McAllen, McAllen Chamber of Commerce, Ribbon Cutting, Grand Opening, Forum CRE, Faro Companies, Harvey House

Staff Report

McAllen TX - The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has announced a series of grand openings and ribbon cuttings for local businesses this week.

Forum CRE will hold a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, Aug. 26, at 4:30 p.m., at 1400 N. McColl Rd., Suite 207.

A new business launch event, hosted through ticketopolis.com, is also set for Aug. 26 at 10 a.m. at the McAllen Public Library, 4001 N. 23rd St. RSVP is available at ticketopolis.com/mcallenlaunch.

Faro Companies will hold a ribbon cutting on Thursday, Aug. 27, at 4:30 p.m., at 2109 S. 10th St., Bldg 400.

Harvey House will hold a ribbon cutting on Friday, Aug. 28, at 4 p.m., at 5412 N 10th St.

More information is available at mcallenchamber.com/events.

About the Chamber

The McAllen Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1925, and its predecessor organization, the McAllen Businessmen’s Club, helped drive the creation of the City of McAllen in 1911, according to the chamber’s website. The chamber reports a membership of 1,300 and a staff of 21, and describes itself as the largest chamber in a 15-county area. Its mission is to help McAllen businesses succeed, accelerate connections, create economic momentum and enhance the image and quality of place of McAllen. The chamber has held a 5-Star Accredited Chamber of Commerce designation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce since 2014, according to its website. Utrgv

Source - McAllen Chamber of Commerce; mcallenchamber.com

McAllen, McAllen Chamber of Commerce, Good Day McAllen, McAllen Economic Development Corporation, Embassy Suites

Staff Report

McAllen TX - The McAllen Chamber of Commerce and McAllen Economic Development Corporation will hold the next quarterly Good Day McAllen luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 3, at Embassy Suites by Hilton, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event is sponsored by the McAllen Public Library and the McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge.

Ticket prices for members are $35 for an individual, $200 for a half table of four, and $400 for a table of eight. A jackpot of $700 will be awarded, and attendees must be present to win.

Tickets and information are available at mcallenchamber.com/events. For more information, call 956-682-2871.

Source - McAllen Chamber of Commerce / McAllen Economic Development Corporation

McAllen, McAllen Chamber of Commerce, Link Up, Clark, networking, small business, professional development

Staff Report

McAllen TX - The McAllen Chamber of Commerce will host Link Up: Connecting One to One, a fast-paced networking event presented by Clark, on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, 1200 Ash Ave. The event is free for all chamber members. Seating is limited and a light lunch will be provided.

The 90-minute event is designed to help participants make new contacts, promote their businesses, and develop leads. Attendees are encouraged to bring business cards.

Source - McAllen Chamber of Commerce

Photo above: The McAllen Chamber was recognized for its work with the One Million Cups and the Kauffman FastTrac programs. Pictured, from left are Olatunji Ajani, Executive Director for the Kauffman Foundation’s 1 Million Cups & FastTrac programs and Amy De la Hoz, Economic Development Coordinator at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce. Photo courtesy McAllen Chamber of Commerce.

McAllen, McAllen Chamber of Commerce, Kauffman Foundation, 1 Million Cups, Kauffman FastTrac, Elizabeth Suarez, Jorge Sanchez, entrepreneurship, small business, economic development

Staff Report

McAllen TX - The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has been recognized by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation for its leadership with 1 Million Cups and Kauffman FastTrac, two flagship entrepreneurship programs operating in the McAllen community.

Elizabeth Suarez, president and CEO of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, expressed gratitude for the recognition.

“Thank you to the Kauffman Foundation for this recognition and for providing knowledge and connection in communities like ours,” Suarez said. “We look forward to continuing this work and creating even more opportunities for entrepreneurs to succeed.”

The Chamber has hosted 1 Million Cups every month since launching the program on April 11, 2018. The free weekly program connects entrepreneurs with mentors, investors, business leaders, and fellow founders for feedback and collaboration. This year the Chamber also completed its eighth Kauffman FastTrac cohort, providing more than 60 entrepreneurs with hands-on business education in customer discovery, business planning, financial management, marketing, and growth strategies, culminating in Demo Day.

Jorge Sanchez, senior vice president of small business and innovation for the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and Kauffman Regional Network Lead for the West region, said the recognition reflects the entrepreneurs who drive the programs.

“1 Million Cups and FastTrac give our entrepreneurs a place to test their ideas, get honest feedback, and build the relationships that carry them into their next stage of growth,” Sanchez said. “This recognition from the Kauffman Foundation reflects the entrepreneurs who show up every month ready to build, and we’re proud to keep creating that space for them.”

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is one of the nation’s leading organizations dedicated to advancing entrepreneurship, with approximately $2.45 billion in assets under management.

For more information, contact the McAllen Chamber of Commerce at (956) 682-2871.

Source - McAllen Chamber of Commerce

Photo above: An aerial view of an apartment complex next to commercially zoned land for sale in McAllen on May 12, 2025. Michael Gonzales for The Texas Tribune.

Berenice Garcia, The Texas Tribune

Pharr TX — Leaders within the construction industry in South Texas delivered a clear message to lawmakers: Stop the mass deportation of workers or risk losing in November.

During a gathering Wednesday hosted by the South Texas Builders Association and the American Business Immigration Coalition Action, industry leaders discussed possible solutions for immigrant workers. Lawmakers who don’t engage with their concerns or don’t support worker protections, the group warned, will lose their races in the November midterm elections.

The South Texas Builders Association had been for months raising the alarm on how immigration enforcement by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had scared immigrant workers from showing up to work sites, causing a labor shortage and a delay in construction projects.

After the death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a construction worker in Houston who was fatally shot by an ICE officer earlier this month, ICE’s targeting of immigrant laborers has once again come into focus, and now, the builders association is demanding worker protections, such as permits that would allow immigrants to work legally in the country.

“I want to send a clear warning to every political leader: If you don’t stop the worksite raids, the mass deportations, if you don’t pass the work permits for long-term, law-abiding immigrants, or citizens, or our Dreamers, you will lose,” said Massey Villarreal, CEO and president of Precision Task Group, a business solutions firm based in Houston.

Villarreal, a Republican, serves as co-chairman of the Comité de 100, a bipartisan group of Latino business leaders who advocate for immigration policies that enable border security alongside a pathway for legal status for workers.

An attack on the community

He said that Latinos in Texas should take it personally when ICE targets people like Salgado Araujo because he said it’s an attack on the community.

“I won’t tolerate it, even in our own party,” he said.

Ronnie Cavazos, chairman of the South Texas Builders Association, said his own father was an immigrant and a hard worker. He imagined that Salgado Araujo, who was killed on his way to work, was similar and questioned why the community had supported a presidential administration that would shoot and kill a worker like him.

“Let’s be real, we voted for it,” Cavazos said. “So whose fault was it?”

He would take the blame, but he and the organization are paying attention now, he said, adding that the only way to change things is to vote.

“When I go to that ballot box in November, Lorenzo’s name is going to be in my mind,” Cavazos said.

Three congressional races at stake

The three congressional races in South Texas are among the most competitive in the state. Two of the incumbents — U.S. Reps. Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez, Democrats from Laredo and McAllen, respectively — attended Wednesday’s gathering and reiterated their support for limiting ICE operations for the deportation of violent criminals and assured they supported work permits for immigrant laborers.

U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, a Republican from Edinburg, did not attend Wednesday’s meeting, though she has met with the builders association in the past. Following talks with the group, De La Cruz said she would favor a legal status for construction workers.

She has also worked behind the scenes to secure the release of people from ICE custody including high school mariachi students and a nun who was detained on her way to Mass last month.

“As I have repeatedly said, our immigration enforcement should target violent criminals,” De La Cruz said in a social post when the nun, Sister Leticia Ugboaja, was detained.

However, De La Cruz has faced criticism from immigrant activist groups for voting for President Donald Trump’s signature funding bill, the One, Big, Beautiful Bill, which allocated more funding for ICE’s immigration crackdown.

De La Cruz is in a closely watched congressional race against Tejano star Bobby Pulido who is hoping to flip the seat back to Democrats in November.

Pulido, whose delayed flight kept him away from Wednesday’s gathering, spoke to the group in a video message.

“I do believe that we want common-sense immigration reform that doesn’t hurt businesses and doesn’t separate families and have people living in fear,” Pulido said. “I’m with you all, and you all have a friend.”

Andy Garza, a sales consultant for a concrete company based in Mission, said he was disappointed the meeting became political after it was advertised as an open discussion that put politics aside.

Garza, who voted for Trump 2024, said if Democrats had secured the border to begin with, ICE raids wouldn’t be happening now.

Because of culture war issues, Garza said he would never vote for a Democrat again. However, he said immigrants are needed for construction and agriculture work.

“I do believe there should be changes,” he said. “Leave the people that are working, are construction workers, leave them alone. We need them.”

Reporting in the Rio Grande Valley is supported in part by the Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

This article first appeared on The Texas Tribune.

McAllen, UTRGV, Market Lab, Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship, McAllen Main Library, small business, entrepreneurs, Isaac Tawil, Giorgio Gotti, business coaching, market research

Staff Report

McAllen TX - The City of McAllen has partnered with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship to bring the UTRGV Market Lab program to the McAllen Main Library, offering free business development resources to local entrepreneurs and small business owners.

The six-week program will accept the first 30 qualifying businesses and provide personalized coaching, market research, branding support, and strategic planning at no cost. Participants will also be paired with UTRGV student consulting teams for semester-long projects covering market research, business strategy, financial analysis, and marketing.

City Manager Isaac J. Tawil said the partnership reflects the city’s commitment to its business community.

“We’re excited to bring the UTRGV Market Lab to McAllen and provide our local entrepreneurs with access to resources that can help them grow and succeed,” Tawil said. “Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, and we’re grateful to partner with UTRGV to offer this exceptional opportunity to the business community. By investing in our entrepreneurs, we’re investing in the future of McAllen.”

Dr. Giorgio Gotti, dean of the Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship, said the program advances UTRGV’s experiential learning mission.

“One of the best ways to prepare students for successful careers is to give them opportunities to solve real business challenges before they graduate,” Gotti said. “Through Market Lab, students work alongside local businesses, applying their knowledge, developing professional skills and making a meaningful impact on our community. This collaboration benefits our students, our business partners, and the continued growth of the Rio Grande Valley.”

Since its inception, Market Lab has served more than 70 businesses, with 92% of participants reporting increased market clarity and confidence in their business direction.

The program is open to entrepreneurs, startups, innovators, and small business owners looking to launch or expand. Applications for the Fall 2026 cohort are now being accepted at forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=pjYEmd-HHEmRJJr6kfiIJw04M0otkuJDoY7DWhlh3ZpUQUNGUk5KTjM0M0lQOFVINUpLMUNLSEdJWi4u&route=shorturl.

Source - City of McAllen and UTRGV Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship

Dr. M. Ray Perryman

Even with current challenges and uncertainty, our latest projections call for significant growth in the Texas economy over the next five years. The current environment involves notable potential for volatility, but the state is well positioned for ongoing expansion. (We’ve discussed many of the key patterns affecting performance in recent columns which are available on our website if you’d like more detail.)

Although the pace of growth was slower than in previous years at both the national and the state level, Texas was the top state in terms of numeric population growth from July 2024 to July 2025. Some 391,240 new residents were added - about 1,072 new Texans per day. Along with population growth, Texas has gradually improved in educational attainment levels over the past decade. This combination will help meet the need for workers.

Texas captured its 14th straight Site Selection magazine’s Governor’s Cup, awarded to the state that attracted the most major job-creating business location and expansion projects over the past year. Two additional awards to the state resulted in a “Triple Crown” of economic development accolades. Recent headlines indicate that 2026 is likely to be another positive year. In addition to strong growth in financial services and the opening of the TXSE, major investments in other areas have been announced or are underway.

Texas is emerging as a primary destination for massive data center projects, which provide the infrastructure necessary to support the AI boom. Approximately one-fourth of all new activity (around 140 projects) is presently ongoing in the state. We’ve analyzed dozens of them, and they are game changers for local economies. As with any major construction endeavor, there can be short-term disruptions during development, and there have been some past examples of poorly conceived projects. With proper planning, however, data centers represent a significant opportunity for quality jobs and tax revenue to be used to meet local needs.

The conflict in the Middle East sent oil prices surging (at least temporarily). Higher oil prices clearly bring certain benefits to Texas, but they are somewhat concentrated by industry and geography (though the vast supplier network stretches across the state). The ultimate net effect will only be determined once the still-volatile crisis has subsided.

Our most recent forecast calls for an increase in Texas wage and salary employment of 1.78% per year through 2030, resulting in a total gain of almost 1.4 million. If should be noted, however, that current headwinds indicate that much of this expansion will be deferred into the later years of the projection horizon. The current environment is replete with challenges, and the path will likely be uneven, but growth potential over the next five years and beyond is substantial.

Stay safe!

Hidalgo County, McAllen, Edinburg, Mission, homeownership, mortgage, young buyers, ConsumerAffairs, Elizabeth Suarez, McAllen Chamber of Commerce, McAllen Economic Development Corporation, FHA loans, Rio Grande Valley, affordability

Staff Report

MCALLEN TX - The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metropolitan area jumped 23 spots in one year to rank second in the nation for young homebuyer access, according to a 2026 analysis by ConsumerAffairs that examined homeownership rates and mortgage lending activity across 100 of the most populous U.S. metro areas.

The Hidalgo County metro posted the highest share of home purchase loans going to buyers under age 35 of any metro in the country, at 46.3%, surpassing even the top-ranked Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which recorded a 43.3% share. The region also posted the second-highest homeownership rate among residents under 35 at 20.1%, trailing only Baton Rouge’s nation-leading 22.1%.

The jump from No. 23 in 2025 to No. 2 in 2026 represents one of the largest year-over-year gains of any metro in the study. Among all Texas metros analyzed, the Hidalgo County area outranked every market except El Paso, which placed fourth after a 35-spot jump of its own.

The Hidalgo County metro’s median home sale price of $209,859 is the lowest of all 100 metros analyzed. FHA loans, which can carry down payments as low as 3.5%, are particularly popular among younger buyers in the region, with 48.9% of those loans going to applicants under 35.

Nationally, homeownership among buyers under 35 has shown signs of slowing after several years of growth. Americans under 35 account for 36% of all home purchase loans nationwide, while their share of homeownership among all age groups stands at 14%. The under-35 ownership rate declined 0.4% between 2023 and 2024 amid rising home prices and mortgage rates.

The ConsumerAffairs analysis quoted Nadia Evangelou, principal economist and director of real estate research at the National Association of Realtors, on the broader implications of geographic disparities in homeownership access. “Two young households with similar incomes can end up on very different financial trajectories simply because of where they live,” she said. “The affordability gap we are seeing across metro areas is increasingly becoming a wealth building gap.”

Elizabeth Suarez, president and CEO of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and McAllen Economic Development Corporation, said the ranking reflects the region’s competitive advantages.

“This ranking confirms what we see every day in McAllen, a community where young families and first-time buyers can still find a realistic path to homeownership,” Suarez said. “Our affordability, combined with a growing economy and strong job opportunities, is giving the next generation a reason to put down roots here. This is exactly the kind of quality-of-life story that strengthens our case to employers and site selectors looking at the Rio Grande Valley.”

The full study, including rankings for all 100 metro areas, is available at consumeraffairs.com.

Source - ConsumerAffairs and McAllen Chamber of Commerce and McAllen Economic Development Corporation

McAllen, housing, rent, apartments, RentCafe, affordability, cost of living, Brownsville, Rio Grande Valley

Staff Report

McAllen TX - McAllen leads the nation in apartment space available for a $1,500 monthly rent budget, according to a study published June 23, 2026, by RentCafe.com and written by senior creative writer and research analyst Veronica Grecu.

Renters in McAllen can secure 1,378 square feet for $1,500 per month, enough for a three- to four-bedroom apartment. The city’s average rent is $993, with the typical apartment measuring 912 square feet, well above the national average apartment size of 835 square feet. The national average rent as of March 2026 stands at $1,740 per month.

McAllen’s top ranking comes even as its available square footage slipped slightly from 1,393 square feet the previous year, a sign that even the most affordable markets are beginning to tighten, the study noted.

Nationally, the $1,500 budget secures an average of 703 square feet. In Manhattan, New York, the same budget yields just 210 square feet, roughly the size of a dorm room.

Brownsville also appeared in the study’s findings, ranked among the cities where $1,500 reaches the three- to four-bedroom range. However, Brownsville was also among the cities that saw the steepest year-over-year declines in available square footage, with a 4.3% drop compared to the previous year.

The study analyzed apartment data from 200 of the largest cities in the contiguous United States using Yardi Matrix data as of March 2026, covering multifamily properties of 50 or more units.

For more information, see the original blog post at: https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/rental-market/market-snapshots/rental-space-for-1500/

Source - RentCafe.com

Dr. M. Ray Perryman

About 10 years ago, voters in the United Kingdom (UK) voted to leave the European Union (E). Key issues in the decision included a desire for more control and autonomy, with less immigration without the EU’s policy of free movement. Proponents thought the UK would not only save billions of pounds in EU membership fees but would also be able to negotiate better trade deals without the EU bureaucracy. After heated debate, the referendum narrowly passed with 52% of voters choosing to leave.

At the time, I wrote that “economic fallout of the decision will likely be decidedly negative for the UK.” Shortly, thereafter, I added that “As the shock waves began to be felt throughout the UK, it became apparent that many already have “buyer’s remorse” and had absolutely no idea the effects that their votes would have and now wish they had selected to ‘Bremain’.”

Foregoing the benefits of the free flow of goods and services as well as workers was difficult to overcome, in addition to other considerations. Ten years later, the data clearly indicates that Brexit has indeed severely harmed the UK economy.

A recent study by the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research found that, by 2025, Brexit had reduced UK Gross Domestic Product by 6% to 8%, with investment reduced by 12% and 18%, employment by 3% to 4%, and productivity by 3% to 4% from what it would have been otherwise. It is noteworthy that, given the time required for implementation, the split didn’t formally occur until December 2020, and the gap between economic growth and what might have been will almost certainly continue to widen.

Clearly, other factors have affected the rate of expansion of the UK economy since Brexit. From the pandemic and its aftermath to energy and fiscal policy, the challenges have been significant. However, leaving the EU alone has been a significant and quantifiable factor due to the uncertainty and disruptions that it caused.

There is some parallel to tariff and trade policies which the United States has been implementing in the past few years. The UK removed itself from a large and powerful trading bloc, much as the US has withdrawn from trade agreements and implemented tariff barriers. The US has also reduced immigration, another similarity to Brexit.

Global economies face myriad challenges including wars (and related energy issues) and demographic shifts. Adding unnecessary difficulties by restricting trade and the flow of capital and labor by ‘Brexiting’ was an unfortunate choice with long-term implications for growth. The EU wasn’t perfect for the UK--no such situation can be--but going it alone has curbed prosperity to a measurable extent. The US should take heed!

Stay safe!

McAllen, InnovationTX, Demo Day, McAllen Chamber of Commerce, McAllen Economic Development Corporation, MEDC, Elizabeth Suarez, Jorge Sanchez, Isaac Tawil, Javier Villalobos, entrepreneurship, small business, CrossFlip, Manifiq, FurBaby Bakery

Staff Report

McAllen TX - The McAllen Chamber of Commerce and McAllen Economic Development Corporation spotlighted the Rio Grande Valley’s next wave of entrepreneurs during the first-ever InnovationTX Demo Day Pitch Competition on Friday, June 26, 2026, at the McAllen Creative Incubator.

More than 20 InnovationTX graduates showcased their products and services throughout the day, with eight presenting in a head-to-head pitch competition delivered in English and Spanish for a combined prize pool of up to $15,000. Concepts ranged from technology that streamlines international trade to a medical therapy device and a bakery designed exclusively for pets.

Competition Winners

• First place: Oshun Cruz, CrossFlip LLC, $8,000

• Second place: Carlos Ramirez, Manifiq Co., $5,000

• Third place: Marcia Trujillo, FurBaby Bakery, $2,000

Prior to announcing the winners, Mayor Javier Villalobos addressed participants. “You may win, you may not win, but in life I’ve realized that as long as you’re in the game you have a chance,” he said.

Program Background

InnovationTX is an eight-week program that teaches entrepreneurs how to identify their customer base, connect with it, and sell to it. This year marked the program’s seventh cohort.

“It’s the first time that we’re doing Demo Day,” said Jorge Sanchez, McAllen Chamber of Commerce senior vice president of small business and innovation. “It’s the culmination of an eight-week program that teaches entrepreneurs how to identify their customer base, how to connect to it, and how to sell to it.”

City Manager Isaac J. Tawil noted the program’s measurable results. Of the 83 entrepreneurs who completed InnovationTX, 25 were launch-ready and five had already formed new businesses in McAllen. The program delivered more than $174,000 in business education and professional consulting, much of it donated by local business leaders.

“When you combine that investment with the business activity generated by these new companies, the estimated economic impact is nearly $680,000,” Tawil said. “For the City of McAllen, this is a straightforward decision. When a program produces measurable results, creates new businesses, and strengthens the local economy, it is exactly the kind of investment we should be making.”

Elizabeth Suarez, President and CEO of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and MEDC, said the event reflected the program’s broader mission.

“Every successful business begins with an idea, but behind every idea is a person willing to take a risk,” Suarez said. “Programs like Innovation Texas and Demo Days exist to make sure those entrepreneurs don’t have to take that journey alone.”

Suarez also pointed to past program alumni as evidence of the program’s community impact. “We’ve seen what happens when our community invests in people. Lamar Jones transformed an idea into Jank BBQ Sauce, now sold across Texas. Reyna Landa built a small family venture into Karla’s Boutique, creating opportunities that have impacted generations. Those stories remind us that entrepreneurship isn’t just economic development, it’s community development.”

Evening Session

Demo Day continued into the evening with “How to Break a Business,” a candid panel discussion moderated by Mayor Villalobos at the Old Church, featuring entrepreneurs Joshua Howard of Brand Geniuz and Salvador Torres of Satori, who shared business failures and the lessons they produced.

“Demo Day shows you what it looks like when an idea works,” Sanchez said. “’How to Break a Business’ shows you what it looks like when it doesn’t — and that’s just as valuable. The entrepreneurs who learn from someone else’s missteps are the ones who avoid repeating them.”

The event was sponsored by the City of McAllen, Tori Pollo Palenque, Zoho, Palenque Grill, Atlas Hall & Rodriguez LLP, Taco Palenque, Lorena Castillo CPA, WILD 104, and Davila & Associates Inc.

The McAllen Chamber and MEDC are already planning an expanded version of the event for 2027. Updates will be available on the McAllen Chamber of Commerce’s social media platforms.

Source - McAllen Chamber of Commerce and McAllen Economic Development Corporation

McAllen Creative Incubator, InnovationTX, Entrepreneurship, Pitch Competition, Economic Development, McAllen TX

Staff Report

McAllen TX - The City of McAllen will present the InnovationTX Demo Day Pitch Competition on Friday, June 26, from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the McAllen Creative Incubator, 601 N. Main St.

The event brings together entrepreneurs, business leaders, educators, and ecosystem partners for a day focused on innovation, opportunity, and entrepreneurship. Founders will compete for up to $15,000 in prizes while showcasing the businesses they are building in McAllen.

Seating is limited. Reservations are available at eventbrite.com.

Source - City of McAllen

McAllen Public Library, Job Fair, Workforce Solutions, Employment, McAllen TX

Staff Report

McALLEN TX - The McAllen Public Library and Workforce Solutions will host a job fair Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Main Library, 4001 N. 23rd St.

The free event will bring together employers from across the region, giving job seekers the opportunity to meet directly with hiring representatives, learn about available positions, and make professional connections. Attendees are encouraged to bring a résumé.

The event is open to anyone searching for a first job, a career change, or a new professional opportunity.

For more information, call the library’s Information Desk at (956) 681-3061 or visit mcallenlibrary.net.

Auxiliary aids and services are available to individuals with disabilities. TTY/TDD users may contact Relay Texas at 711 or 1-800-735-2989. Voice users may call 1-800-735-2988.

Source - McAllen Public Library and Workforce Solutions

McAllen, REFRESH 50|50, Storefront Revitalization, Small Business, Economic Development, McAllen TX

Staff Report

McAllen TX - The City of McAllen is inviting commercial property owners to apply for matching grant funding through its REFRESH 50|50 Storefront Revitalization Grant Program, with more than $600,000 currently available and the maximum grant award raised from $15,000 to $25,000 per project.

The program provides matching funds for exterior improvements including painting, landscaping, signage, lighting, ADA accessibility enhancements, façade upgrades, and other projects that enhance curb appeal and customer experience. Eligible projects must be located within designated commercial corridors, including portions of 10th Street, Business 83, 23rd Street, South Ware Road, and Downtown McAllen. Projects must receive city approval before work begins, and grant funds are reimbursed upon completion.

Since launching in 2019, the program has funded 129 storefront improvement projects citywide, generating more than $1.37 million in total investment. Since Sept. 1, 2025, the city’s Office of Retail and Business Development has awarded $144,034.10 in REFRESH 50|50 grants during the current fiscal year.

Mayor Javier Villalobos encouraged business owners to take advantage of the funding. “McAllen is growing, businesses are investing, and we want to help accelerate that momentum,” Villalobos said. “With more than $600,000 still available, this is an opportunity for business owners to improve their properties with the support of a city that believes in reinvestment. When businesses invest in McAllen, McAllen invests back.”

City Manager Isaac J. Tawil framed the program as a direct investment in the people behind McAllen’s economic growth. “McAllen’s economic success starts with the small business owners who open their doors every day and believe in this community,” Tawil said. “REFRESH 50|50 is about investing in people. We want entrepreneurs and property owners to know that the city sees their effort, values their contribution, and is committed to helping them succeed.”

The announcement comes as McAllen reported nearly $100 million in annual sales tax revenue in 2025 and approximately $5 billion in taxable sales.

Business and property owners are encouraged to apply while funding remains available. For program information or to apply, visit refresh5050.com.

Source - City of McAllen Office of Retail and Business Development

McAllen News, McAllen burg TX News, UTRGV, Business resources showcase

Staff Report

Edinburg, TX - The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Office of Workforce & Economic Development will host the UTRGV Business Resource Showcase: Regional Information Series on March 31 in Pharr, featuring presentations and a resource fair focused on business support programs and regional partnerships. The event will highlight services and initiatives designed to assist entrepreneurs, small businesses and organizations across the Rio Grande Valley, including participation opportunities for Edinburg-area stakeholders.

Program details

The event is scheduled for Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at the Pharr Global Business Hub, located at 301 S. Cage Blvd. Registration and networking will begin at 1:30 p.m., followed by program presentations from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The showcase will include informational sessions and a resource fair featuring UTRGV leadership, program representatives and regional partners.

Topics scheduled for discussion include small business resources, start-up incubation programs and internship partnership opportunities. Additional subject areas include government contracting, business consulting, professional development and continuing education programs available through UTRGV and partner organizations.

Regional relevance

The event is part of a regional information series highlighting workforce development resources and economic initiatives available throughout the Rio Grande Valley, including Edinburg. Organizers state the showcase is designed to provide a centralized setting for businesses, entrepreneurs and organizations to learn about available support programs and partnership opportunities.

Source -- University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Office of Workforce & Economic Development

The amount of natural gas produced and marketed in the United States reached a record high in 2025, up by 5.3 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) to average 118.5 Bcf/d, according to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). About two thirds of production occurs in three regions--Appalachia, the Permian Basin, and the Haynesville Shale. These three areas accounted for 81% of the growth last year.

The Appalachia region in the northeastern US produced 31%, followed by the Permian Basin with 23%. Production growth in Appalachia had been slowing due to pipeline constraints, but the situation is improving.

Permian Basin growth

The Permian Basin experienced the largest gain (up 11%), about half of overall gains last year. Most of the growth in the region is due to associated gas produced along with oil, and during much of 2025 crude prices were high enough to support significant activity.

Production is also expanding in the Haynesville region of Louisiana and Texas. Wells are more expensive to develop in that area, but proximity to liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals reduces transportation costs.

The Gulf Coast connection

Virtually all LNG facilities are located along the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana. Exports have grown sharply over the past decade, from near zero in 2016 to 569.3 billion cubic feet for the month of December 2025. The US is now the largest source of LNG shipments, and current construction could double capacity over the next few years. It is noteworthy that, even with this growth, natural gas prices have not risen substantially, and, in fact, hit a low not seen in decades in March 2024.

Pipelines from the Permian Basin connect to the Gulf Coast, and the addition of new lines in recent years has somewhat reduced an extreme shortage of takeaway capacity. What was once a major problem, having too much associated gas stuck in West Texas (as proven by extremely low and even negative prices at times at the nearby Waha hub), has become a valuable resource.

Exports

The rapid growth in US LNG exports is beneficial from a variety of perspectives. It provides access to additional markets for US production, supporting development of resources and infrastructure. It has also been crucial to energy security in Europe and Asia. For example, since Russia invaded Ukraine, US LNG has been crucial to filling the gap in Europe and preventing a major supply crisis. The rapid expansion of energy-intensive AI data centers is also spurring demand for domestic use to generate electricity.

Development of the US natural gas market and LNG capacity stabilizes critical access, thus reducing supply shocks and price escalation during major geopolitical conflicts. As recent events have dramatically demonstrated, that can be very good thing!

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Dr. M. Ray Perryman

In a few months, we will celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The importance of that monumental event to the world as we know it today was heightened by something else that occurred a few months earlier. March 9, 1776, saw the original publication of Scottish philosopher Adam Smith’s seminal work, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.

The “Invisible Hand”

This treatise was a weighty tome, difficult to slog through and inclusive of digressions that seemed interminable. It was not greeted with any particular fanfare, yet it provided a framework for the notion of organizing an entire economy around markets. Drawing heavily on the tenets of Natural Law that dominated thinking at the time, it described the market as an “Invisible Hand” acting as a guiding force in the decisions of producers, workers, and other economic actors through basic incentives. The idea is that by acting in their own self interest and informed by signals such as prices and wages, individuals simultaneously promote the good of society. There have been myriad refinements over time, but the basic precepts remain intact.

Although markets as places of commerce date back to ancient civilizations, this book was one of the first explanations of how they could also function as the organizing mechanism for economies. It also set forth frameworks for new ways of thinking about key topics such as the division of labor, where production is broken down into specific tasks to increase productivity.

Jefferson embraced Smith’s ideas

As you may remember from Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson “missed the eighties,” having lived in France between 1784 and 1789. While there, he became engrossed in the notions of The Enlightenment and acquired a three-volume set of The Wealth of Nations, which he later described as the best book about money and commerce that existed. (He later acquired a second set, and I have been fortunate enough to hold both of his copies in my hands.) Jefferson often quoted from the book, and it clearly influenced his ideas surrounding the structure of the new United States.

As the government was being formed in the late 1780s, that influence resulted in the formation of not only a republic, but one based on the notions of markets and capitalism being the driving force in the fledgling economy. It was a unique structure at the time, and it has made all the difference.

An independent republic and a market-based economy

The combination of those two things–an independent republic and a market-based economy–and the freedoms that they brought have allowed the United States to become the most prosperous country in the history of the world. Dr. Smith’s epistle deserves its own moment of celebration!

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Photo Caption: For the first time in the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas College, the RGV Partnership, the North American Development (NAD) Bank and Trust for the Americas are joining forces to address and meet the demands of a shrinking water and wastewater workforce through an initiative called Skills for Sustainability (S4S). STC is taking the lead on this workforce training with a new Level 1 Wastewater Operator Training program recently presented to municipalities at RGV Partnership. Photo courtesy STC Communications.

Amanda Sotelo, STC Communications

For the first time in the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas College, the RGV Partnership, the North American Development (NAD) Bank and Trust for the Americas are joining forces to address and meet the demands of a shrinking water and wastewater workforce through an initiative called Skills for Sustainability (S4S).

Trust for Americas is an organization that empowers underrepresented individuals with the skills to thrive through employability, entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives, and S4S is its flagship workforce development initiative along the U.S.-Mexico border, first introduced in El Paso and Cuidad Juarez, funded by NADBank and focused on water, energy and waste management sectors.

A call-to-action

Leading training efforts for this initiative, STC’s Carlos Margo, Ph.D., dean for Center for Advanced Training and Apprenticeships (CATA), called this initiative a call-to-action because of the increasing demand for a skilled water and wastewater workforce.

As a result, STC is creating a brand-new Level 1 Wastewater Operator Training program, set to begin in October 2026. The course, still in the planning and design phase, will be accredited through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), include 20 contact hours and offer classroom, lab and internship instruction.

“These trainings are essential, highly relevant and provide career pathways for those who complete them,” said Margo. “At STC, our department is all about workforce training, providing classes across the entire Rio Grande Valley from Starr County to Brownsville. We already work with over 150 employers who request our training to reskill and upskill their workforce with instruction tailored to fit their specific needs. Being part of this initiative is one more way we are expanding our reach and enhancing the RGV.”

Heavy Equipment Operator Training

As part of Skills for Sustainability, STC will also offer its Heavy Equipment Operator Training program, a 108-hour, comprehensive program that combines classroom instruction with hands-on training with dozers, excavators, skid steers and motor graders, including operation, safety and precision techniques.

The S4S initiative set to launch over the next few months has proven successful with 431 graduates and a 90% job placement rate across El Paso and Juarez, helping El Paso Water close its entry-level staffing gap and enabling career advancement for senior staff.

In the RGV, S4S will serve Hidalgo, Willacy, Starr and Cameron Counties, beginning with 19 incumbent workers at McAllen Public Utilities in backhoe safety, environmental stewardship and workforce readiness. It will also train 30 new participants from low-income communities for entry-level water and wastewater roles and TCEQ certification.

Partnerships

Regional Program Manager at Trust for Americas – Washington, D.C., Lourdes Serrano and Project Manager Jorge Marquez expressed their gratitude to all local partners collaborating in this initiative, including the former Texas Workforce Commission Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez, Workforce Solutions Lower Rio Grande Valley and local economic development corporations, that will provide strategic support and matching funds.

“We’re going to be seeing at least 30-50% of the U.S. water and wastewater workforce retire within the next decade,” said Marquez. “The core model of S4S will include structured needs assessments, close partnerships, tailored curricula and secured hiring commitments to ensure participants have a clear pathway to stable employment. This will strengthen the regional water workforce by expanding proven, demand-driven training into RGV communities, and with our established partnerships, we can make this another successful project.”

From partnership personalization to placement and reporting, S4S is a 10-month project set to run through January 2027.

For more information on S4S and customized training provided by STC CATA, visit southtexascollege.edu/cata/.

Dr. M. Ray PerrymanPe

Despite a wealth of natural resources, Venezuela has been facing prolonged upheaval, punctuated by hyperinflation, corruption, and a resultant humanitarian crisis. Recent developments, including the US removal of Nicolas Maduro, offer hope for meaningful improvement, though the situation is still evolving. Given the country’s vast oil reserves, the changing dynamics have also naturally raised questions related to the implications for global energy markets.

With more resources than any other country--some 300 billion barrels--Venezuela represents an important potential source of future oil and gas. There are various ways to measure reserves, and Venezuela tops them all.

Insufficient infrastructure

However, significant challenges must be confronted before production can meaningfully increase, and it will take years to overcome a variety of issues. One problem is that the necessary infrastructure is insufficient, outdated, and extensively damaged. Substantial capital investments would be required, and energy-related infrastructure is but one of many aspects of the economy and society requiring immediate attention.

The government also remains somewhat unstable, with various factions attempting to gain power. In addition, critical structural aspects of the economy are currently problematic, particularly currency and the banking system. This substantial uncertainty will deter major long-term private investments for any type of meaningful infrastructure.

Previous losses

Drilling and production outlays (including by US oil companies) will also take time to implement due to difficulties with property rights and the legal environment. Major energy firms have extensive and adverse prior experiences in Venezuela, including the loss of billions in private assets as fields and production were nationalized. Until confidence rises that the commitments will be protected, such activity remains unlikely. The risk-adjusted shareholder returns are not yet sufficient to attract resources as compared to other deployment alternatives.

The situation is evolving, and it is unclear whether it will be possible to substantially enhance oil and gas activity in the immediate horizon. Over time, it is possible that obstacles can be resolved and resources can be tapped, but given the measured pace of increase, major market reactions appear unlikely. Particularly relevant to the Texas energy sector, the crude in Venezuela is largely of the “heavy” variety, which is not a viable substitute for the oil produced in the Permian Basin and most other areas in the state. It could be beneficial to refineries in Texas, however, as many of them are designed to use this type of oil as one part of their mix.

Long and bumpy road

There are pressing needs in Venezuela to address shortages of basic necessities, and developing oil and gas reserves can provide much-needed capital inflows. However, it will be a long and likely bumpy process to ramp up production, and major effects on oil markets will tend to be muted in the near future.

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Photo Caption: STC is on the way to launching a first-of-its-kind Associate of Applied Science in Artificial Intelligence (AI) created to meet a growing demand for AI-skilled workers in the region by 2026. Photo courtesy of STC Communications

Joey Gomez, STC Communications

McAllen TX - South Texas College is launching a first-of-its-kind Associate of Applied Science in Artificial Intelligence (AI) created to meet a growing demand for AI-skilled workers in the region.

The new degree program is expected to open in the fall of 2026.

Over the next year, STC’s Cybersecurity program will finalize the new AI associate degree with direct input from industry and will align it with local workforce needs, according to program faculty who said the degree aims to prepare students for a rapidly growing job market.

Designed from scratch

“There are no templates for AI in the workforce catalog, so we designed every course from scratch based on industry needs,” said Cybersecurity Assistant Professor and Department Chair Francisco Salinas. “Our goal is to give students the skills, hands-on experience and certifications to qualify for the jobs of today and tomorrow. So, whether you go into healthcare, IT, cybersecurity or manufacturing, AI knowledge is becoming a must.”

The upcoming AI degree has already received initial approval including clearance from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and STC advisory committees, which represent local industry partners, and have been instrumental in guiding what skills and knowledge the program will deliver, ensuring it is tailored to the region’s workforce demands, according to Salinas.

Two options available

Students will have two options in the program – a one-year certificate track totaling about 16-30 credits or an associate degree requiring 60 credits. The certificate serves as the first half of the two-year degree, allowing students to continue seamlessly into the second year to complete an associate degree.

“I see real potential for growth, especially with this planned AI curriculum,” said Cybersecurity expert and current STC adjunct faculty Dirce Hernandez, who is already set to be among those full-time faculty starting with the new AI associate degree. “My background will always be cybersecurity, but I’m excited to eventually teach in STC’s AI program.”

Coursework will cover topics such as machine learning, Python programming, operating systems and database integration. Salinas emphasized that while programming like Python is already taught for Cybersecurity, the focus on AI will be on applying coding to build intelligent applications and robotics.

Partnership with tech giants

Salinas is also looking at partnerships with leading technology companies including Intel and Google to embed industry certifications into the degree. These certifications are highly valued by employers and serve as external validation of student skills.

“When students earn Google or Intel certifications, industry leaders recognize their abilities,” Salinas said.

While academic transfer pathways to universities may be limited because of the technical nature of the degree, STC has ensured students can transition into the college’s bachelor’s programs, particularly the Bachelor of Applied Technology in Computer Information Technology (BAT-CIT).

Similar to the existing Cybersecurity track, this pathway keeps all credits intact, allowing students to move directly into a bachelor’s degree without losing time.

Aligned with employer needs

By building the program with direct input from employers and aligning it with local needs, STC’s new AI associate degree aims to prepare students to adapt to exciting changes in the workforce as a result of AI, according to industry leaders.

“If you don’t get on board with AI, you’re going to be left behind. That’s true not just in IT or cybersecurity, but in marketing, HR, manufacturing and every other sector,” said Hernandez. “AI is already becoming a minimum requirement in job descriptions. Students who ignore it will struggle to compete in the job market. The smart students will use AI to enhance their skills and make themselves more efficient and attractive to employers.”

Salinas stressed that AI is already mainstream and students who do not learn it risk being left behind in the workforce.

AI now a critical skill

“It doesn’t matter if you embrace AI or not because industries already expect you to know it,” Salinas said. “Whether you go into healthcare, IT, Cybersecurity or manufacturing, AI knowledge is becoming a must.”

For more information on STC’s AI program, visit www.southtexascollege.edu/academics/cybersecurity/ or call 956-872-3461.