Ranch House Burgers II has new and temporary hours in the era of COVID-19. Every other day, the Mission restaurant is open from midnight to 3 a.m. Its customers are primarily police officers, state troopers and first responders. “They got tired of burritos from the convenience stores,” said Mike Barrera, the restaurant’s owner. “We’re a business, so we do charge for the meals to help keep my staff employed, but it’s…
One day, Bonnie Emerson was getting ready to stage another weekend Rancho Viejo Farmers Market – and then the world changed. The threat of the coronavirus led Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to issue an executive order on March 19 that limited public gatherings and eventually led to the closing of many businesses. The Rancho Viejo Farmers Market of March 21-22 saw an abrupt cancellation with no roadmap of what to…
The Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley is the recipient of $20,000 in grants from the HCA Healthcare Foundation. The food bank will use the funds in its Coronavirus Resource Readiness and Response Campaign. HCA Healthcare Foundation is a a tax exempt trust and the philanthropic arm of HCA Healthcare, one of the nation’s leading healthcare providers. Locally, Valley Regional Medical Center and Rio Grande Regional Hospital are affiliates…
The McAllen Chamber of Commerce is collecting information from businesses regarding reopening the economy. The online survey is gauging what business owners and representatives of non-profit organizations in the region are willing to do in order to reopen business. The survey is primarily designed for small to medium-sized businesses. This includes franchise operations and local branches or stores of larger companies. Larger companies may still provide responses. Individual responses will…
The City of Pharr, Fazoli’s and local school districts are working together to help feed Pharr families in need. “Plans are underway to provide free meals to our families most in need on a weekly basis,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez. “I wholeheartedly want to thank Jerry Maddox, Fazoli’s owner, for opening his doors and being so generous during these uncertain times. This is certainly a difficult time for many families…
Update: As of May 20, 2020, the Causeway Run and Fitness Walk has been cancelled for this year. Port Isabel’s sixth annual Causeway Run and Fitness Walk has a new date. Runners and walkers alike can look forward to Aug. 22 to cross the 2.6-mile Queen Isabella Causeway on foot. The annual event was originally scheduled for June 6, yet was postponed by the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce due…
The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce joins the SBA’s Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office to provide a webinar about the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program April 3 at 10 a.m. This webinar will address and inform small businesses with an interest in applying for the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan. The program covers vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue due to…
To say we are all in limbo, nervous and confused about the coming weeks, months and years is an understatement. Most of the world and especially our world, the RGV, is operating in survival mode as we await possible spreading or containment of COVID-19. It has created an abundance of uncertainty for every man, woman and yes, even most children. Normalcy was put on hiatus mid March and the future…
In their effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, two Brownsville-area hospitals are reaching out to the business community for assistance in obtaining personal protective equipment. Both Valley Baptist Medical Center and Valley Regional Medical Center are low in supplies. The hospitals are looking to purchase or borrow and replace PPE equipment. This includes face shields, gloves, masks and other types of PPE. They are looking for all types of PPE,…
Small businesses throughout the entire state of Texas are now eligible to apply for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans. “I’m encouraged by the collaboration between the Texas Governor’s Office and the SBA Disaster Team to rapidly make this recovery funding available to small businesses and nonprofits statewide,” said South Central Regional Administrator Justin Crossie. Small businesses are beginning to feel the impact from the spread of…