The last week of a nearly 40-year career in agricultural research and education was wrapping up in late August for Ruben Saldana. “It feels awkward and a little emotional,” he said in his Weslaco office where he served as the administrator for Texas AgriLife Research & Extension, District 12. Saldana provided leadership for a district that covers nearly all counties south of San Antonio as well as managing the AgriLife…
Bob Mills and his oldest son cut through two ribbons in late August and officially brought a Bob Mills Furniture store to the Rio Grande Valley market. The company’s 12th store in its chain is located in San Juan and is the first one south of San Antonio. The Oklahoma City-based company now has nine stores in Texas. It represents a significant addition among the Valley’s furniture store offerings with…
Jeremy Smith’s family-owned business demonstrated a steely resolve in getting through double catastrophes over the last five years – and coming out of both revived and refreshed. “Two things – the pandemic and the fire – and you learn to take what the market gives you,” Smith said of COVID-19 and a 2022 New Year’s Day fire that destroyed Matt’s Building Materials flagship store in Pharr. “You never let a…
The City of McAllen earns national recognition, ranking 20 in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best Places to Live. McAllen joins six other Texas cities to round out the top 20: Pearland (3), League City (6), Leander (8), Flower Mound (14), Pflugerville (15) and Sugar Land (16). The annual ranking evaluates 250 cities across the United States based on affordability, job market strength, desirability and overall quality of…
Texas had 14,347,700 total nonfarm jobs after adding 17,600 positions over the month in August. Over the year, the state added 195,600 jobs for an annual nonfarm growth rate of 1.4 percent, outpacing the national growth rate by 0.5 percentage points. Texas’ civilian labor force registered at 15,857,300 after adding 8,600 people over the month and reaching a new record high level for the series. Over the year, Texas’ civilian…
For the second consecutive year, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has been recognized as one of the Great Colleges to Work For. UTRGV is among only 76 institutions across the country awarded the 2025 Great Colleges to Work For distinction, based on direct feedback from faculty and staff. The Great Colleges to Work For program, now in its 18th year, highlights colleges that receive top ratings from employees…
Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce members Daniel Pizaña and Erika Mazzola, co-founders of Noah’s Ark LLC, earned the Community Choice and First Runner-Up honors at the Startup Texas Pitch Fest on Sept. 9. The integrated pet care platform supports lost pet recovery, wellness guidance, and community connections. Pizaña presented the company during the live pitch competition at the eBridge Center for Business and Commercialization. He joined founders from…
Plumbing and Pipefitting, a program new to Texas State Technical College’s Harlingen campus, recently welcomed its first cohort of students as the fall semester got underway. Among those students are Ricardo Cantu, David Martinez and Fernando Ochoa. Cantu, of Lyford, is pursuing a Plumbing and Pipefitting – Tradesman certificate of completion. He said his goal is to mirror the skill and expertise demonstrated by his instructors. “I want to learn…
Applications are now being accepted for the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation’s Quality of Life Grants for Fiscal Year 2026. Nonprofits, public agencies and eligible community partners are encouraged to bring forward projects that make daily life in Brownsville better, more active and more connected. Eligible activities include community infrastructure and beautification, recreational and sports facilities, health and wellness initiatives, safety and accessibility, environmental sustainability, destination amenities that support tourism, technology and…
The Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will host the second annual “Manual for Success” Men’s Conference and Expo on Nov. 5. The one-day professional development experience is designed to equip men with the tools to thrive personally and professionally. “Investing in yourself — both personally and professionally — is one of the smartest moves a man can make,” said Armando Villarreal, director of membership and events. “Our Men’s…