Business
Business news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
BusinessBlackRock Expands Workforce Investment in Texas to Strengthen Skilled Trades Pipeline
BlackRock has announced a $30 million investment in Texas through its Future Builders initiative, aimed at enhancing skilled trades education. This initiative is expected to provide electrical training for over 12,000 Texans. The announcement was made at Texas State Technical College in Waco, with Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Joe Esparza in attendance. The Texas Association of Business emphasized the importance of aligning workforce training with employer needs and called for policy reforms to modernize credentialing processes. This investment is seen as crucial for meeting industry demands and supporting Texas' economic growth.
BusinessTexas Outpaces All States with Record Job Gains
Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that the state led the nation in job growth with an addition of 46,800 nonfarm jobs in March, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This brings Texas to a total of 14,403,500 jobs, marking a significant milestone. Over the past year, the state gained 117,200 jobs, surpassing the national growth rate. The Texas labor force now stands at 15,916,600, including 15,236,600 employed Texans. Since January 2015, Texas has added nearly 2.6 million jobs. Abbott also celebrated Texas receiving the 2026 Prosperity Cup for its business investment performance.
BusinessPort of Harlingen calls for rail and corridor upgrades to support Valley trade
During the RGV Connect panel, Walker Smith, CEO of the Port of Harlingen, emphasized the port's significant role in the Rio Grande Valley economy and called for enhanced rail and corridor connections. He highlighted the port's operations, which include handling refined fuels, fertilizers, and agricultural products, noting that 85% of its cargo is fuel. Smith stressed the need for improved infrastructure, particularly for rail, as the port currently has limited rail access. He mentioned ongoing investments of $10 million for upgrades and a planned $30 million rail expansion, underscoring the importance of coordinated regional advocacy for these developments.
Business'We didn’t know about these grants': Programs fuel Harlingen business growth
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Local businesses in Harlingen are getting a boost just in time for Small Business Week—and ahead of Mother’s Day shopping—thanks to community support and city-backed programs designed to help them grow and succeed. For business owner Kelly Cabrera, that support has made all the difference. What started as a small online operation
BusinessBalancing Economic Uncertainty with Steady Job Growth
Despite ongoing economic uncertainty, the job market in the U.S. has shown signs of stability. According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate remained at 4.3% in March, with 7.2 million people unemployed. However, there are troubling signs, such as a rise in long-term unemployment and an increase in individuals wanting jobs but not actively seeking them. Monthly job numbers fluctuated significantly, with an increase of 178,000 jobs in March following a decrease in February. While healthcare jobs are growing, other sectors like transportation and finance are struggling.
BusinessSome iPhone Owners May Receive Payments After Apple's $250 Million Settlement
Apple has reached a $250 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit regarding misleading advertising about the AI capabilities of its Siri virtual assistant. iPhone owners may receive cash payments of up to $95 after purchasing devices between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025, including the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 Pro models. The lawsuit claimed that Apple misled consumers about features that were not yet available, prompting them to buy the devices. Customers will be notified by email or mail on how to file a claim. Apple continues to develop its AI features amid competition from other tech giants.
BusinessDelta Eliminates Food and Beverage Service on Short Flights
Delta Air Lines will eliminate food and beverage service on short flights under 350 miles starting May 19. This change affects approximately 9% of Delta's daily flights, which total up to 5,500, including connections. Passengers on these shorter routes, such as JFK to Boston, will no longer receive snacks or drinks, although Delta First customers will continue to enjoy full service. Delta assures that crew members will remain available to assist customers even on flights without food service. Longer flights of 350 miles or more will still offer complimentary snacks and beverages, with expanded service on many routes.
BusinessTed Turner, founder of CNN and pioneer of 24-hour news, dies
American businessman Ted Turner, founder of CNN, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 87, the network reported. Born in 1938 in Cincinnati, Turner revolutionized the global news landscape with the launch of the first 24-hour news channel in 1980. He also built an influential media empire that included networks like TBS and TNT, establishing CNN as an international news reference.
BusinessGasoline costs 50 % more in the US than it did before the Iran war
Gasoline prices in the U.S. have surged by 50% since the onset of the Iran war, reaching an average of $4.48 per gallon after a recent increase of 31 cents. The global energy crisis, primarily due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has led to significant disruptions in oil supply, pushing crude oil prices to around $112 per barrel. Experts indicate that ongoing geopolitical tensions and reduced oil availability will continue to exert upward pressure on gasoline prices. Even with potential resolutions, it may take months for prices to stabilize to pre-war levels.
BusinessWeslaco Chamber hosts workshops, networking events for National Small Business Week
WESLACO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce is recognizing National Small Business Week, a time dedicated to businesses that uplift communities across the U.S. In honor of the dedicated week, the Weslaco Chamber is hosting community workshops and networking events. "We have a variety of activities that we're doing all week long
BusinessNew refreshers on the menu: How much caffeine does it contain?
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — As the weather gets hot, fast-food chains are hopping on the trend of adding refreshing beverages to their menus to cool you down. McDonald's recently added three refreshers to its menu in May, including mango pineapple with strawberry boba, strawberry watermelon, and blackberry passion fruit with freeze-dried dragon fruit. The fruit-flavored beverages
BusinessGovernor Celebrates Opening Of 460 MW Power Plant In Central Texas
Governor Greg Abbott celebrated the opening of the Constellation Pin Oak peaking power plant in Fairfield, Texas, which adds 460 megawatts of electricity to the state's grid. This facility is the first project funded by the Texas Energy Fund to come online, aimed at providing reliable power during peak demand periods. Abbott emphasized Texas's leadership in electrical generation and thanked Constellation Energy for its investment. The plant is designed to quickly supply electricity when demand is highest, contributing to the state's energy needs and reinforcing grid reliability, which has seen over 61,000 megawatts added in the last five years.
BusinessPlayStation Agrees to Pay $7.5 Million in Class Action Lawsuit: Who Qualifies?
PlayStation users may be eligible to claim a share of a proposed settlement that would resolve a class action lawsuit alleging that consumers overpaid for certain digital games. The lawsuit, filed in 2023 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, claimed that Sony 'illegally eliminated competition and monopolized' the market for Sony digital games, resulting in inflated prices for buyers in violation of antitrust laws. Sony denies the allegations, and the court has not determined that Sony engaged in any wrongdoing. A proposed settlement of $7,850,000 to resolve the claims received preliminary approval and remains pending before a federal court as of Monday. A hearing has been scheduled to determine whether the settlement will be approved, how the funds will be distributed among group members, and whether the lead attorney's request for payment of fees and legal expenses will be granted.
BusinessLa Plaza Mall to open four new stores this summer, including PopMart
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — La Plaza Mall has announced new stores and remodels happening this summer for guests to enjoy. In 2026, La Plaza Mall will open Ulta Beauty, Pop Mart, Psycho Bunny, and Perfumania. Coach and Lids will also be freshly remodeled this summer. Ulta Beauty is a beauty retail store, where shoppers will find
BusinessBCIC Appoints Daniel Silva as Vice President of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) has appointed Daniel Silva as Vice President of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, effective April 27, 2026. Silva has over 20 years of experience in economic development and entrepreneurship in the Rio Grande Valley. Previously, he was the Executive Director of the South Texas Vocational Technical Institute and held leadership roles at the Rio Grande Valley Partnership and the Mission Economic Development Corporation. In his new role, Silva will manage BCIC's initiatives like Startup Texas and the eBridge Center, aligning with the organization's Strategic Plan for 2025–2029 aimed at enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Brownsville.
BusinessThe latest at SpaceX with LabPadre: May 4
STARBASE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Over at pad two, the final ground-side checks are underway, with crews verifying the readiness of the tower's propellant handling systems and the launch pad's various moving parts. Liquid nitrogen was run through the pipes in the tower, chilling them to the loading temperature before the warmed gas was pushed through the
BusinessSBA Regional Leader Headlines Small Business Week Event, May 6th
On May 6, 2026, Justin Crossie, the SBA South Central Regional Administrator, will address attendees at the National Small Business Week luncheon. The event will take place from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM at the Knapp Conference Center located at 1401 E. 8th Street in Weslaco, Texas. During the luncheon, the SBA will honor lenders and small business winners from the Lower Rio Grande Valley's 14-county area. Crossie, who oversees SBA operations in five states, is dedicated to supporting small businesses, particularly in rural and underserved areas, by enhancing access to capital and resources for growth.
BusinessAdamari Davila Joins Terracon as Project Engineer in Pharr
Terracon, a prominent engineering consulting firm, has appointed Adamari Davila as a project engineer at its Pharr office. With six years of experience in geotechnical engineering, Davila has worked on various projects across South Texas and Mexico. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and is a licensed Professional Engineer. Davila developed her interest in geotechnical engineering during her studies and is eager to contribute to her new role by providing design guidance and collaborating with project teams. She looks forward to learning from her colleagues at Terracon.
BusinessTexas Wins 2026 Prosperity Cup to Sweep National Rankings
Texas has been awarded the 2026 Prosperity Cup by Site Selection magazine, recognizing it as the leading state for job-creating business investment. Governor Greg Abbott highlighted Texas's favorable business climate, which is supported by pro-growth policies and a skilled workforce. This marks the second consecutive year Texas has achieved this honor, having also received the Governor’s Cup for attracting the most new and expanded business projects for 14 years in a row. Texas excelled in ten categories including capital investment and workforce readiness, solidifying its status as a top destination for businesses.