunt for sponsors and donors at all levels, to help make this year’s event a success.…

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UTRGV Ranked No. 1 Texas University Again

e-Brief Features Education News Comments
UTRGV

For the second consecutive year, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has been recognized as the No. 1 university in Texas, according to the latest Washington Monthly college guide and rankings. Recognized as a top-performing institution of higher education in the state among all institutions – private and public – UTRGV took the lead in the 2024 rankings. Texas A&M University came in second and Rice University, third. “We…

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BCIC Scores Five More International Accolades

Community e-Brief Features News Comments
Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation

The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation is the recipient of five prestigious awards from the 2024 International Economic Development Council Excellence Awards. With these additional awards, BCIC is now the most awarded economic development organization in Rio Grande Valley history. BCIC will receive recognition at the IEDC 2024 Annual Conference in Denver, Colo. taking place Sept. 15-18. The Excellence in Economic Development Awards program covered 26 categories, scored by 163 judges.…

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MFE Sets Record-Breaking Passenger Activity

e-Brief Features Featured News Transportation & Travel Comments
McAllen International Airport

McAllen International Airport set an all-time total traveler record for July in 2024 with 114,694 total passengers, an 8.7 percent increase over the previous record set in June 2024. Overall traffic in 2024 has increased 23 percent year over year, with 70 percent more flights since same time in 2023. “McAllen International Airport has set records in four of the past five years, however this year we have taken it…

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