Category Archives: e-Brief Features

Weslaco Chamber Names Board Chair

Luis Reyes

Luis Reyes is the new Weslaco Chamber of Commerce board chair for the 2018-2019 fiscal year. Reyes is the communications manager for Magic Valley Electrical Cooperative, a role in which he has served since 2011. “The chance to serve our members and the Weslaco business community is a task I’m excited and eager to take on,” said Reyes. “Weslaco is the epicenter of so much growth and economic development, it’s important…

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Free Financial Workshops Grow Small Businesses

Free financial education, which includes both small business and personal finance, starts Oct. 19 in Edinburg with PeopleFund’s “Financial Education Friday.” The series of free classes take also takes place Oct. 26 and Nov. 16. Held under BBVA Compass Center’s Pilot Program, the series is held at PeopleFund offices in Edinburg, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston. The Edinburg office is located at 300 S. Closner Blvd. Ste. 1. Session topics and…

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Farm Grant Program Offers Up to $30K

farm grant

National produce distributor PRO*ACT invites qualifying local farms to apply for up to $30,000 from their grant program, Cultivating Change. The program offers a total of $85,000 to farms looking to fund new and innovative projects, The application process is currently open through Dec. 15. Afterwards, a group of industry professionals will conduct a panel review, while the general public votes on their favorites. Both voting and panel review will…

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TWC Grant Funds Medical Training

The Workforce Development and Continuing Education department at Texas State Technical College, in partnership with Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, is the recipient of a Skills Development Fund grant for customized job training. The $301,238 Texas Workforce Commission grant currently provides technical skills training for 155 Valley Baptist Medical Center employees. Customized raining will continue for one year for positions such as certified nursing assistants, registered nurses and nurse managers. The training focuses…

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Rio Grande LNG On Track

Rio Grande LNG

Rio Grande LNG recently announced a major milestone that puts the project on track to receive federal authorization in July 2019 to proceed with construction. This timing is based on the Notice of Schedule released Aug. 31 by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The federal agency reviews and permits all liquefied natural gas projects in the United States. This Notice of Schedule sets the dates for the final steps leading…

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INNO Highlights Impact of Future Workforce

South Texas College held its sixth annual INNO Conference dedicated to the discussion of preparing students for the workforce and jobs of the future. (photo STC)

It is urgent students are ready for jobs of the future. According to those speaking at INNO at STC, now more than ever, college graduates with real-world experience are needed for even the most entry level of jobs. Last week, INNO, STC’s sixth annual Binational Innovation Conference, welcomed those in industry, education and economic development. Each brought information focused on innovation as well as the impact of students on the…

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Culture Reflects Leadership

There is a saying in counseling circles that goes like this: Every happy family is happy in the same ways; every dysfunctional family is dysfunctional in its own unique way. While this is vast generalization, it is something that can be applied to organizations as well. When you look at successful organizations, there are some things these organizations do well: Clear vision and mission; strong, effective communications throughout the organization;…

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Local, Healthy Eating is Made

photo courtesy of Made. Chef Prepared Meals To Go

Making smart, healthy dietary choices is challenging when combined with modern, fast-paced, hectic work schedules. With the usual fast food options, it’s difficult to make consistent, nutritious choices while trying to follow a meal plan. Imagine a meal delivery service, with expertly created, restaurant-quality weekly meal plans, prepared by a certified executive chef. For the Rio Grande Valley, this is a local reality via Made. Chef Prepared Meals To Go,…

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TWC Grant at Work in Cameron

Thanks to Skills for Small Business grants from the Texas Workforce Commission, Workforce Development and Continuing Education at Texas State Technical College are working with local small businesses in Cameron County to help them have the trained personnel they need. The grants total $156,000 provide both professional training and development among small businesses. This will continue into 2019 training from TSTC which has helped more than a dozen small businesses since 2016.…

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Grindstone Opens McAllen Location

Grindstone Coworking will open its new McAllen office space this month at the intersection of 10th street and Trenton Road at Trenton View Plaza. The location is open to remote workers, freelancers and small business owners in the Rio Grande Valley. Grindstone is now accepting membership applications and pre-leasing for private office suites. It is also offering an Early Bird Special available exclusively to the first 20 members to sign up.…

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