McAllen Economic Development Corporation

For more than 20 years, BorderFest has united and reinforced the strong relationship and friendship between South Texas and Reynosa, Mexico. This year, Reynosa Mayor Oscar Lubbert and Hidalgo, TX Mayor John David Franz participated in the annual “abrazo” or hug and exchanged gifts. They meet at the middle of the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge.

This event features music, events, dancers, rides and incredible food.

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McAllen Economic Development Corporation is happy to be a sponsor of the Technology Entrepreneurship Workshop being hosted by UTPA on Friday, March 5th. The event is free of charge and will host Kimberly Watson Hemphill, author of Fast Innovation, as keynote speaker. Please see below and the attached agenda for additional details about the event.

WHAT: The University of Texas-Pan American is again offering opportunities to learn more about entrepreneurship and technology commercialization. The event is to foster and support regional technology based economic development. FibeRio Technology Corporation, Photon 8, and Scantech are the most recent demonstrations that the region has sustainable competitive advantages that enhance lucrative enterprises. The event includes a keynote presentation by Kimberly Watson Hemphill, author of Fast Innovation, with focuses on reducing time to market, increasing the new product success and speed balanced against the need for product differentiation. Other presentations focus on raising capital, lessons learned by a panel of technology entrepreneurs from Border startups, designing and manufacturing your technology as well as highlighting the benefits of the region for manufacturing and scaling up your production.

WHO: The March 5th event is open to interested entrepreneurs, students and the public and now free thanks to the generous support of our sponsors. Registration is available by calling 956-318-8947 or emailing beckam@utpa.edu .
WHEN: March 5th, 2010 Registration at 8AM The Bootcamp will start 8:30AM at the Engineering Auditorium on UTPA’s Campus , 1201 W. University Drive, Edinburg, TX. Parking information provided after registration. For more information, contact 956-318-8947.
SPONSORS: UTPA partners for the event include EDCO Ventures, Edinburg Economic Development Corporation, MBA Alumni Association, Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center of South Texas, Lower Rio Grande Valley Workforce Solutions, McAllen Economic Development Corporation, Rapid Response Manufacturing Center, South Texas Manufacturing Association, North American Advanced Manufacturing Research and Education Initiative, and the Small Business Development Center.
This is the second year UTPA has hosted technology entrepreneurship events according to UTPA Director of Innovation and Intellectual Property, Jackie Michel. Michel said “the event serves as an example of how the Rio South Texas region is collaborating to foster technology-based economic development, especially in the technology areas.” “The goal of the conference is to provide access to knowledge regarding entrepreneurship, technology commercialization and to provide networking with technology entrepreneurs at the different stages of their company development. We want those interested in technology entrepreneurship to have access to tools and resources and the networks the need to be successful,” Michel said.

Victoria Learn, MEDC Events, Uncategorized UTPA

Dr. Cayetano Barrera, historian, local doctor and past-president of the McAllen Economic Development Corporation has pushed for the creation of a monument on the Texas Capitol Grounds that honors Tejano culture.

Barrera said: “Time makes more converts than reason. It was not fashionable to have Spanish and Mexican history in our books. This, I don’t think, could have happened 30 years ago. But times change.”

The Texas Historical Preservation Board approved the site and design of the monument in January. The Tejano Monument Inc. still has to raise more than $500,000 to cover any cost over-runs for the bronze casting, insurance for the monument and the eventual unveiling ceremony, which could draw thousands of people, said the group’s co-Vice President Renato Ramirez.

For the full story, click here.

Victoria Live, Uncategorized Dr. Cayetano Barrera, Tejano Monument

The recent edition of Site Selection magazine discussed some of the strategic reasons why companies were choosing Mexico as their location of choice. The Anzalduas International Bridge, which opened in December 2009 and connects Reynosa and McAllen, provides companies with an efficient route from points south of the border to the North American market. It is located on the west side of both cities, where there are more than 20 secure, modern industrial parks.

Click here to read the article.

Victoria Anzalduas Bridge, Reynosa, Work Anzalduas International Bridge, Site Selection

Recently, The Monitor, along with local chambers of commerce, ranked the best places to eat in McAllen. Lucky for McAllen, the city offers amazing restaurants offering food from all over. Of course, McAllen offers amazing Mexican food.

Click here to read the full list.

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The Census Bureau will be holding a job fair this week in McAllen to fill the approximate 2,500 available jobs.

Click here to learn more.

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Come here from the managers, experts and other people linked to the South Texas Manufacturing Summit today at South Texas College-Technical Campus. The events starts at 8 am and continues until 3 p.m.

The Technical campus is located at the intersection of Military Highway and Ware Road. Call 956.682.2875 if you have any questions.

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Officials at the McAllen-Miller International Airport have announced increased flights out of city’s airport. With service beginning on June 10, Delta Airlines will offer a third daily flight from McAllen to Memphis, Tennessee. Flights will depart McAllen at 5:45 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 4:30 p.m.

According to a news release:
MEMPHIS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS A HUB FOR DELTA AIRLINES AND IS CONSIDERED A LEADER OF ON-TIME ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES. IT IS KNOWN AS AMERICA’S “HASSLE FREE” HUB, BOASTING THE SHORTEST CONNECTION TIME OF ANY CONNECTING HUB IN THE UNITED STATES FOR BOTH DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS.

Victoria Live, Uncategorized, Work Delta, McAllen-Miller International Airport, Memphis

The City of McAllen has kick started a citywide campaign to promote green business and green living. The city of about 130,000 has received numerous recognitions for its composting and recycling programs; and now is taking a pro-active approach with its citizens and businesses. McAllen Mayor Richard Cortez used his 2010 State of the City speech to discuss some of the new programs and marketing efforts to encourage a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle. Learn more about his speech here

Visit McAllen’s new GREEN web site by clicking here

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According to a recent report from the Associated Press, Mexico’s homicide rate is less than it was 10 years ago. And it is about the same as Los Angeles and 1/3 less than Washington D.C. Mexico City’s rate was about 9 per 100,000 in 2008, while Washington, D.C. was more than 30 that year, according to the rate.

While drug-related violence continues in some Mexican cities, this report does indicate that business and tourism continues throughout the country. To read the full AP report, click here

The McAllen Economic Development Corporation closely works with city officials and clients in Reynosa, Tamaulipas – a border.

Victoria Live, Reynosa, Uncategorized homicide rate, Mexico