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Edinburg posted lowest and second-lowest monthly unemployment rates in the Valley throughout 2015, reports Edinburg Economic Development Corporation

Photograph By MARK MONTEMAYOR

Featured, from left: Edinburg Mayor Richard García; Congresman Rubén Hinojosa, D-Mercedes; Texas Secretary of State Carlos Cascos; Mario Lizcano, Director of Corporate Affairs, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance; Rep. R.D. “Bobby” Guerra, D-McAllen; and Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg. The delegation was present at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance on Thursday, January 21, 2016, for the public affairs luncheon sponsored by the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce and the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation.

Photograph By MARK MONTEMAYOR

Edinburg posted the second-lowest unemployment figure among the Valley’s major communities for the month of December 2015, coming in at 4.7 percent, with McAllen posting the best figure at 4.4 percent, the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation has announced. For the year, Edinburg registered the lowest monthly unemployment rates in the Valley three times, and generated the second-lowest unemployment figures in the Valley nine times. The unemployment rate is a key indicator of the strength of the local economy. The EEDC, of which Agustín García, Jr. is Executive Director, is the jobs-creation arm of the Edinburg Mayor and Edinburg City Council. The EEDC Board of Directors is comprised of Mark Iglesias as President, Harvey Rodríguez as Vice President, Ellie M. Torres as Secretary/Treasurer, and Mayor Richard García and Richard Ruppert as Members. Richard García and Agustín García, Jr. are not related. In addition to Edinburg posting the second-lowest unemployment rate in the Valley for December 2015, Edinburg had the lowest monthly unemployment rate in the Valley in November (4.8 percent), and tied with McAllen for the best showings in October and September (4.9 percent for each month). During the first eight months of 2015, Edinburg’s monthly unemployment rates were within fractions of a percentage of McAllen’s monthly unemployment rates, which were lowest during that period. Also according to the latest data, which was released on Friday, January 22, 2016 by the Texas Workforce Commission, there were 35,717 people employed in Edinburg during the month of December 2015. Edinburg’s latest showing was better than the U.S. unemployment rate for December 2015, which came in at 5 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000). Edinburg’s December 2015 figure of 4.7 percent completes a year-long pattern of positive reports: November (4.8 percent); October (4.9 percent); September (4.9 percent); August (5.1 percent); July (5.4 percent); June (5.1 percent); May (4.8 percent); April (4.6 percent); March (4.8 percent); February (4.8 percent); and January (5.1 percent). Edinburg’s December 2015 unemployment rate of 4.7 percent remained close to the Texas statewide average, which was 4.2 percent in December, 4.5 percent in November, 4.5 percent in October, 4.4 percent in September, 4.4 percent in August, 4.6 percent in July, 4.4 percent in June, 4.1 percent in May, 4 percent in April, 4.2 percent in March, 4.3 percent in February, and 4.6 percent in January, according to Texas Workforce Commission figures. The data represents a decrease of 170 jobs in Edinburg when comparing the employment figures for December 2015 and December 2014. In December 2015, there were 35,717 employed in Edinburg, compared with 35,887 persons employed in Edinburg in December 2014. The December 2015 unemployment rate of 4.7 percent for Edinburg is also better than the annual unemployment rate in Edinburg for 2014, which was 5.8 percent – and that yearly rate was the best 12-month average from January through December since 2008. Edinburg’s annual unemployment rates since 2005, which is the year in which the state government began preparing those figures using a more accurate formula, according to the Texas Workforce Commission, have registered as follows: 2014 (5.8 percent); 2013 (6.9 percent); 2012 (7.5 percent); 2011 (8.4 percent); 2010 (8.2 percent); 2009 (6.8 percent); 2008 (4.9 percent); 2007 (4.7 percent); 2006 (5.2 percent); and 2005 (4.9 percent).

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Rep. Muñoz: STC approves agreement with Pharr leaders that will result in creation of “landmark” South Texas Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence

Photograph By MARK MONTEMAYOR

Featured, from left: Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City, and Rep. Sergio Muñoz, Jr., D-Mission, on Thursday, July 9, 2015, following their presentations before the McAllen Chamber of Commerce’s 84th Legislative Wrap-up Luncheon, held at the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel in McAllen.

Photograph By MARK MONTEMAYOR

Plans to build the South Texas College Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence in Pharr received final approval from the STC Board of Trustees on Tuesday, January 26, 2016, a move that will result in a multi-million dollar economic impact for the city while improving law enforcement throughout South Texas, said Rep. Sergio Muñoz, Jr., D-Mission. On a unanimous vote – with District 5 Trustee Dr. Alejo Salinas, Jr. of Edinburg excused on important business – the remaining six board members present for the public meeting approved an interlocal agreement with the City of Pharr and the Pharr San Juan Alamo Independent School District that will result in a major presence by STC on a 113.9 acre site located between U.S. Highway 281 and South Veterans Boulevard. “Obviously, this is a huge step for the people of Pharr and the PSJA school district because it brings one of the most prestigious higher education institutions in Texas into our community,” said Muñoz, whose House District 36 includes a large section of Pharr. “This is a landmark event, the latest success story in the Valley, and I congratulate the many people who worked long and hard to help make this happen.” The STC Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence was made possible in large part by Muñoz, who successfully authored House Bill 1887 last spring before the Texas Legislature. HB 1887 led to statutory authority for the STC to undertake the development of regional law enforcement training. “The Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence will increase necessary access to training opportunities for officers in the Rio Grande Valley region and, in turn, improve public safety and border security,” Muñoz further explained. “The training provided at the regional center also would provide officers with college credit toward either an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree, while the four police academies in the area would not.” The importance of establishing the STC complex in Pharr was emphasized during the State of the City Address on Wednesday, December 23, 2015, by Mayor Ambrosio “Amos” Hernández. “We are proud to announce that we have entered into a partnership to have a South Texas College facility in Pharr,” proclaimed the mayor, who was elected to his first term in May 2o15. “The facility will bring $9 million in economic impact and approximately $3 million in payroll.” Hernández shared Muñoz’ vision of the potential for the complex, with the mayor calling it “an STC Branch for PSJA ISD students.” Muñoz, a three-term state legislator who serves on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, which shaped the current $200+ billion state budget, praised his fellow Valley lawmakers for helping pass the state law authorizing and helping fund the South Texas Regional Center for Public Safety. “Sen. Juan Hinojosa was the Senate author of my House Bill 1887, while Rep. Terry Canales, Rep. Bobby Guerra, Rep. Eddie Lucio, III, and Rep. Ryan Guillen were joint authors in the House, and they all deserve credit for this huge accomplishment,” said Muñoz. “There is no substitute for experience when it comes to getting what we deserve from the Texas Legislature.” According to STC, with the interlocal agreements with the city and school district be approved, it will take between 18 months and 24 months to build the 21,800 square-foot facility, which will be the initial heart of The Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence. The project will include classroom facilities, vehicle driving range, outdoor shooting range, firearms simulator, mobile firearms simulator/live firing range, driving simulator, obstacle course, fitness rooms, and administrative offices. The estimated initial construction cost is $6.782 million, which includes $4.2 million from South Texas College’s Series 2013 Bond Issuance, $1.5 million provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety, and $1 million provided by the PSJA school district. The City of Pharr will contribute 59 acres and the PSJA school district will contribute 10 acres to begin the project. Within two years, the City of Pharr has proposed contributing another 32.24 acres, and within five years, the City of Pharr proposes contributing 12.55 additional acres.

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South Texas College Regional Center for Public Safety in Pharr, created by Rep. Muñoz, set for action this evening by STC Board of Trustees

Photograph By PETER SALINAS

Featured: Rose Benavidez, Member, Board of Trustees, South Texas College, and Rep. Sergio Muñoz, Jr., D-Mission, in the underground annex of the Texas Capitol, during Community College Day on Thursday, February 3, 2015.

Photograph By PETER SALINAS

Pharr could soon see construction begin on the South Texas Regional Center for Public Safety, to be located on a 113.9 site located between U.S. Highway 281 and South Veterans Boulevard, as a result of House Bill 1887 by Rep. Sergio Muñoz, Jr., D-Mission. On Tuesday, January 26, 2016 (today), the STC Board of Regents are scheduled to review and approve an interlocal agreement with the City of Pharr and the Pharr San Juan Alamo Independent School District that will see the landmark complex take shape, and with it, improve the quality of public safety in deep South Texas. The pending action is part of the STC Board of Trustees’ regular monthly meeting, which will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Ann Richards Administration Building Board Room at the Pecan Campus in McAllen. Muñoz predicted the planned STC facility and site also will pave the way in the future for a branch campus – and possibly more – in Pharr, which is part of his House District 36 legislative district. “South Texas College is one of the best college systems in Texas, it is only one of a handful of community colleges in the state which offer university-level bachelor degrees, it is poised for greater growth, and it has helped transform the South Texas economy through its outstanding graduates who are as skilled and talented as they are numerous and in demand,” Muñoz said. “This is just the beginning for STC in Pharr.” The three-term state legislator, who serves on the powerful House Appropriations Committee which shaped the current $200+ billion state budget, praised his fellow Valley lawmakers for helping pass the state law authorizing and helping fund the South Texas Regional Center for Public Safety. “Sen. Juan Hinojosa was the Senate author of my House Bill 1887, while Rep. Terry Canales, Rep. Bobby Guerra, Rep. Eddie Lucio, III, and Rep. Ryan Guillen were joint authors in the House, and they all deserve credit for this huge accomplishment,” said Muñoz. “There is no substitute for experience when it comes to getting what we deserve from the Texas Legislature.” According to STC, once the interlocal agreements with the city and school district are approved, it will take between 18 months and 24 months to build the 21,800 square-foot facility which will be the initial heart of The Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence. The project will include classroom facilities, vehicle driving range, outdoor shooting range, firearms simulator, mobile firearms simulator/live firing range, driving simulator, obstacle course, fitness rooms, and administrative offices. The estimated initial construction cost is $6.782 million, which includes $4.2 million from South Texas College’s Series 2013 Bond Issuance, $1.5 million provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety, and $1 million provided by the PSJA School District. “The Regional Center for Public Excellence in Pharr shall increase necessary access to training opportunities for officers in the Rio Grande Valley region and, in turn, improve public safety and border security,” said Muñoz. “The training provided at the regional center also would provide officers with college credit toward either an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree, while the four police academies in the area do not.”

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Texas Secretary of State Cascos’ visit to Edinburg on January 21 to provide local leaders vital access to state’s highest level of government, announces Edinburg Economic Development Corporation

Photograph By RONNIE LARRALDE

Featured, from left, promoting the “Salute to Small Business” luncheon set for Thursday, January 21, 2016 at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance and which will feature Texas Secretary of State Carlos Cascos, are, from left: Marty Martin of Rio Valley Realty, who serves as Chairman of the Board for the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce; Letty González , President, Edinburg Chamber of Commerce; Nelda Ramírez, Assistant Executive Director, Edinburg Chamber of Commerce; Mayor Richard García; Elva Jackson Garza of Edwards Abstract & Title Company, who serves as Vice Chair of Public Affairs, Edinburg Chamber of Commerce; Agustín García, Jr., Executive Director, Edinburg Economic Development Corporation; and Jacob De León of Memorial Funeral Home, who serves as Vice Chair of Membership, Edinburg Chamber of Commerce.

Photograph By RONNIE LARRALDE

Texas Secretary of State Carlos Cascos’ upcoming visit to Edinburg on Thursday, January 21, 2016 will provide local leaders and area residents a direct link to Gov. Greg Abbott and will help keep the city’s best legislative interests on a high priority, the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation has announced. The EEDC, of which Agustín García, Jr. is Executive Director, is the jobs-creation arm of the Edinburg Mayor and Edinburg City Council. The EEDC Board of Directors is comprised of Mark Iglesias as President, Harvey Rodríguez as Vice President, Ellie M. Torres as Secretary/Treasurer, and Mayor Richard García and Richard Ruppert as Members.Agustín García, Jr. and Mayor Richard García are not related. Cascos, a former Cameron County county judge who was sworn in on March 7, 2015 by Abbott as the 101th Texas Secretary of State, will be the featured guest for the “Salute to Small Business” event, which will congratulate and honor more than 20 small business owners in the community. “The event is supported by the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation and the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce, who are keenly aware of the importance of small business in our economy,” said Elva Jackson Garza of Edwards Abstract & Title Company, who serves as Vice Chair of Public Affairs for the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce. “Several of our Edinburg Chamber members are operated by the second-, third- and perhaps fourth- generation families and we want to give them the recognition that they deserve.” Cascos’ appearance will provide South Texas insights into the latest news and developments going on in Texas which are important to small businesses,” said Mayor García, who will welcome the Texas Secretary of State to Edinburg. “He has promised in the past that the economic well-being and future of the Rio Grande Valley are important for all of Texas.” The gathering will take place at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance, located at 118 Paseo Del Prado. With a seating capacity of about 250, interested residents are encouraged to purchase their tickets for the event, which will cover the cost a hot lunch, beverage and dessert. The tickets are $15 apiece or $150 for a table of 8, with a cut-off of 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 19, set for reservations. For more information or to make a reservation please call the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce at 956-383-4974. “Edinburg, in partnership with our state legislative delegation, has always been a key player in shaping state laws and policies which benefit us here in deep South Texas,” added Iglesias. “With his direct access to the governor, and with his tremendous knowledge of the people and issues of the Valley, Secretary of State Cascos is a very valuable resource for us to help reach our legislative goals, which include higher education, highways, infrastructure, medical education, health care, border security, and jobs creation.” EEDC Executive Director Agustín García, Jr. said it is vital when the state’s top leadership comes to the city. “The first trip that Gov.-elect Abbott made after his election in November 2014 was to the Valley, and the first trip that Gov. Abbott made after his inauguration was in late January 2015, also to the Valley, including to Edinburg,” recalled the EEDC Executive Director. “In many ways that count, Secretary of State Cascos is the governor’s right-hand man, and we plan to continue building our relationships with both men on behalf of Edinburg.” The Secretary of State is the state’s chief election officer, the liaison to the governor on border and Mexico affairs (born in Mexico, Cascos immigrated to the United States as a child and became a permanent resident and citizen during adolescence) and Texas’ chief protocol officer for state and international affairs. “Judge Cascos will give the Rio Grande Valley a strong voice in Austin, and he will also show the rest of Texas the outstanding leaders produced by the Rio Grande Valley,” Abbott said when he announced Cascos as his first gubernatorial appointee in November 2014. “Judge Cascos will give the Rio Grande Valley a strong voice in Austin, and he will also show the rest of Texas the outstanding leaders produced by the Rio Grande Valley.”

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Construction in Edinburg from January through November 2015 approaches $128 million, ahead of last year’s 11-month pace of $113.1 million, reports Edinburg Economic Development Corporation

Construction in Edinburg from January through November 2015 approaches $128 million, ahead of last year’s 11-month pace of $113.1 million, reports Edinburg Economic Development Corporation

Featured, from left: Agustín García, Jr., Executive Director of the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation, Harvey Rodríguez, Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation, Mayor Pro Tem Homer Jasso, Jr., and City Councilmember David Torres take a break in Dallas during the statewide convention of the International Council of Shopping Centers, held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center on Wednesday, November 4, through Friday, November 6, 2015. The local leaders posed for this shot at Pioneer Plaza, located next to the convention center. Not shown, but who also played a leadership role at the convention, is Ellie M. Torres, Secretary/Treasurer of the Board of Directors for the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation.
Photograph By DIEGO REYNA

With one month to go in 2015, construction and related building activities in Edinburg reached almost $128 million in value, with more than $13.1 million of that amount taking place in November, the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation has announced. Both of those figures are ahead of the pace for the same periods last year, when total construction activities from January through November 2014 came in at more than $113.1 million, and more than $4 million for November 2014. The value of construction of new homes for the first 11 months of 2015 leads all year-to-date categories, amounting to more than $43.6 million, compared with more than $31.6 million from January through November 2014. The most valuable construction project to receive a building permit in November was the Marriott Towne Place Suites, being built at 5002 W. Trenton Road by Qube RGV Systems Industries. The construction aspect of the new hotel is valued at $5 million, but the investment for everything, from land to furnishings to the facility, will eventually reach $10 million, according to investors. This Marriott is a new concept and will be the first of it’s kind for the Marriott brand and is scheduled to be open in the Fall of 2016. The second-most valuable project, classified as Multi-Family Residences/New Construction/Addition/Remodel and located at 4604 S. Sugar Road, was issued a building permit for work worth $2 million to Greenpoint Developers, LLC. Also, National Border Patrol Council was issued a building permit for work valued at $580,000 for a new commercial facility to be located at 4174 Crosspoint Boulevard. Chris Ryan Homes & Investments, LLC, was issued the most valuable building permit for a single-family residence, worth $280,000 for its construction, and located at 4817 August Dr. in the Summerfield Manor Subdivision. The EEDC, of which Agustín García, Jr. is Executive Director, is the jobs-creation arm of the Edinburg Mayor and Edinburg City Council. The EEDC Board of Directors is comprised of Mark Iglesias as President, Harvey Rodríguez as Vice President, Ellie M. Torres as Secretary/Treasurer, and Mayor Richard García and Richard Ruppert as Members. Richard García and Agustín García, Jr. are not related. A building permit includes the estimated value of the work, but does not include the costs of the lot, equipment and furnishings. In general, a building permit is legal permission given by the City of Edinburg to erect, construct, renovate, maintain, or conduct any other specified activity on any building or structure, or on any installations or facilities therein. The term “building permit” includes but is not limited to building permits, electrical permits, mechanical permits, and plumbing permits. The top categories in Edinburg from January through November 2015 were: $43,652,244 – Single-Family Residences New Construction; $27,431,178 – Commercial New Construction; $24,259,705 – Non-Taxable New/Alterations (government, religious, but not including the value of construction activities at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley or its School of Medicine); $18,472,564 – Commercial Alterations; $8,264,122– Multi-Family Residences New Construction; and $5,742,670 – Residential Alterations. The top categories in Edinburg for November 2015 were: $5,731,000 – Commercial New Construction; $3,870,670 – Single-Family Residences New Construction; $2,298,766 – Multi-Family Residences New Construction; $509,205 – Commercial Alterations; $391,601 – Residential Alterations; and $356,900 – Non-Taxable New/Alterations (government, religious, but not including the value of construction activities at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley or its School of Medicine). Also according to the city’s Code Enforcement Department, 307 single-family residences have been approved for construction from January through November 2015, compared with 256 single-family residences during the same 11-month period in 2014. The most valuable construction project to receive a building permit in November was the Marriott Towne Place Suites, being built at 5002 W. Trenton Road by Qube RGV Systems Industries. The construction aspect of the new hotel is valued at $5 million, but the investment for everything, from land to furnishings to the facility, will eventually reach $10 million, according to investors. This Marriott is a new concept and will be the first of it’s kind for the Marriott brand and is scheduled to be open in the Fall of 2016. The second-most valuable project, classified as Multi-Family Residences/New Construction/Addition/Remodel and located at 4604 S. Sugar Road, was issued a building permit for work worth $2 million to Greenpoint Developers, LLC. Also, National Border Patrol Council was issued a building permit for work valued at $580,000, and listed as Commercial News Construction, for a facility to be located at 4174 Crosspoint Boulevard. Coming at a value of $339,400 was a project by the City of Edinburg located at 1231 N. Doolittle Road, categorized as Non-Taxable Additions/Repairs, while Aldama Investments was issued a building permit for a Multi-Family Residences New Construction/Addition/Remodel, located at 1804 Horse Tail Falls, valued at $298,766. Chris Ryan Homes & Investments, LLC, was issued a building permit for the most valuable single-family residence, worth $280,000 for its construction, and located at 4817 August Dr. in the Summerfield Manor Subdivision.

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