The new Edinburg Economic Development Department now has a seven-member board of directors after appointments by the Edinburg City Council. The board consists of a former state representative, three previous members of the Edinburg EDC board of directors and three other prominent area leaders.

The Edinburg Economic Development Department takes over the duties of the Edinburg EDC. The Edinburg EDC every year received millions from the city’s one-half cent sales tax for a wide range of economic development programs. Its current annual budget, which covers Oct. 1, 2019, through Sept. 30, 2020, was $5.9 million.

The new Edinburg Economic Development Department, along with the seven members of its board of directors, promote and develop commercial, industrial and manufacturing enterprise. It also promotes and encourages employment, according to the city agenda packet.

Choosing a new board

Initially, when the city council agenda packet was made public on the Internet by the city government, there were 24 individuals submitting their candidacy for the seven slots. On June 2, an updated list showed an increase of applicants to 31.

The appointees must still pass a background check, coordinated by the city manager’s office. This is a requirement of all individuals seeking to serve on city boards and related advisory committees.

Members of the Edinburg Economic Development Department board of directors are Daniel Antonio Díaz of South Texas Health Systems, McAllen; Roland Gómez of the City of Pharr; and Verónica Gonzáles, vice president of Governmental and Community Relations at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Also, Hiren Govind of Qube Hotel Group, Sabrina Walker Hernández of Supporting World Hope, Raúl Reséndez of Raul Reséndez State Farm Insurance, and Aaron (Ronny) Rivera of Rivera Funeral Home.

Díaz, Gómez, and Govind are recent members of the Edinburg EDC board of directors.