For the third straight year, Foreign Trade Zone No. 62 at the Port of Brownsville ranks second in the nation for the value of exports. The figures come from the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones Board’s annual report to Congress released Dec. 12. The port’s FTZ reported more than $3.5 billion in exported goods in 2017. Additionally, FTZ No. 62 ranks 18th nationally for the value of imports totaling more than $3.6…
West Plains LLC is the recipient of the Port of Brownsville’s 2018 Chairman’s Award. The award recognizes both the company’s investments and rehabilitation efforts of the port’s iconic grain elevator. Presentation of the award came Dec. 4 at the port’s annual customer appreciation luncheon. More than 200 guests were witness to the award presentation by Brownsville Navigation District Chairman John Reed. Among those in attendance were local, regional and state public…
The U.S. Small Business Administration has appointed Justin Crossie as the regional administrator for SBA’s Region VI, which includes the Lower Rio Grande Valley District. Crossie now leads 10 district office directors, serving more than 3.8 million small businesses. Offices under his direction are in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Crossie will lead the delivery of SBA’s financial, entrepreneurial development, government contracting and international export initiatives. He will also head…
Bringing emerging technology into the hands of its students, Texas State Technical College will be implementing HoloLens Mixed Reality into its curriculum as early as next year. Students will strap on a Microsoft HoloLens to see 3D computer graphics shown on top of the real-world classroom environment. “There is nothing as powerful as using HoloLens for educating our students,” said TSTC Senior Vice President of Student Learning Hector Yanez. “This is…
McAllen’s advanced manufacturing sector has received a boost thanks to a $259,440 job-training grant to South Texas College. Funds from the McAllen Development Corporation grant will provide customized training, as well as equipment, salaries and supplies. All aspects will come from STC’s Institute for Advanced Manufacturing. “We need to put in place training opportunities and high-quality training so that we have the most competitive and best prepared workforce in the country which will attract companies to…
The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce recently held its 86th annual awards banquet with more than 150 local business and community leaders in attendance. Receiving recognition were the 2018 Man and Woman of the Year Robert and Janet Vackar of Bert Ogden Auto Group. “We want to thank the Vackars for their endless efforts not only to the Edinburg community but to the entire Rio Grande Valley,” said Interim Executive Director Ronnie Larralde.…
Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 3.7 percent in October, down from 3.8 percent in September 2018. This is the lowest level since the state unemployment data series began in January 1976. In addition, the Brownsville-Harlingen MSA fell to 5.2 percent, down .7 from September and .8 from October 2017. McAllen-Ediburg Mission also posted low numbers at 5.5 percent. This is down from 6.2 percent in September and 5.9 percent…
The oil and gas industry in Texas is leading the nation. But just how is this booming industry powering the Rio Grande Valley? Statewide leaders, local representatives and industry advocates will answer this question and more at the Texas Oil and Gas Association Energy Summit Dec. 5 in Pharr. Speakers are set to address how important the industry in the region is to community success. The luncheon and discussion will…
The future economics between the United States and Mexico will be very interesting. All eyes will be on future trade relations, especially after Dec. 1 due to incoming president Andres Manuel Lopez. With current rocky trade relations between the United States and China, Mexico has plenty to gain under the new NAFTA terms. On Nov. 9, Duncan Wood, director of the Wilson Center’s Mexico Institute, spoke at the McAllen Performing…
A limited amount of spots are open for the upcoming Kauffman FastTrac starting in January in South Padre Island. The NewVenture program provides tools to both develop business concepts and successfully launch a business. To be held at the Port Isabel Events and Cultural Center as well as the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center, the seven sessions encompass facilitated instruction. Students in the program identify market needs, understand business…