Rio Grande Guardian

Title: Ramiro Garza
Runtime: 1:29
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: Esperanza Homes, in partnership with Rhodes and the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce, recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for two new communities, Sapphire at La Sienna and Villas at La Sienna. The event took place on Thursday, October 16th, at 4401 La Sienna Pkwy, Edinburg, Texas. Among those to speak at the event was Edinburg Mayor Ramiro Garza. Here are his remarks from the podium.

Title: Shant Samtani
Runtime: 2:12
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: Esperanza Homes, in partnership with Rhodes and the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce, recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for two new communities, Sapphire at La Sienna and Villas at La Sienna. The event took place on Thursday, October 16th, at 4401 La Sienna Pkwy, Edinburg, Texas. Among those to speak at the event was Shant Samtani, vice president of sales for Esperanza Homes. Here are his remarks from the podium.

Title: Nick Rhodes
Runtime: 1:27
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: Esperanza Homes, in partnership with Rhodes and the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce, recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for two new communities, Sapphire at La Sienna and Villas at La Sienna. The event took place on Thursday, October 16th, at 4401 La Sienna Pkwy, Edinburg, Texas. Among those to speak at the event was Nick Rhodes, president and CEO of Esperanza Homes. At the conclusion of the event, Rhodes gave an interview to the RGG Business Journal.

Title: Victor Perez
Runtime: 3:57
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: Pharr Economic Development Corporation held its annual Industrial Warehouse Summit on Oct. 5, 2025, at the Pharr Research & Development Center. Giving the wrap-up remarks was Victor Perez, president of Pharr EDC. This is how he closed out the event.

Title: Elizabeth Boyd
Runtime: 8:24
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: Pharr Economic Development Corporation held its annual Industrial Warehouse Summit on Oct. 5, 2025, at the Pharr Research & Development Center. Among the presenters was Elizabeth Boyd, business development manager for Magic Valley Electric Cooperative. Magic Valley is the third largest electric coop in Texas and has 280 employees. “Our rates are consistently the lowest,” Boyd said. “We are always thinking of our members.”

Title: Dante Galeazzi
Runtime: 2:12
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: The City of Pharr hosted its Start of the Produce Season 2025-26 celebration recently. One of the speakers was Dante Galeazzi, president and CEO of the Texas International Produce Association. Galeazzi pointed out that 22 million pounds of fresh produce crosses the Pharr International Bridge every day. “We’re feeding not one, not two, but three nations,” Galeazzi said, from the podium. “The produce here is coming from Mexico for communities far and wide, across this entire continent, but most importantly, the produce that comes through this bridge helps our communities here. It provides jobs, it provides business, it provides growth.” Here is an interview the Rio Grande Guardian secured with Galeazzi at the end of the event.

Title: Mike Willis
Runtime: 8:20
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: Pharr Economic Development Corporation recently hosted an event to celebrate Manufacturing Week. The event, which saw manufacturing companies interact with high school students, was held at the Pharr Research & Development Center. The aim was to tell students the benefits of working in manufacturing. One of the speakers was Mike Willis, executive director of the South Texas Manufacturers Association. Here are his remarks from the stage.

Title: Victor Perez
Runtime: 3:07
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: Pharr Economic Development Corporation recently hosted an event to celebrate Manufacturing Week. The event, which saw manufacturing companies interact with high school students, was held at the Pharr Research & Development Center. The aim was to tell students the benefits of working in manufacturing. One of the speakers was Victor Perez, president of Pharr EDC. Here are his remarks from the stage.

Title: David Ortiz
Runtime: 7:36
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: Pharr Economic Development Corporation recently hosted an event to celebrate Manufacturing Week. The event, which saw manufacturing companies interact with high school students, was held at the Pharr Research & Development Center. The aim was to tell students the benefits of working in manufacturing. One of the speakers was David Ortiz, director of the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center at UT-Rio Grande Valley. Here are his remarks from the stage.

Title: Tim Jones
Runtime: 8:18
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: Pharr Economic Development Corporation recently hosted an event to celebrate Manufacturing Week. The event, which saw manufacturing companies interact with high school students, was held at the Pharr Research & Development Center. The aim was to tell students the benefits of working in manufacturing. One of the speakers was Tim Jones, general manager of Universal Metal Products in Pharr. Here are his remarks from the stage.

Title: Eduardo "Eddie" Cantu Interview
Runtime: 1:55
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: Hidalgo County Precinct 2 Commissioner Eduardo “Eddie” Cantu hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, October 15, to celebrate the completion of the Las Milpas Road Extension Project. The event took place on Las Milpas Road, between 10th Street and McColl Road, on the Hidalgo side. The project extends Las Milpas Road to connect two key corridors, 10th Street and McColl. Cantu said the project was designed to improve traffic flow and accessibility for residents, schools, and businesses in the area. He pointed out that the project included construction of a new bridge where Las Milpas Road previously ended, creating a vital link for the community and enhancing regional mobility. Here is an interview the RGG Business Journal secured with Cantu at the end of the event.

Title: Sergio Coronado
Runtime: 1:32
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: Hidalgo County Precinct 2 Commissioner Eduardo “Eddie” Cantu hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, October 15, to celebrate the completion of the Las Milpas Road Extension Project. The event took place on Las Milpas Road, between 10th Street and McColl Road, on the Hidalgo side. The project extends Las Milpas Road to connect two key corridors, 10th Street and McColl. Cantu said the project was designed to improve traffic flow and accessibility for residents, schools, and businesses in the area. He pointed out that the project included construction of a new bridge where Las Milpas Road previously ended, creating a vital link for the community and enhancing regional mobility. One of the speakers at the event was Hidalgo Mayor Sergio Coronado. Here are Coronado’s remarks from the podium.

Title: Eduardo "Eddie" Cantu
Runtime: 6:56
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: Hidalgo County Precinct 2 Commissioner Eduardo “Eddie” Cantu hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, October 15, to celebrate the completion of the Las Milpas Road Extension Project. The event took place on Las Milpas Road, between 10th Street and McColl Road, on the Hidalgo side. The project extends Las Milpas Road to connect two key corridors, 10th Street and McColl. Cantu said the project was designed to improve traffic flow and accessibility for residents, schools, and businesses in the area. He pointed out that the project included construction of a new bridge where Las Milpas Road previously ended, creating a vital link for the community and enhancing regional mobility. Here are Cantu’s remarks from the podium.

Title: Linda Ufland
Runtime: 2:22
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: Linda Ufland is director of entrepreneurship, innovation and commercialization at UT-Rio Grande Valley’s Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center. In an exclusive interview with the RGG Business Journal, Ufland broke the news that her department had won a national award from the University Economic Development Association, a group that works with universities that have an active role in economic development. Last year, UEDA gave a National Award of Excellence to UTRGV for the eBridge center in Brownsville. This year, the same group gave the university a national award for RGV StartUp Week. “We are so excited,” Ufland said. In the interview, Ufland also talks about UTRGV ECC’s Kauffman FastTrac program. The interview took place at the Pharr Global Business Hub.

Title: Dr Cera Kroenke
Runtime: 7:50
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: Breast Cancer Awareness Month is upon us. Because of this, DHR Health's general surgeon, Dr. Cera Kroenke invited the Rio Grande Guardian to learn more about its Breast Center of Excellence. Kroenke pointed out that DHR is home to the only National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers - or NAPBC - accredited Breast Center of Excellence south of San Antonio. Kroenke said that at the Breast Center of Excellence, patients receive a complete spectrum of care, from initial breast screenings to breast cancer treatment and more. She said each patient is provided personalized care because DHR understands that each patient is unique.

Title: Fernando De Leon and Felida Villarreal
Runtime: 25:41
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: Fernando De Leon is founder and CEO of Leon Capital Group, a holding company overseeing 12 independently-managed subsidiaries in three divisions: financial services, healthcare and real estate. De Leon was born in Brownsville and raised in Matamoros. He was the star attraction at VIDA's recent 30th Anniversary Gala, held at the McAllen Convention Center. At the event he sat down for a conversation with VIDA CEO Felida Villarreal. Here are highlights from the conversation.

Title: Cynthia Gutierrez and Samuel Reyes
Runtime: 26:59
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD board member Cynthia Gutierrez has defended her actions after being censured by a majority of her fellow trustees. At a special‑called meeting in June, the trustees approved a Resolution of Censure and Exclusion against Gutierrez. They said they were forced to do this under the Board Policy BBF (LOCAL) and Texas Education Code 11.151(c) due to a series of “disruptive actions” by Gutierrez. The censure included a time‑limited restriction from District property. The Rio Grande Guardian interviewed Gutierrez and her attorney, Samuel Reyes, about the censure. The Guardian has reached out to board trustee Carlos Villegas, Jr., for an interview also.

Title: Mario Castillo
Runtime: 35:11
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: Houston City Council Member Mario Castillo told the LGBTQ community in the Rio Grande Valley not to give up, despite the current hostile environment. Castillo, who serves on the LGBTQ+ Caucus in Houston, gave the keynote speech at a luncheon hosted by the RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The event was titled “Building A Thriving Village - Supporting a Healthy & Engaged Community.” It was held at Nana’s Taqueria in Weslaco.

Title: Sylvia Garza Perez
Runtime: 4:25
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: Cameron County Clerk Sylvia Garza Perez was Mistress of Ceremonies at an RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce luncheon held at Nana's Taqueria in Weslaco. The event was titled Building a Thriving Village - Supporting a Healthy & Engaged Community. Garza Perez is the first and only woman elected as Cameron County Clerk since the office opened in 1836. At the conclusion of the event, she gave an interview to the Rio Grande Guardian.

Title: Steven Cano
Runtime: 8:13
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: Steven Cano is a community mobilization and HIV prevention specialist for the Valley AIDS Council. He spoke about the work of the council when he gave remarks at an RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce luncheon held at Nana's Taqueria in Weslaco. The event was titled Building a Thriving Village - Supporting a Healthy & Engaged Community.

Title: Carlos Peña Ortiz
Runtime: 3:52
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: Reynosa Mayor Carlos Peña Ortiz is urging leaders along the border region to unite to improve the lives of its residents. While acknowledging that border security has improved over the past nine months (in other words since President Trump took office again) Peña says it has been a difficult year for border communities. “I have to be honest with you guys, this year, it's been a tough year in investment, in commerce, in migration, in tourism, for our community on both sides of the border. We understand there have been advancements in security that have helped Mexico. Reynosa is not the same city security-wise, from nine months ago. But it has affected our community, our people and our commerce in a significant way,” Peña said. The mayor made his comments at the City of Pharr’s annual Start of the Fresh Produce Season event. He said it is even more important for border leaders to unite in the upcoming year because of the renegotiation of the USMCA trade agreement, Peña said. He...

Title: Daniel Garza
Runtime: 7:42
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: Pharr Economic Development Corporation held its annual Industrial Warehouse Summit on Oct. 5, 2025, at the Pharr Research & Development Center. Among the presenters was Daniel Garza, a program specialist at the UTRGV Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center. Garza spoke in-depth about the Pharr Global Business Hub.

Title: Blanca Villalobos and Noraa Gamundi
Runtime: 7:08
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: Pharr Economic Development Corporation held its annual Industrial Warehouse Summit on Oct. 5, 2025, at the Pharr Research & Development Center. Among the presenters were two IBC Bank executives. Blanca Villalobos is executive vice president of commercial lending. Noraa Gamundi is assistant vice president of international deposit services. The title of their joint presentation was: Project Financing and Trusting Your Lender.

Title: Jose Peña
Runtime: 6:56
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: Pharr Economic Development Corporation held its annual Industrial Warehouse Summit on Oct. 5, 2025, at the Pharr Research & Development Center. Among the presenters was Jose Peña, IT director for the City of Pharr. Peña gave an update on Pharr Connect, the City of Pharr’s solution to closing the digital divide. Pharr Connect offers blazing fast fiber internet and the next generation of WiFi technology to both residential and business customers. Peña said the service offers incredible value for money.

Title: Ruben Alfaro
Runtime: 14:00
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: Pharr Economic Development Corporation held its annual Industrial Warehouse Summit on Oct. 5, 2025, at the Pharr Research & Development Center. Among the presenters was Ruben Alfaro, development engineer for Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority. Among the projects Alfaro spoke about were the 635 Tollway, the International Bridge Trade Corridor, and the Hidalgo County Loop.

Title: AEP in the RGV
Runtime: 7:19
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: American Electric Power officials Daniel Lucio and Martin Valdez spoke at Pharr Economic Development Corporation's Industrial Warehouse Summit. The event was held at the Pharr Development & Research Center. In their remarks, Lucio and Valdez spoke about AEP's plans to increase the capacity of electricity in the Rio Grande Valley. They noted that without more power, the region will not be able to land data centers.

Title: Luis Bazan
Runtime: 17:22
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: Luis Bazan, director of the Pharr International Bridge, spoke about bridge crossings and the eagerly-awaited second span of the bridge, at Pharr Economic Development Corporation's Industrial Warehouse Summit. The event was held at the Pharr Development & Research Center. Here is a video recording showing highlights from his speech.

State Reps. Ryan Guillen and Terry Canales

Title: State Reps. Ryan Guillen and Terry Canales
Runtime: 6:59
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: State Reps. Ryan Guillen and Terry Canales may be in the same Rio Grande Valley legislative delegation but they do not see eye to eye on school vouchers. Both participated in a panel discussion at a recent McAllen Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Asked by moderator Veronica Gonzales, a vice president at UT-Rio Grande Valley, to give his view on vouchers, Guillen, R-Rio Grande City, said his district will not benefit from school vouchers. However, he said he voted for them because they may be of help in other parts of the state. Canales, D-Edinburg, strongly opposed vouchers, saying charter schools are not held to the same level of scrutiny as public schools.

Title: John Cowen, Jr.
Runtime: 3:54
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: Cameron County and the City of Brownsville have approved an interlocal agreement to allow for an Expanded Downtown Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) No. 3. In an interview with the Rio Grande Guardian, Brownsville Mayor John Cowen said the new strategic partnership will allow the County and the City to contribute to the funding and development of critical infrastructure and public improvements within the expanded Downtown TIRZ No. 3. He said this will drive continued investment in downtown Brownsville and ensure long-term regional prosperity. TIRZ No. 3 encompasses designated areas from Sam Perl Boulevard to Gladys Porter Zoo.

Title: State Rep. Ryan Guillen
Runtime: 6:30
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: State Rep. Ryan Guillen says he helped pass legislation that will allow municipalities in the Rio Grande Valley to work regionally on brackish water desalination projects. “It (the legislation) is about public utility authorities. We've talked about the importance of water, and as a growing region, we need new sources of water, and so brackish water is, I think, where we've got to go,” Guillen told the Rio Grande Guardian. “The problem typically revolves around affording a project. If each entity went about trying to build a project, one, it's either going to be too expensive or, two, the project will probably be able to produce more water than they're able to use. And so regionalization is the way to go.” Guillen said his bill is ideal for fast-growing areas like the Rio Grande Valley.

Title: Brian Godinez
Runtime: 22:28
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: ERO Architects is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year. Over the years, the company has worked on projects in the Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, Austin, Houston, El Paso, and Del Rio/Carrizo Springs markets. It currently has 16 architects working on more than 50 projects. “We are fortunate to be a busy architectural firm, the largest architectural firm in the South Texas region,” said Principal and CEO Brian Godinez. “We are very active doing everything from project management to production management to construction administration. There is a lot going on.”

Title: Victor 'Seby' Haddad
Runtime: 3:02
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: McAllen City Commissioner Victor 'Seby' Haddad has announced he is running for the Texas House of Representatives. He will be running in McAllen-based House District 41, which is currently represented by state Rep. R.D. 'Bobby' Guerra. Guerra, a seven-term legislator, has announced he will not be running for re-election. In an interview with the Rio Grande Guardian, Haddad paid tribute to Guerra and explained the platform he is running on.

Title: Rodney Rodriguez
Runtime: 2:25
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: Already the nation’s No. 1 Hispanic-Serving two-year higher education institution, South Texas College has earned its second recertification through the Seal of Excelencia award. Excelencia in Education awards institutions whose impact reaches beyond the educational pathway. It recognizes the positive impact colleges and universities have in preparing and connecting Latino, and all, students to the workforce. “Through our collaboration, we build talent for our country’s workforce and civic leadership,” said Sarita Brown, co-founder and president of Excelencia in Education. Rodney H. Rodriguez, vice president for Institutional Advancement and Economic Development at STC, was in Washington, D.C. recently to receive the award. The Rio Grande Guardian secured an interview with Rodriguez upon his return.

Title: Keena Garcia
Runtime: 3:59
Date posted: 12 months ago
Description: Keena Garcia is marketing manager for the San Antonio market for IKEA. Garcia recently gave the Rio Grande Guardian an interview about the big box store's latest facility, at Pharr Town Center. Here is the interview.

Title: RGV Philanthropic Foundation
Runtime: 29:04
Date posted: 1 year ago
Description: The RGV Philanthropic Foundation presented checks recently to higher education institutions in the Rio Grande Valley such as Texas Southmost College, South Texas College, UT-Rio Grande Valley, and Texas A&M University. The Foundation wanted to say "thank you" to the institutions for their support of STEM Nation 2025, a conference the Foundation hosted that attracted 5,000-plus students. The conference was held to encourage students to consider pursuing a career in the STEM fields. It was held at the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg in May. The check presentation took place at the corporate office of Lone Star National Bank in McAllen.

Title: Brandon Valdez
Runtime: 3:30
Date posted: 1 year ago
Description: Dr. Gary Joe Mounce, a professor emeritus at UT-Rio Grande Valley, has been coaxed out of retirement to teach politics again. As part of the course work, students have to study one textbook and one other book. For the “other” book, Mounce has chosen the book he published earlier this year, “A Writing Fool - Tales From Mexico and the Rio Grande Valley. A large chunk of the book is given over to the guest columns Mounce penned for the Rio Grande Guardian over the years. But there are new essays, also. The Guardian visited UTRGV’s Edinburg campus to find out how Mounce is doing and to interview students about the course and his book. Here is an interview with Brandon Valdez, a student at UTRGV.

Title: Marisol Ojeda
Runtime: 4:11
Date posted: 1 year ago
Description: Dr. Gary Joe Mounce, a professor emeritus at UT-Rio Grande Valley, has been coaxed out of retirement to teach politics again. As part of the course work, students have to study one textbook and one other book. For the “other” book, Mounce has chosen the book he published earlier this year, “A Writing Fool - Tales From Mexico and the Rio Grande Valley. A large chunk of the book is given over to the guest columns Mounce penned for the Rio Grande Guardian over the years. But there are new essays, also. The Guardian visited UTRGV’s Edinburg campus to find out how Mounce is doing and to interview students about the course and his book. Here is an interview with Marisol Ojeda, a student at UTRGV.

Title: Dr. Gary Joe Mounce
Runtime: 6:58
Date posted: 1 year ago
Description: Dr. Gary Joe Mounce, a professor emeritus at UT-Rio Grande Valley, has been coaxed out of retirement to teach politics again. As part of the course work, students have to study one textbook and one other book. For the “other” book, Mounce has chosen the book he published earlier this year, “A Writing Fool - Tales From Mexico and the Rio Grande Valley. A large chunk of the book is given over to the guest columns Mounce penned for the Rio Grande Guardian over the years. But there are new essays, also. The Guardian visited UTRGV’s Edinburg campus to find out how Mounce is doing and to interview students about the course and his book. Here is an interview with Mounce.

Title: Mario Reyna
Runtime: 17:38
Date posted: 1 year ago
Description: Mario Reyna, executive director of RioPlex, has given an update on the group's activities. The group, led by entrepreneurs and business leaders, is helping to market the Rio Grande Valley and Northern Tamaulipas across the world. In an in-depth interview with the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service, Reyna discusses membership levels to join the group, along with request for information requests the group is responding to.

Title: Victor Perez
Runtime: 4:50
Date posted: 1 year ago
Description: Pharr Economic Development Corporation President Victor Perez has welcomed IKEA's decision to open their latest store at Pharr Town Center. The Rio Grande Guardian interviewed Perez at a sneak peek event organized for the media.

Title: Dan Diaz
Runtime: 2:07
Date posted: 1 year ago
Description: EDINBURG, Texas - Founded by patients and survivors, GO2 for Lung Cancer is a national organization dedicated to increasing survival for those at risk diagnosed with, and living with lung cancer. Recently, GO2 designated DHR Health as a Center of Excellence in lung care screening and lung cancer care. DHR made the announcement at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance to coincide with World Lung Day. “This national recognition is an important milestone for our hospital and for the Rio Grande Valley,” said Marissa Castañeda, senior executive vice president at DHR Health. “It highlights the work our team is doing to ensure patients have access to early detection and expert care close to home. Here is an interview with Edinburg City Council Member Dan Diaz, a healthcare specialist.

Title: Dr. Federico Vallejo
Runtime: 5:08
Date posted: 1 year ago
Description: EDINBURG, Texas - Founded by patients and survivors, GO2 for Lung Cancer is a national organization dedicated to increasing survival for those at risk diagnosed with, and living with lung cancer. Recently, GO2 designated DHR Health as a Center of Excellence in lung care screening and lung cancer care. DHR made the announcement at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance to coincide with World Lung Day. “This national recognition is an important milestone for our hospital and for the Rio Grande Valley,” said Marissa Castañeda, senior executive vice president at DHR Health. “It highlights the work our team is doing to ensure patients have access to early detection and expert care close to home. Here is an interview with Dr. Federico Vallejo, DHR Health pulmonologist and robotic-assisted bronchoscopist.

Title: U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez
Runtime: 20:37
Date posted: 1 year ago
Description: U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, TX-34, spoke in depth to members of the South Texas Alliance of Cities on September 25. The meeting was held at the Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum. Gonzalez spoke about the negative ways the Big Beautiful Bill Act would impact South Texas, particularly funding cuts to popular healthcare programs the region relies on. On the subject of border security and immigration, Gonzalez said he was pleased there is less undocumented migration into the United States. However, he said he does not agree with ICE's tactics in apprehending undocumented immigrants. He also voiced concerns about a significant drop in legitimate trade and travel.

Title: Dan Diaz
Runtime: 4:07
Date posted: 1 year ago
Description: Edinburg City Council member Dan Diaz has spoken about all the growth happening in his city. He says it is pretty amazing. The Rio Grande Guardian met up with Diaz to discuss his city scooping most of the awards in a recent newspaper poll.

Title: Sandra Charlton
Runtime: 2:50
Date posted: 1 year ago
Description: The RGV Angel Network was founded in the summer of 2015 by local investors, educators and community leaders, who believed that early-stage investing could provide a meaningful return for investors while also spurring local economic growth. It is housed in UT-Rio Grande Valley’s Center for Innovation and Commercialization in Weslaco. Under the direction of Dr. Mark Kroll, the then Dean of the College of Business at UT Brownsville and Laurie Simmons, former Director of the Texas Emerging Technology Fund’s Tropical Texas Regional Center for Innovation and Commercialization, the idea was presented to community leaders. With ten founding members and some seed money from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund, RGVAN was formed. Ten years later, the group is looking to expand. Here is an interview with one of RGVAN’s board members, Sandra Charlton, a CPA and a board member of the Economic Development Corporation of Weslaco.

Title: Sen. Juan Hinojosa
Runtime: 3:40
Date posted: 1 year ago
Description: On Sept. 23, 2025, Gov. Greg Abbott announced $26 million in funding to expand and modernize Weslaco’s Mid-Valley Airport. The funding was appropriated by the Legislature earlier this year. Of the $26 million, $10 million will go towards runway expansion to accommodate larger aircraft and regional growth, $8 million will go towards new hangars supporting Texas DPS, law enforcement and emergency response, and $8 million will go towards infrastructure upgrades to improve drainage and long-term resilience. Many VIPs were in attendance as Gov. Abbott announced the funding. Among them was state Sen. Juan Hinojosa of McAllen. Here is an interview with Sen. Hinojosa at the event.

Title: Adam Hinojosa
Runtime: 1:04
Date posted: 1 year ago
Description: On Sept. 23, 2025, Gov. Greg Abbott announced $26 million in funding to expand and modernize Weslaco’s Mid-Valley Airport. The funding was appropriated by the Legislature earlier this year. Of the $26 million, $10 million will go towards runway expansion to accommodate larger aircraft and regional growth, $8 million will go towards new hangars supporting Texas DPS, law enforcement and emergency response, and $8 million will go towards infrastructure upgrades to improve drainage and long-term resilience. Many VIPs were in attendance as Gov. Abbott announced the funding. Among them was state Sen. Adam Hinojosa of Corpus Christi. Here is an interview with Sen. Hinojosa at the event.

Title: Steve Valdez
Runtime: 1:15
Date posted: 1 year ago
Description: On Sept. 23, 2025, Gov. Greg Abbott announced $26 million in funding to expand and modernize Weslaco’s Mid-Valley Airport. The funding was appropriated by the Legislature earlier this year. Of the $26 million, $10 million will go towards runway expansion to accommodate larger aircraft and regional growth, $8 million will go towards new hangars supporting Texas DPS, law enforcement and emergency response, and $8 million will go towards infrastructure upgrades to improve drainage and long-term resilience. Many VIPs were in attendance as Gov. Abbott announced the funding. Among them was Steve Valdez, executive director of the Economic Development Corporation of Weslaco. Here is an interview with Valdez at the event.

Title: Gov. Greg Abbott
Runtime: 4:37
Date posted: 1 year ago
Description: On Sept. 23, 2025, Gov. Greg Abbott announced $26 million in funding to expand and modernize Weslaco’s Mid-Valley Airport. The funding was appropriated by the Legislature earlier this year. Of the $26 million, $10 million will go towards runway expansion to accommodate larger aircraft and regional growth, $8 million will go towards new hangars supporting Texas DPS, law enforcement and emergency response, and $8 million will go towards infrastructure upgrades to improve drainage and long-term resilience. Here are the remarks Gov. Abbott made at the airport.

Title: Dr. Mark Kroll
Runtime: 4:25
Date posted: 1 year ago
Description: The RGV Angel Network was founded in the summer of 2015 by local investors, educators and community leaders, who believed that early-stage investing could provide a meaningful return for investors while also spurring local economic growth. It is housed in UT-Rio Grande Valley’s Center for Innovation and Commercialization in Weslaco. Under the direction of Dr. Mark Kroll, the then Dean of the College of Business at UT Brownsville and Laurie Simmons, former Director of the Texas Emerging Technology Fund’s Tropical Texas Regional Center for Innovation and Commercialization, the idea was presented to community leaders. With ten founding members and some seed money from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund, RGVAN was formed. Ten years later, the group is looking to expand. Here is a recent interview with Dr. Kroll.

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Rio Grande Guardian

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