Tag Archives: Weslaco

Leadership Mid-Valley Accepting Applications

Featured News Comments
Leadership Mid-Valley XIV

Leadership Mid-Valley is now accepting applications for Class XV to begin in September. The eight-month program seeks to identify and motivate emerging leaders and then develop their potential for community leadership. This is done by exposing them to the realities and opportunities as well as problems of the community. Leadership classes begin in September and conclude in May. Participants meet once a month for tours, seminars and hands-on learning experiences. Session…

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Local Education Receives $850K for Career Training

Education Healthcare Manufacturing/Industrial Comments
South Texas College is one of the local recipients of TWC's recent JET grants for training registered nurses. (photo STC)

One local college and four independent school districts are the recipients of $850,892 in grants from the Texas Workforce Commission. The funds are for programs that focus on supporting high-demand occupations through the Jobs and Education for Texans grant program. The award total for 27 JET grants is $5,718,073 in 27 grants. Funds go to multiple public community colleges, technical institutes, state colleges and ISDs for programs. “I congratulate these JET recipients as…

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Hurricane Preparedness Fairs Begin

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hurricane

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…

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Teaching Students to Succeed

Education News Professional Services Comments
Partners Angie Moreno and Janie Garza Reyes started Advanced College & Hair Design in Weslaco 30 years ago.

Going from one classroom to another, Janie Garza Reyes gives a tour of a barber school that started with a handful of chairs 30 years ago, and is now the largest school of its type in the Rio Grande Valley – and one of the largest in Texas. “We opened this school from zero,” Reyes said, referring to the longtime partnership between herself and Angie Moreno in starting and building…

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Excellence in the Making

Education Featured Gallery News Comments
First-place winners Ulises Guerrero and Anel Cuarenta of Sharyland High School

They came. They competed. They won. Regional high school student teams recently participated in the BBVA inaugural Young Entrepreneur of the RGV Challenge, culminating in an awards ceremony April 30. There was a selection and awarding of competition winners, but all 19 groups are in a league of their own. Working together on a business plan and other crucial elements, presenting before a distinguished, local team of successful business leaders and…

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Curtain Call for Old Theater

Arts News Comments
Weslaco’s iconic concrete water tower rises above the original ground water storage building that now serves as a community theater. (VBR)

There was a time that the round, domed building with 12-inch-thick concrete walls stored much of Weslaco’s water supply. But for almost half a century, the historic structure has served as a community theater. Now, following a renovation with the help of the Weslaco Economic Development Corporation, the Tower Theater has a new lease on life. Constructed in 1928, the ground-level water storage facility was replaced in 1941 by the…

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Tragedy Tests Will to Succeed

Food & Entertainment News Comments
Baskets with burgers and fries are lined up ready to be served to Ranch House Burgers patrons. (Courtesy)

Building a business from scratch is enough of a challenge, and as Mike Barrera can attest, coming back from a tragedy will test you anew. Barrera was three years into establishing a successful restaurant business in Weslaco – Ranch House Burgers – when a fire struck in 2014 as he was making plans to get his second restaurant open in Mission. All that Barrera had built in Weslaco was gone…

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Serrano Adds Boost to Weslaco EDC

e-Brief Features Moving On Up News Comments
Juan Jose Serrano, new EDC board member

The Weslaco Economic Development Corporation recently filled a vacancy on its board during a time when the city is experiencing robust growth and planning for additional development. Juan Jose Serrano was recently appointed by the City Commission. He fills the vacancy left as a result of the passing of businessman Rudy Cisneros. In his facility leader position as the H-E-B Retail Support Center in Weslaco, Serrano oversees 250 employees. The…

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Growth of a Spirited Business

News Retail Comments
To stay competitive, Holiday Wine and Liquor owner David Hernandez’s Rio Grande Valley business evolved from selling cold beer to a chain of full-service liquor stores. (VBR)

Fresh out of college at 23 years of age, David Hernandez saw an opportunity and then seized it. With $30,000 in hand from his relatives, Hernandez used it as seed money to open the first of what would become 12 Pop-A-Top stores in the Rio Grande Valley. The yellow stores with blue trim became ubiquitous across the region. “Coldest Beer In Town” was the Pop-A-Top signature line and Hernandez meant…

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RGV Women of Purpose Inspires

Events Featured News Comments

More than 300 women attended the second annual RGV Women of Purpose Mixer March 21 at IBC Bank on S. Broadway in McAllen. Business women from across the Valley gathered to network and hear inspiring words of wisdom and encouragement. San Antonio First Lady Erika Prosper shared her presentation, I Am Enough. The attendees were encouraged by the keynote speaker to not be too hard on themselves and other women.…

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