The stretch of the Arroyo Colorado that winds from Harlingen to the Laguna Madre is well known as a recreational hotspot in Cameron County. From Arroyo City to the bay, the banks are lined with residences, many with private boat docks, and the Adolph Thomae Jr. County Park boasts a busy public boat ramp. But there is a different kind of marine traffic that navigates this section of the arroyo,…
A bad motorcycle accident changed Tim Elliott’s life, sending him down a new road toward owning his own business. After almost losing a leg and unable to return to work as part of the Walmart management team, the once-athletic Elliott immersed himself in the study of golf and golf equipment. It was the only sport he thought he would ever be able to play again. “I read Golf Digest and…
“In life you have to take chances. Sometimes the biggest risk you can take is not taking one,” said Rachel Hinojosa. Last year, she and her husband Rene Moreno opted to take a more active risk with their business SS Auto Body Solutions. In November 2017, one year after the couple had opened SS Auto Body Solutions in Harlingen, they jumped at the opportunity to lease a Mercedes building with…
After years of discussion and negotiation, a new merger has created one of the largest independently owned full-service commercial brokerage real estate firms in South Texas. Michael Blum, partner and managing broker of NAI Rio Grande Valley; Charles Mueller, managing partner of Synergis Realty Group, LLC, owner of NAI Rio Grande Valley; and Edward Villarreal, owner of South Texas Commercial Real Estate, recently signed off on the merger that has…
The Texas economy added 32,000 seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs in August, which marked 26 consecutive months of employment growth. Over the year, Texas added 394,500 jobs for an annual employment growth rate of 3.2 percent. Private-sector employers added 32,800 positions over the month. Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 3.9 percent in August, down slightly from 4.0 in July 2018. Locally, unemployment rates are also down in Metropolitan Statistical Areas. Brownsville-Harlingen…
Thanks to Skills for Small Business grants from the Texas Workforce Commission, Workforce Development and Continuing Education at Texas State Technical College are working with local small businesses in Cameron County to help them have the trained personnel they need. The grants total $156,000 provide both professional training and development among small businesses. This will continue into 2019 training from TSTC which has helped more than a dozen small businesses since 2016.…
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…
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.…
Computer Networking and Security Technology at Texas State Technical College in Harlingen is celebrating a unique national distinction. The program is now a Center of Excellence for Cyber Defense for two-year education programs. The recognition comes from the Department of Homeland Security and National Security Agency. The National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense recognizes and grants designations to institutions that offer rigorous degree programs in information security. “Your…
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…