Business
Business news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
BusinessHarlingen EDC Co-Sponsors Regional Forum on Power, Water and Workforce Demands
The Harlingen Economic Development Corporation co-sponsored the "Powering Texas & Regional Growth: Infrastructure + Workforce Exchange" forum, focusing on the region's power, water, and workforce needs. Key speakers included Mike Hoke from the Public Utility Commission of Texas and various industry leaders. Discussions highlighted significant investments like Saronic Technologies' $3.2 billion project at the Port of Brownsville and SpaceX's expansion, which are increasing demand for resources. Local workforce initiatives aim to prepare residents for new industrial jobs, with organizations like RGV LEAD connecting students to career opportunities. The event emphasized collaboration among various sectors to secure future growth in the Rio Grande Valley.
BusinessWorkforce Solutions Jobs Update, 8-17-26
Texas Workforce Solutions is hosting several job events this week. On Tuesday, August 18, a hiring event will take place from 9 AM to 12 PM at Workforce Solutions South McAllen, located at 2101 S. 2nd St., McAllen, TX. Concurrently, an information session for the U.S. Border Patrol will be held at Workforce Solutions Edinburg, 2719 W. University Dr., Edinburg, TX. A job fair in Mercedes is scheduled for Wednesday, August 19, from 9 AM to 12 PM at the Mercedes Dome Shelter, 1202 N. Vermont Ave., Mercedes, TX. Another hiring event by ReadyMen Staffing Services will be on Thursday, August 20, at the same McAllen location, and a CAPA hiring event is set for Friday, August 21, from 9 AM to 1 PM at Workforce Solutions Mission, 901 Travis St., Ste. 7, Mission, TX.
BusinessLone Star National Bank Named Inaugural Title Sponsor of Mission Small Business Expo
Lone Star National Bank has been named the inaugural title sponsor of the Mission Small Business Expo, as announced by the Mission Economic Development Corporation. The expo is set for September 16 at the Mission Event Center and aims to connect local entrepreneurs with customers and resources. Admission is free, and around 60 small businesses will showcase their offerings. The event will feature workshops, food trucks, and a pitch competition, with keynote speaker Andrew Davis, an expert in artificial intelligence and small business. The bank, headquartered in McAllen, supports local businesses and has expanded throughout South Texas since its establishment in 1983.
BusinessAvocado pickers in Mexico welcome restart of exports to US, but security fears remain
Avocado pickers in Michoacán, Mexico, are relieved as U.S. authorities lifted a security alert that had halted avocado exports. Francisco Isidro, a picker, quickly returned to work, filling boxes for the U.S. market after several days of uncertainty. The alert was triggered by security concerns related to local cartels. With over 200,000 workers affected, the resumption of exports is crucial for the industry, which sends nearly 4,800 tons of avocados daily to the U.S. Despite increased military presence aimed at improving safety, many remain cautious about potential violence and extortion in the region.
Business'You don’t get those back': Avocado industry feels impact of inspection shutdown
PHARR, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Avocado inspections in Michoacán, Mexico, have resumed after the U.S. temporarily halted them over security concerns, disrupting operations for importers in the Rio Grande Valley. The U.S. Department of Agriculture paused inspections last week, preventing companies from harvesting, packing and shipping avocados without USDA inspectors on site. For Villita Avocados in
BusinessThis is what the first 'smartphone' in history looked like, created by Nokia 30 years ago
Exactly 30 years ago, the Finnish technology company Nokia released one of its most iconic mobile devices, the Nokia 9000 Communicator, a groundbreaking high-end device for its time that many consider the first 'smartphone' in history. The Communicator was unveiled in March 1996 at the CeBIT technology fair in Hannover, Germany, and went on sale five months later, on August 15, eleven years before the American giant Apple would definitively transform the mobile phone market with the launch of its first iPhone. Designed as a cell phone for executives, it was four centimeters thick, weighed almost 400 grams—double that of a modern smartphone—and cost the same as a mid-range personal computer, around $2,550. It was marketed by Nokia with the slogan 'the office in your back pocket' because it allowed users to send faxes and emails, connect to the internet via an integrated modem, and work with applications similar to those on a personal computer, such as spreadsheets, electronic calendars, and word processors.
BusinessSBA Unveils 90% Federal Guarantee on Energy Sector Loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has introduced a new 90% Energy Guarantee for small businesses involved in energy production. This initiative, part of the SBA International Trade Loan (ITL) Program, aims to boost energy capacity, reduce costs, and enhance supply chains. The enhanced guarantee encourages lenders to invest in various sectors, including energy production and distribution. Small businesses in specific NAICS codes related to energy extraction and mining can now access this financing. The SBA has previously launched similar guarantees for food production and manufacturing, totaling over $192 million in approved capital since May.
BusinessSmart Shopping Strategies to Avoid Counterfeit Merchandise This Back-to-School Season
As back-to-school shopping ramps up, parents are urged to be vigilant against counterfeit merchandise. With the season being a prime target for fraudsters, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported seizing over 79.4 million counterfeit items valued at more than $7.4 billion in fiscal year 2025. These fakes can pose serious health risks, including contaminated contact lenses and faulty electronics. To avoid falling victim, shoppers should be cautious of unusually low prices, verify sellers, and check product details. Reporting suspicious items can also aid in combating counterfeit goods and protecting families.
BusinessLatest Data Centers Committing to Compliance with Texas Data Center Standards
Governor Greg Abbott has announced that several major companies, including Galaxy, Compass Datacenters, Montera Infrastructure, Amazon, Lancium, and Cipher Digital, will adhere to new Texas data center standards. These guidelines aim to protect the electric grid, conserve water, and ensure that data centers do not impose costs on Texas families. The Public Utilities Commission of Texas (PUCT) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) will oversee compliance, requiring data centers to disclose financial incentives and ensure minimal disruption to local communities. Companies failing to comply risk losing project approval.
BusinessCheck Your Account: Carriers Begin Issuing Refunds for Tariffs
If you purchased something from a foreign seller last year, it might be time to check your bank account. Some carriers, including FedEx and UPS, which acted as customs agents for imported packages and received tariff refunds from the U.S. government, have started passing those refunds on to the customers who originally paid the tariffs. The refunds to consumers are the final step in a months-long process that began in February when the Supreme Court struck down broad tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump in March 2025 under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 on goods from nearly all countries. The high court ordered the government to return the tariffs it collected. So far, approximately $100 billion in tariffs have been refunded to the companies that paid them, under a system established by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
BusinessFrom 800 acres to agritourism in four acres: Farmer adapts to survive labor shortage
ALAMO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Farmers across the Rio Grande Valley are feeling the impact of a shrinking agricultural workforce. Steven Obst, owner of Obst Family Farm, says finding reliable workers can be especially difficult for smaller farms. “It's hard to find people who are reliable and who would come for a smaller farmer because they
BusinessPharr EDC’s Workforce Job Fair Connecting Local Employers with Job Seekers, August 25th
The Pharr Economic Development Corporation (Pharr EDC) is hosting a Career & Connections Job Fair on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Jose “Pepe” Salinas Event Center in Pharr. This event aims to connect local employers with job seekers, providing access to various employment opportunities. Over 20 employers from different industries are expected to participate. Job seekers can meet employers, submit résumés, and learn about available positions. Pharr EDC encourages individuals to prepare by visiting their centers for resume assistance and interview preparation prior to the fair.
BusinessWorkforce Solutions Receives $85,924 High Demand Job Training Grant
Workforce Solutions Lower Rio Grande has received an $85,924 High Demand Job Training Grant from the Texas Workforce Commission. This funding will provide training for 80 students in Accounting and Financial Services, allowing them to earn a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Tax Counseling Certification. Additionally, the grant will support the purchase of instructional equipment for programs in Construction, Welding, and Culinary Arts, enhancing hands-on learning. The initiative aims to align training with local workforce needs and strengthen partnerships with economic development organizations to prepare students for high-demand careers in the region.
BusinessMicrosoft, Hut 8, and Equinix Commit to Updated Data Center Guidelines
Governor Greg Abbott announced that Microsoft, Hut 8, and Equinix will adhere to new standards for data centers in Texas. These guidelines aim to protect the electric grid, conserve water, and ensure that data centers do not impose costs on local families. Abbott emphasized that data centers must pay for their own infrastructure and not disrupt neighborhoods. The Public Utilities Commission of Texas (PUCT) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) will review projects for compliance, ensuring transparency and accountability. Companies failing to meet these standards risk having their project approvals denied.
Business'Crops cannot wait': Valley farmers sound alarm over labor shortage as labor secretary visits
MONTE ALTO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Rio Grande Valley farmers say a shortage of agricultural workers is leaving some crops to rot in the fields as another harvest season approaches. The issue was front and center Wednesday as Acting U.S. Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling and U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz toured Rio Farms in Monte
BusinessAdam Gonzalez Says Regional Partnerships Will Strengthen Manufacturing Growth
Adam Gonzalez, CEO of COSTEP, emphasized the importance of regional partnerships for manufacturing growth during a memorandum of understanding signing with the Clúster Eléctrico-Electrónico de Tamaulipas at the International Museum of Art & Science in McAllen. The agreement aims to enhance collaboration among manufacturers, educational institutions, and economic organizations across the border. Gonzalez noted that the partnership seeks to connect stakeholders and strengthen the manufacturing ecosystem in the region, which he described as united by shared industries and families. Sergio Arturo Treviño Ayala, president of the Tamaulipas cluster, echoed the vision for regional development.
BusinessGen Z Is Moving Money From Stocks to Sports Betting in Wealth Plans
Sports betting is increasingly competing with traditional investing for younger Americans’ attention, with more than a quarter of Gen Z investors saying they see gambling on sports as part of their lo...
BusinessCore Scientific, Vantage Data Centers & SB Energy Commit to Comply with Texas Data Center Standards
Governor Greg Abbott announced that Core Scientific, Vantage Data Centers, and SB Energy will adhere to the new standards for data centers in Texas. These guidelines aim to ensure that data centers do not burden Texas families with costs, protect the electric grid, conserve water, and respect local neighborhoods. The Public Utilities Commission of Texas and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas will review each project to ensure compliance. Companies that fail to meet these standards risk having their project approvals denied. Since the announcement, some data centers have either complied or decided to halt their projects.
BusinessGov. Abbott Helps Welcome New Buc-ee’s to San Marcos
Governor Greg Abbott attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Buc-ee’s store in San Marcos, Texas. He praised the company for its role in the Texas economy, noting that the new location will create over 170 jobs. Abbott presented a proclamation to Buc-ee’s Founder Arch Aplin and participated in the store's tradition of serving brisket to customers. The event also included San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson and other local officials. Buc-ee’s, known for its hospitality since 1982, now operates nearly 60 stores across the country, with the San Marcos location spanning 74,000 square feet.