Category Archives: e-Brief Features

Pharr EDC, LiftFund Launch New Small Business Program

Business Advice e-Brief Features News Comments

The Pharr Economic Development Corporation has partnered with LiftFund to launch of its new small business program providing local small businesses in Pharr with assistance and debt relief. LiftFund’s mission is to provide credit and services to small businesses and entrepreneurs who do not have access to loans from commercial sources and to provide leadership and innovation to the micro-lending industry. Since its founding, the organization has provided over $287…

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IMAS Partners with McAllen ISD for Summer Feeding Program

Community e-Brief Features News Comments
(photo IMAS)

The International Museum of Art & Science is participating in the McAllen ISD’s Summer Feeding Program. McAllen ISD’s annual Summer Feeding Program serves free, nutritious meals at participating feeding sites to children 18 years of age and under this summer. Children do not have to be a McAllen ISD student to participate in the program. Meals will be provided at several sites across McAllen, many of them twice per day,…

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Mission EDC to Host Inaugural ‘Tesla Takeover’

Community Events e-Brief Features News Transportation & Travel Comments
2023 Tesla Takeover

The Mission Economic Development Corporation will host 2023 Tesla Takeover, the Rio Grande Valley’s first Tesla car show and tech expo, on July 1. The day marks the 20th anniversary of the company’s founding. The event will also mark the first time that Tesla drivers gather for a festival-style car show in South Texas. The Takeover takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Center for Education and…

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McAllen Asks Citizen Ideas For Future Parks

e-Brief Features News Recreation & Tourism Comments
McAllen Nature Center

The City of McAllen will be updating the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan and would like community input as to how to develop McAllen’s parks and recreation areas. The original Parks & Recreation Master Plan was created in 2018 and since, the City of McAllen has accomplished many of the the goals outlined in that document. The city says it is now time to move forward with the…

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IMAS Offers Free Military Admission

Arts e-Brief Features News Comments

The International Museum of Art & Science is part of museums nationwide in the Blue Star Museums initiative, a program that provides free admission to currently-serving U.S. military personnel and their families this summer. The 2023 program began on Armed Forces Day and will end on Labor Day, Sept. 4. Blue Star Museums is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with…

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U.S. Chamber Recognizes Top Small Businesses

Business Advice e-Brief Features News Comments

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is recognizing the very best in American small business. Beginning this year, its newly reimagined America’s Top Small Business Awards (formerly Dream Big Awards) will honor the achievements of small businesses and highlight their contributions to America’s economic growth. The winner of America’s Top Small Business 2023 will receive national recognition and a $25,000 cash prize. Additional non-cash prizes, including prizes for finalists, are online. To…

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Texas Labor Force and Number Employed Reach Record Highs

e-Brief Features News Comments
labor force

Texas is once again eclipsing records for the largest civilian labor force and greatest number of people employed in state history. The state achieved 26 consecutive months of growth in total nonfarm employment in April 2023. The seasonally adjusted civilian labor force increased by 62,184 to reach a series-high 14,960,308 people, while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.0 percent. Texas added 33,300 positions to reach another series-high job count…

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TPWD Urges Boaters to “Clean, Drain and Dry”

e-Brief Features News Recreation & Tourism Comments
Zebra mussels

Memorial Day weekend is here, meaning Texans will be heading out to the water for holiday celebrations. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department urges boaters and paddlers who enjoy water recreation to do their part to protect Texas lakes from aquatic invasive species. “Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kick-off to boating season in Texas, and while we want everyone to have a great time, we also want them to…

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Long, Winding Road Leads To A New VIDA

Community e-Brief Features Featured News Comments
Marvelia Saldana

Sometimes a path is straight and narrow; other times it can be winding, making the journey longer but allowing us to see sites and have experiences we would otherwise have missed. Such was the path for Brownsville resident Marvelia Saldana. Being a military wife meant “bouncing around from one state to another,” according to Saldana. With four small children, she didn’t have the time — or, likely, the energy —…

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World’s Largest Green Hydrogen Hub Will Boost Economy

Community e-Brief Features News Comments
green hydrogen production and storage

South Texas has always played a critical role in supporting our state’s economy and our critical energy production and transportation capabilities. Now, the recent announcement that Green Hydrogen International is planning to develop the world’s largest green hydrogen production and storage hub in Texas will help us continue to create a stronger, more sustainable and truly 21st-century economy. This exciting new development will show the world that Texas is not just…

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