Category Archives: News

McAllen Takes Top National Spot in Rising Salaries

Featured News Comments

McAllen is number one in the list of boomtowns cities of rising salaries, according to CNBC. The ranking comes from CNBC the top 10 cities in Magnify Money’s Top 10 of the biggest boomtowns in the United States. These cities identify where populations have been growing, as well as median wages rising. That methodology looked at three categories: population and housing; workforce and earnings; and business growth over a five-year period.…

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Local Colleges and ISDs Earn JET Grants

Education Featured News Comments

The Texas Workforce Commission has awarded 23 grants totaling $4,998,598 to public junior colleges, public technical institutes, public state colleges and independent school districts for programs that focus on supporting high-demand occupations through the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant program. Of note, eight of those grants went to local community colleges and school systems. “These grants will focus on advanced technical training, and will keep our Texas businesses…

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Grindstone Opens McAllen Location

e-Brief Features News Real Estate Comments

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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Bandera Brings New Brew to Harlingen

e-Brief Features Featured Food & Entertainment News Comments
Bandera Coffee Co.

Downtown Harlingen has scored big points with the addition of the new stylish coffee shop, Bandera Coffee Co. This coffee shop just recently opened, boasting excellent roasts. It takes pride in the origin and source of its coffee with a pour over menu consisting of Ethiopian, Costa Rican and Mexican beans. Flavor profiles range from bright notes of kiwi, apple and grape to refreshing key lime, butterscotch and smooth cocoa.…

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STC Receives Economic Development Grant

Education Featured News Comments

South Texas College and the Starr County Industrial Foundation are the recipients of a $100,000 federal planning grant from the Economic Development Administration. STC Director of Grant Development, Management and Compliance Virginia Champion says the grant will support the college and the SCIF’s interest in the development of a current Asset Map of Starr County. It will also facilitate a Strategic Planning Conference with key leaders and stakeholders. Vice-Chair of…

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The Basics of 8(a) Government Contracting

Business Advice Events Featured Government News Comments
SBA Business Opportunity Specialist Gilbert Soliz Jr. explains both the ins and outs of the 8(a) Business Development Program on Sept. 6 at the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is an invaluable resource for any new entrepreneur. The 8(a) Business Development Program began as a public law and was named after Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act of 1953 (Section 204 of Public Law 100-656). The program’s incorporation took place in 1984 in Part 19, Small Business Program of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). Specifically, the program is a creation for businesses to work…

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Small Businesses Score $50K from Mission EDC

e-Brief Features Featured Food & Entertainment News Retail Comments

The Mission Economic Development Corporation’s small business development program, Ruby Red Ventures, named three new winners of its small business funding competition. A local all-natural, cold-pressed juice producer, a maker of pre-packaged Mexican stews and meals, and manufacturer of gourmet grilling sauces are all recent winners of $50,000 in funding from Mission EDC. Mr. Pepe, El Cazos Guisos and B. Veggie took the top three spots, respectively, in the latest round of the…

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Southwest Airlines Adds More VIA Flights

e-Brief Features News Transportation & Travel Comments

Southwest Airlines is now offering an additional 17 non-stop flights between Valley International Airport and Dallas Love Field during high demand days for Thanksgiving and Christmas 2018. Additionally, effective March 10, 2019, Southwest Airlines will offer nonstop service between Harlingen and Dallas Love on Sundays.  Southwest currently offers non-stop flights from Harlingen to Austin and Houston Hobby airports as well. Flights to Dallas will depart at 1:45 p.m. on Sundays with…

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Truck Driver Appreciation Week

e-Brief Features Events News Comments
Truck Appreciation Week

For the third consecutive year, the Port of Brownsville joins the entire U.S. trucking industry in celebration of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week Sept. 9-14. The event highlights the efforts of professional truck drivers who deliver the nation’s freight safely and securely every day. In 2017, the Port of Brownsville recorded more than 300,000 truck movements at the port. According to the American Trucking Association, there are more than 3.5…

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IBC Executive Meets with Mexican Leaders

Featured Finance/Banking News Comments
IBC Bank Executive Vice President Gerry Schwebel and Chief of Staff designee and Liaison to the Mexican private sector Alfonso Romo

IBC Bank Executive Vice President Gerald “Gerry” Schwebel recently participated in a mission to Mexico City to meet with leaders of the incoming government of President-elect Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Organizer of the mission was the U.S.-Mexico CEO Dialogue, an initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The group, made up of both U.S. and Mexican leaders, addresses core issues in the countries’ bilateral relationship. Schwebel and other representatives met with…

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