Karla Ugarte and Juan Palma were coming off nine solid months of new business success when they reached for more in opening their second Keto Sweets & Treats. The husband-and-wife team were building from solid ground with the customer and revenue gains from their Alamo bakery along Expressway 77/83. Moving into the bigger McAllen market with a location near the always busy intersection of 10th Street and Trenton Road was…
During these rough times, the Alamo Economic Development Corporation continues to offer its programs to aid businesses in Alamo. One of the EDC’s most popular options is the Micro-Loan Program. The creation of the Micro-Loan Program came in order to help local business owners with storefront improvements, repairs and renovations. This program now utilizes a micro-loan as working capital to help alleviate operating costs that business owners have trouble covering.…
The most adorable way to celebrate milestones has arrived and it’s taking the Rio Grande Valley by sweet surprise. Proud small business owner Esli Escobedo is the brains behind Charming Picnics. The Alamo native is thrilled to have so much support from the community early on in her journey. How it came to be Growing up around her entrepreneur father, Esli has always known she wanted to follow in his…
The City of Alamo is currently accepting submissions from artists and designers for a new city t-shirt. The winning design receives $150 and a shirt with the design on it. Second place receives $100 and third $50. The contest rules are: The design must be related to the City of Alamo. There is a limit of two design entries per person. The work must be original and not violate any copyright…
In an effort to prepare the community for hurricane season, emergency preparedness fairs are going on this week across Hidalgo County. The 10th annual Dare to Prepare fairs aim to assist residents in planning for weather-related emergencies. To better reach the public, some of the fairs are in the evening and at larger and more convenient locations. Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez, who also serves as the county’s emergency…
Donna ISD, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD, Raymondville ISD are all recent recipients of Jobs and Education for Texas grants fro the Texas Workforce Commission. The schools will use the grants to purchase and install equipment necessary to train 779 students for careers in high-demand occupations. These include welding fabrication and emergency medical services. Grant totals include $271,472 to Raymondville ISD, $208,383 to Donna ISD and $280,630 to Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD. The grants will benefit students in the Workforce Solutions Lower Rio Grande…
Some 800 birders visited the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival in November, its 25th year as one of the premier birding events in the country. With dozens of field trips to regional birding hotspots and lectures by internationally renowned birding experts, the festival’s staying power is a testament to the economic impact of ecotourism, and particularly birdwatching, in Deep South Texas. While there are no recent studies on the financial…
The City of Alamo will host its biannual Small Business Workshop Sept. 19 to educate business owners on ways to get financial assistance as well as help bring ideas to fruition. Alamo EDC Director Rafael Tapia will discuss Alamo programs as well as available opportunities such as the Revolving Loan Program and Micro-Loan Program. These programs assist small businesses and start-ups by providing a low-cost alternative financing option. Information on Texas…
The Alamo Economic Development Corporation is now offering a new Micro-Loan Program that will help small business owners expand their efforts in the city. The Micro-Loan Program works by lending money to local businesses, with the funds being paid back with the interest. The funds are then reused. The loans are possible with assistance from USDA – Rural Development. Qualified applicants must be located in Alamo and have a minimum…