by Legislative Media | Jul 14, 2016 | Politics
Featured: The cast of Peter and The Starcatcher. Top row, from left: Daniel Garza of Edinburg; Jonathan Taméz of McAllen; and Priscilla Perales of Stuard, Florida. Second row, from left: Annemarie Alaníz of Alamo; Óscar Camacho of Cadereyta Jiménez, Nuevo León, Mexico; and Zebastian Duchene of McAllen. Third row, from left: Mauricio González of Mission; Immanuel García of Alton; and Micaela Cantú of Mission. Fourth row, from left: Selena Flores of La Victoria; Joshua Duazo of McAllen; and Alan González of Mission. Bottom Row: Gerrad García of Edinburg; Diana Furman of McAllen; and Ricky Godínez of McAllen.
Featured, from left: Zebastian Duchene of McAllen; Joshua Duazo of McAllen; Immanuel García of Alton; Daniel Garza of Edinburg; Mauricio González of Mission; Selena Flores of La Victoria; Jonathan Taméz of McAllen; Annemarie Alaníz of Alamo; and Micaela Cantú of Mission.
Photographs By JASON BARRERA
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by Legislative Media | May 3, 2016 | Politics
Featured, from left: Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, and Leonel Vela, M.D., Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine, on Wednesday, April 26, 2016, during a tour of the $54 million Medical Education Building in Edinburg.
Photograph By ALEX RÍOS
A major boost to the area economy in underway as a result of an estimated $172.4 million in direct expenditures from the ongoing construction of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine in Edinburg and the planned establishment of the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Medical Research Facility in neighboring McAllen, Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, has announced. “The total economic impact of the UTRGV medical school in the Rio Grande Valley is significant, according to an analysis by the university provided at my request, and this is just the beginning,” said the House District 40 lawmaker. Through the multiplier effect, the $172.4 million in direct spending creates 2,578 jobs, generates $75.1 million in labor income and adds $100.6 million in value added, for a total economic impact of $261.8 million, noted an economic analysis prepared by the university. Spending associated with the UTRGV medical school generates $7.3 million in state and local tax and $12.9 million in federal tax.
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by Legislative Media | Mar 31, 2016 | Politics
Featured: Agustín “Gus” García, Jr., Executive Director, Edinburg Economic Development Corporation, on Friday, September 25, 2015, participates in a panel discussion during the Inno’2015 Transportation Innovation Conference sponsored by South Texas College at its Technology Campus Atrium in McAllen.
Photograph By DIEGO REYNA
The financial statements and practices of the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation meet the highest standards that help ensure citizens and the public that the EEDC is properly managing its programs and services, according to an independent audit released on Tuesday, March 22, 2016. The EEDC, which is led by Executive Director Agustín “Gus” García, Jr., is the jobs-creation arm of the Mayor and Edinburg City Council. The audit, which is required by state law, was conducted by Noel Garza, CPA, who has been under contract with the EEDC for the previous five years to perform the financial review. His detailed work, which is available by requesting a copy from the EEDC, covers the fiscal year 2014-2014 activities of the EEDC.
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by Legislative Media | Jan 17, 2016 | Politics
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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by Legislative Media | Oct 31, 2015 | Politics
Featured: In this image taken on Tuesday, October 27, 2015, construction continues on schedule of the $54 million, 88,000 square foot University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine Medical Academic Building in Edinburg.
Photograph By MARK MONTEMAYOR
Just weeks after The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley officially opened its first fall semester, more outstanding news came to Edinburg and the Rio Grande Valley, said Mayor Pro Tem Homer Jasso, Jr. On October 16, 2015, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine announced it is now recruiting its inaugural class of students, after receiving preliminary accreditation from the federally recognized Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). The LCME designation allows the UTRGV School of Medicine to function as a medical school and implement its academic programs and curriculum. Scheduled to open in Fall 2016, the UTRGV School of Medicine plans to enroll 50 students into its charter class. “As part of the UTRGV campus in Edinburg, we are home to the first new academic building for the upcoming medical school, and UT System leaders have said there is room for more medical school facilities at our local campus in the future,” said Jasso. “These amazing developments just don’t happen on their own – it takes leadership and teamwork by everyone who is dedicated to bringing the resources we have earned to our home region.” With the Edinburg campus this fall bustling with action, including more than $150 million in ongoing and planned new construction, key city leaders are praising the landmark advances that highlight the historic first semester of UTRGV, whose largest campus is in Edinburg. “Since the first moment in 1927 when Edinburg Junior College was founded to opening day on Monday, August 31, 2015, when The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley opened with it first day of classes, generations of South Texans were able to receive a higher education that is first-class,” said Mayor Richard García. “Now, we are well on the way to creating, here in Edinburg and throughout the Valley, a university that will become world-class – among the best in the world.” García, who also serves as a member of the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, said that a revolution is taking place at the 318.1 acre local campus (with plans by the UT System to soon expand by another 53 acres) that deserve constant and deserving attention. Throughout its history, Edinburg Junior College, which then would become Pan American College, Pan American University, UT Pan American, has had many of the best students, faculty, and athletic and academic programs in Texas, the mayor recalled. “The unprecedented growth that is unfolding before our very eyes is a direct result of the vision, determination, hard work, and incredible successes of the huge number of graduates, citizens, and leaders who, for the past 88 years, have built the powerful foundation which will always support The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley,” said García. 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. Iglesias said UTRGV, which also has campuses in Brownsville, Rio Grande City, Harlingen, McAllen, and South Padre Island, draws considerable positive attention to deep South Texas and its people. “In its first semester, UTRGV registered almost 29,000 students Valleywide, with Edinburg being the largest component, both in physical size and enrollment, of any university south of San Antonio,” said Iglesias. “That figure places us among the top 10 largest student enrollments among Texas universities. According to UTRGV, the Fall 2015 total student enrollment among its campuses is 28,583. Iglesias said UTRGV – and its predecessor institutions, UT Pan American in Edinburg and UT Brownsville, which were brought together to become UTRGV – benefit from a deep and talented pool of students from deep South Texas. “It’s no wonder that Texas A&M announced in mid-September that they, too, plan to expand their presence in Hidalgo County with a new site a few miles down the road in McAllen from UTRGV,” Iglesias noted. “The UT and A&M Systems, which are among the best in the U.S., recognize what we in the Valley have always known – we have what it takes to be among the very best.”
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