Category Archives: e-Brief Features

RGV Banker Elected To State Association Board 

e-Brief Features Featured Finance/Banking News Comments
Ricky Leal

An executive with First Community Bank has been elected to the board of directors of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas. Ricky Leal, the senior vice president/commercial lending for First Community, was selected during the organization’s recent virtual annual convention. Leal joined First Community 15 years ago as a commercial lender before rising to serve on the company’s executive team. First Community is the only bank company of its type…

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McAllen to Host First Public Event Post-COVID

Community Events e-Brief Features Featured News Comments
Scenes from Fiesta de Palmas in 2019. (City of McAllen photo)

The City of McAllen is planning to host its first major public event since the beginnings of COVID-19 when it stages the annual Fiesta de Palmas early next month. Fiesta de Palmas celebrates the cultural heritage of border communities and highlights McAllen as an international city with strong ties to Mexico. This year’s event will be modified to fit the current era with an emphasis on social distancing. Drive-through, curbside…

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McAllen Ranks in Top for Quality of Life

Community e-Brief Features News Comments
McAllen Convention Center (photo McAllen.net/City of McAllen)

McAllen now ranks third in the nation for Best Places to Live for Quality of Life in the U.S. in 2020-2021 by U.S. News & World Report. The ranking reflects resident satisfaction with their daily lives by metro area. U.S. News analyzed 150 metro areas’ quality of life, job market, value of living and people’s desire to live there. “This ranking is no surprise to anyone who lives in our…

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TSC Unveils New ITECC Training Facilities

e-Brief Features Education Featured News Comments
TSC Board of Trustees Chairwoman Adela G. Garza, right center, and Workforce Solutions Cameron Executive Director Pat Hobbs, left center, celebrate the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Construction Trades Center.

Texas Southmost College recently unveiled four new training facilities at the TSC International Technology, Education and Commerce Center during a ceremony at the center’s Central Plaza. The multi-million-dollar buildout includes program training centers for welding, construction trades and criminal justice, as well as industrial mechanics and maintenance technology. “This was an exciting day for TSC and the communities we serve,” said TSC President Jesus Roberto Rodriguez. “These new facilities are…

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Pharr Celebrates Start of Produce Season

Agriculture e-Brief Features Events News Comments

City of Pharr officials and Pharr International Bridge leaders recently celebrated the start of the 2020-2021 Produce Season. Also attending the bi-annual celebration at the bridge were produce growers, importers, distributors, and consumers from the United States and Mexico “The Pharr International Bridge is the heart and soul of Pharr for economic development,” said Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez. “We are especially proud of the hard work of our bridge staff…

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MVEC Establishes TSTC Electrical Lineworker Scholarship 

e-Brief Features Giving Back News Comments

Magic Valley Electric Cooperative recently gave $20,000 to the TSTC Foundation for scholarships in Texas State Technical College’s Electrical Lineworker Technology program. The funds will benefit deserving students who one day hope to become part of the lineworker industry. “The funding will enable us to help TSTC in its work to prepare students for the workforce now and in the future,” said TSTC Senior Field Development Officer Richard Mesquias. “This…

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Arroyo Trail Expanding Its Reach In Harlingen

e-Brief Features Featured News Recreation & Tourism Comments
Harlingen’s network of trails seeks to link parks, retail centers and the Texas State Technical College.

Harlingen is extending its most popular hike-and-bike trail from the Arroyo Colorado to Dixieland Park as the city works to expand its trails master plan. The 1.6-mile extension along the banks of the Arroyo Colorado will be the first trail addition in five years. It will take the trail from its current end adjacent to Boggus Ford along Expressway 77/83 and wind it near the Tony Butler Golf Course. It…

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Army Vet Feels Secure on Path to Success

Community e-Brief Features Education News Comments
Bardo Rubio

When Bardo Rubio completed his commitment to the U.S. Army, he enlisted in the Army Reserve. He knew he would need to do more than work one weekend a month to achieve his life goals. During the summer of 2018, shortly after he returned from active duty, Rubio encountered two Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement employees promoting the agency’s services at South Texas College. Rubio, who wanted to go…

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Edinburg Chamber Announces Board

Community e-Brief Features News Comments
Veronica Gonzales

Veronica Gonzales now heads up the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce as president of the board for 2020-2021. Gonzales is the vice president for Governmental and Community Relations at the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley. “As the incoming President of the Board, I look forward to continuing my work with the chamber to advance commerce and quality of life to Edinburg,” said Gonzales. Gonzales first joined the board in…

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RGV Moves Forward in Re-Opening

Community e-Brief Features Featured News Comments

Certain businesses in Rio Grande Valley counties are now at higher occupancy levels with the region joining much of the state which were already benefiting from Order GA-30 from Gov. Greg Abbott Sept. 17. The Valley was one of three areas of Texas not allowed to move forward then due to COVID-19 patient caseloads. Abbott’s relaxed occupancy standards in September allow many sectors of the community to open to 75…

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