Tag Archives: Norma Sepulveda

Data Center Possibility Draws Scrutiny

Community News Technology Comments
Data center companies are often recruited by local economic development corporations, but opposed by local residents despite the opposition voiced in some communities about their construction. (Courtesy)

The rampant online speculation about the construction of a data center in Harlingen has come into clearer focus as the Cameron County judge and the city’s mayor acknowledged such an interest exists while emphasizing no formal proposals are under consideration. The property site for a possible data center is an 1,800-acre space adjacent to Valley International Airport and just outside of Harlingen’s city limits. This means any possible approval of…

Read More

Alliance Gives South Texas Higher Profile

e-Brief Features Government News Comments
Palmview Mayor Ricardo Villarreal says he is picking up ideas from larger cities in attending meetings of the South Texas Alliance of Cities. (Courtesy)

The South Texas Alliance of Cities launched in 2023 with the goal of fostering greater cooperation and collaboration among communities in addressing key issues. The partnership appears to be off to a good start. The majority of the communities in the pact are in the Rio Grande Valley although it does extend to San Antonio. That city’s mayor, Ron Nirenberg, has attended some of the alliance’s quarterly meetings. The focus…

Read More

UTRGV Takes Expertise To Cities

Community News Comments

Ramiro Aleman picked up on a key element missing in San Benito when he was recently named executive director of the city’s economic development corporation. “There was no presence of UTRGV in San Benito,” Aleman recalled thinking when starting his new job last fall. “How can we change that?” On March 30, Aleman and his board welcomed UTRGV’s Office of Workforce and Economic Development to San Benito. The start of…

Read More

Harlingen Launches Small Business Site Improvement Grant

Community News Comments
Revitalize Harlingen

The Harlingen Economic Development Corporation has launched Revitalize Harlingen, a 50/50 matching grant program to enhance business storefronts, encourage job retention and stimulate economic activity. “The main goal of Revitalize Harlingen is to rejuvenate targeted areas in the city that need revitalizing,” said Beverly Loftus, interim CEO of the Harlingen EDC. “The benefits from the  grant funds will encourage reinvestment by small businesses to attract more customers and  increase revenues.”…

Read More