Category Archives: e-Brief Features

The Texas economy added 39,600 seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs in April, which marked 22 consecutive months of employment growth. Over the year, Texas added 332,300 jobs for an annual employment growth rate of 2.7 percent in April. Private sector employers added 37,900 positions over the month. Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in April, up slightly from 4.0 percent in March. “Texas employers continue to boost the impressive…

Edinburg EDC Seeks Logo Design

May 24, 2018

VBR

Edinburg EDC is currently accepting submissions for a new visual identity from Edinburg students and residents. The professional logo design should be recognizable and promote the EDC’s community mission to ” promote economic growth in the Edinburg EDC and South Texas through the attraction of new innovative commerce, retaining and preserving our existing businesses by providing the resources that support successful business and quality of life for the citizens of…

New UTRGV Doctorate Program Approved

May 24, 2018

VBR

e-Brief Features Education Healthcare Comments

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has received approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to establish a new degree program for a Doctor of Philosophy degree in clinical psychology. The new PhD program will focus on producing clinical psychology scientist-practitioners with knowledge about Hispanic cultures in the Rio Grande Valley and the United States. “Providing new educational opportunities for the students of the Rio Grande Valley is…

The Valley is Blessed

May 17, 2018

Matt Ruszczak

Business Advice e-Brief Features Featured News Comments

Full disclosure upfront: I am an unabashed fan of the Rio Grande Valley and our neighboring communities on the southern bank of the Rio Grande. Even more disclosure: As the executive director serving the members of the Rio South Texas Economic Council, I get paid to be a cheerleader for our region. Yet those who’ve known me for a while can attest that my enthusiasm for our sunny corner of…

BCIC Offers Economic Development Grants

May 10, 2018

VBR

e-Brief Features Government News Non-Profit Comments

Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation is seeking nonprofit and city partners to partner with to promote economic development. BCIC looks to promote the development through the BCIC Partnership Grants which focus on community development projects. Both nonprofit organizations and city departments are the focus of the grants. By design, the awards engage in the necessary community development needed to promote economic development opportunities. Through the grants, the BCIC will supplement up to $5,000…

Does Your Nonprofit Need a Website?

May 10, 2018

VBR

e-Brief Features Events Featured News Non-Profit Technology Comments

Local nonprofits in need of a website may apply until May 27 to have a WordPress website created specifically for them. The charity hackaton do_action takes place June 22-23, allowing the RGV community to create websites for local nonprofit organizations. Created by CodeRGV and the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, the hackathon, providing five nonprofits with completed websites. The 24-hour event will be a platform for participants to works as teams, bringing unique…

Groups Focus on Voices of Local Business

May 3, 2018

VBR

e-Brief Features Events News Comments

Local business owners are invited to share with a national non-profit their needs, challenges and views of doing business in the Rio Grande Valley. The Small Business Majority’s Small Business Roundtables take place May 7 and include an interactive discussion on those topics. The sessions focus on what business owners feel they need in order to grow and thrive in your community. Also up for discussion are what policy solutions would help…

DreamBuilder Give Tools for Business Start-Up

April 26, 2018

VBR

Business Advice e-Brief Features Events Featured News Comments

The Women’s Business Center of Cameron County and the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce are now accepting applications from those interested in starting a business for its DreamBuilder Academy. The 12-module course is designed specifically for women (although anyone can participate) and creates a step-by-step framework for starting a business. The DreamBuilder format helps participants realize if they should start a business, as well as understand a business plan. Costs with…

Deal Advances $1.6 Billion Port Steel Mill

April 26, 2018

VBR

e-Brief Features Manufacturing/Industrial News Comments

On Tuesday, the Brownsville Navigation District Board of Commissioners signed an option agreement for Big River Steel LLC to build a $1.6 billion plant at the Port of Brownsville. The agreement covers up to 800 acres of property. This will enable the steel-maker to develop a LEED-certified steel manufacturing plant, as well as storage and a distribution facility. “This is good news for Brownsville and the result of hard work by many…

Keeping Business Energy Efficiency on PACE

April 19, 2018

VBR

e-Brief Features Events News Real Estate Comments

Area businesses who have an interest in Property Assessed Clean Energy are invited to attend an information session April 23 at the Port Isabel-San Benito Navigation District. During this time, PACE Executive Director Charlene Heydinger will discuss how property owners can upgrade their buildings and conserve energy while also saving money. Financing options are available for industrial property owners and multifamily property owners as well as commercial property owners. Industrial Property Owners The Texas…

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