U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.5 million grant to the city of South Padre Island, Texas, for construction of the Historical Museum of South Padre Island. Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
WASHINGTON, DC. – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.5 million grant to the city of South Padre Island, Texas, for construction of the Historical Museum of South Padre Island. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.
This project will support the local tourism industry by attracting new visitors to the city and its businesses through this new local attraction on South Padre Island. This EDA grant will be matched with $375,000 in local funds and is expected to generate $1.2 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.
“This project will boost tourism and attract new visitors to South Padre Island while providing economic stability for the region.”
“The Economic Development Administration works closely with communities to develop projects to boost the local economy,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment will support the development of a cultural, heritage and maritime museum that will draw tourists to the region while creating new jobs and economic opportunities.”
“The Economic Development Administration’s investment will help create new jobs and economic opportunities for the South Padre Island community, all while honoring the city’s rich history,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “The Historical Museum of South Padre Island will serve generations of Texans to come as both a cultural and historical symbol and help educate new visitors about the region’s heritage as we continue to boost our tourism and regional economies in the Lone Star State.”
This project is funded under EDA’s $240 million competitive American Rescue Plan Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation program. EDA awarded $510 million in 2021 to all 50 states and territories. The two programs are designed to accelerate the recovery of communities that rely on the travel, tourism and outdoor recreation sectors. Effective May 26, 2022, EDA has officially closed all of its American Rescue Plan programs for applications. The $3 billion program funding will be awarded on a rolling basis through September 30, 2022.
About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov) The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.
TSTC alumna Carina Garcia (middle) was a gold medalist in the Early Childhood Education category at the recent 58th annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo courtesy of TSTC.
HARLINGEN, Texas – Recent TSTC graduate Carina Garcia earned a gold medal in Early Childhood Education, and current student Raymundo Salinas received a silver medal in Medical Terminology.
Recent TSTC graduate Carina Garcia earned a gold medal in Early Childhood Education, and current student Raymundo Salinas received a silver medal in Medical Terminology.
Amanda Posada, interim provost at TSTC’s Harlingen campus and the college’s statewide dual enrollment executive director, said having the two compete at the national level was gratifying.
“Witnessing their passion and commitment in their respective fields and having the opportunity to showcase their skills and talent learned at TSTC is part of what SkillsUSA is all about,” she said. “Our medal recipients were excited to be recognized as the best of the best.”
Garcia, who recently completed an Associate of Applied Science degree in Education and Training, said she was filled with happiness to be announced as a gold medalist for TSTC.
“Myself and my fellow competitors were on stage to hear the final results,” Garcia said. “Then they announced the bronze and silver medalists. I was happy to hear my name as a gold medalist.”
Salinas, who is pursuing a certificate of completion in Vocational Nursing, said he was proud to be a silver medalist and to represent TSTC.
“This is an incredible achievement,” Salinas said. “Next year, that gold medal will be mine.”
Garcia said her category of the competition included a written exam based on knowledge of child development and effective teaching strategies.
“We were informed to create a lesson plan, a transition activity, a read-aloud to demonstrate in front of the judges, and we were interviewed,” she said. “This competition level was a bit intimidating because I was competing with the best from different states. I had a strong feeling I was going to be a finalist after I completed my competition.”
Salinas said his approach for the competition was speed.
“I knew if I could catch keywords as I read each question and eliminated answers I did not need, then for sure I had it,” he said. “Flash cards were my tools to master the speed for this test. Anatomy and physiology, medical math and pathophysiology played a big role for nationals. The test was 200 questions with a two-hour time limit.”
Garcia added that her SkillsUSA advisor, Myriam Aguila, was the key to her success.
“She is a role model,” Garcia said. “She has a huge passion for teaching and inspired me to possibly teach abroad one day.”
Aguila, statewide department chair of TSTC’s Education and Training program, said Garcia was a model student.
“I advised her to be confident, knowledgeable, passionate and enthusiastic about her performance,” Aguila said of the SkillsUSA national competition. “I suggested … to imagine a class of students was in front of her at all times.”
Salinas noted that he is thankful for his SkillsUSA advisor’s contribution.
“(Beyda) M. Ramirez’s knowledge is amazing,” he said. “Her goal is to witness her students succeed. I am grateful she witnessed my achievement.”
Ramirez, a TSTC Health Information Technology instructor, said her focus was to make sure that Salinas understood the many areas covered in the Medical Terminology competition.
“I advised Raymundo to rigorously prepare because the medical terms are the foundation of my Medical Terminology course,” she said. “It is composed of prefixes, suffixes and combining forms. That helped him better understand the medical language and the systems. Most importantly, that contributed to him winning a silver medal at the SkillsUSA national level.”
Registration for TSTC’s fall semester is underway. To learn more, visit tstc.edu.
The delegation of leading business executives will tour the region to learn more about the unique opportunities and business advantages of the Borderplex region. Image Courtesy of The Borderplex Alliance
Texas Border Business
EL PASO, Texas — This week, The Borderplex Alliance is hosting a delegation of business leaders from Taiwan. The delegation of leading business executives will tour the region to learn more about the unique opportunities and business advantages of the Borderplex region.
“Supply chain snarls, geopolitical tensions, and national security necessitate a new approach to globalization. Onshoring in the Borderplex region is the answer, ” said Jon Barela CEO of The Borderplex Alliance. We are honored to host this august delegation and confident they will find much to like about our region.”
This visit is the result of a years-long strategy by The Borderplex Alliance to position our region as the most competitive in the world for nearshoring/reshoring from Asia.
Business delegation head and TEEMA board member Tony Yuan noted, “Our companies look forward to helping foster a robust and resilient supply chain in the US, in conjunction with the electronics and electrical manufacturing facilities our members have already established right in this region. We hope new Taiwan companies will join existing investors such as Wistron, Inventec, LITE-ON and Delta Electronics in pursuing investment opportunities in this dynamic region.”
The American Institute in Taiwan’s (AIT) Commercial Chief, whose team recruited the Taiwan delegation noted: “AIT is proud to be partnering with The Borderplex Alliance to drive new Taiwan investments to the region. Taiwan companies across high tech industries are eager to invest in American supply chains. Several of the companies requested we come to the Borderplex region because of the welcoming regulatory environment and strong ecosystem that exists here.”
Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard are continuing to work together to secure the border, stop the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and people into Texas, and prevent, detect, and interdict transnational criminal behavior between ports of entry. Photo: Office of the Governor
Texas Border Business
AUSTIN, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard are continuing to work together to secure the border, stop the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and people into Texas, and prevent, detect, and interdict transnational criminal behavior between ports of entry.
Since the launch of Operation Lone Star, the multi-agency effort has led to more than 270,400 migrant apprehensions and more than 16,700 criminal arrests, with more than 14,000 felony charges reported. More than 5,600 weapons and more than $42.8 million in currency have been seized. Additionally, law enforcement have turned back more than 22,700 migrants from crossing the border.
Operation Lone Star continues to fill the dangerous gaps left by the Biden Administration’s refusal to secure the border. Every individual who is apprehended or arrested and every ounce of drugs seized would have otherwise made their way into communities across Texas and the nation due to President Biden’s open border policies.
Governor Greg Abbott on Wednesday announced the expansion of the state’s border security operations by creating Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) strike teams, establishing new inspection checkpoints targeting semi-trucks, and the deployment of additional resources from the Texas Military Department to mitigate President Biden’s growing border crisis. At a press conference in Eagle Pass, the Governor outlined ways Operation Lone Star agency partners are adding more resources and implementing strategies to secure all land owned or controlled by state and local governments along the border.
“Until President Biden decides to uphold immigration laws passed by Congress, the State of Texas will continue utilizing every tool available to secure the border and keep Texans – and Americans – safe,” said Governor Abbott.
Governor Greg Abbott joined Fox News’ Jesse Watters this week to discuss how the Biden Administration’s open border policies led to more than 50 migrants deaths in an abandoned tractor trailer.
With President Biden eliminating border security operations enacted by President Trump, the problem of human smuggling along the Texas-Mexico border has grown exponentially. The Governor also noted that President Biden has not introduced any plan to combat the cartels responsible for human smuggling and criminal activity.
This week, Governor Abbott discussed with Fox News’ Sean Hannity the dangerous situation at the Texas-Mexico border in the absence of robust federal actions to mitigate illegal migrant crossings and criminal activity. Following the deaths of more than 50 migrants smuggled in a tractor trailer, the Biden Administration has failed to address the realities of the issue.
Fox News’ Alexis McAdams tours DPS’ Houston crime lab, where DPS forensic scientists process fentanyl seized from across Texas. Nearly every street drug analyzed by the lab is laced with the synthetic opioid. Most of the fentanyl at the Houston lab arrives in pill form, but sometimes it arrives in a kilo form that contains up to 500,000 lethal doses with the potential to kill hundreds of thousands of people.
DPS Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspection At Facility In Pharr Results In Over 25 Bundles Of Seized Cocaine
A commercial motor vehicle inspection at the DPS Border Inspection Safety Facility in Pharr resulted in the seizure of more than 25 bundles of cocaine from a tractor trailer that originated in Mexico. The driver was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute. The total weight of the cocaine was nearly 60 lbs. with a street value of over $900,000.
DPS Lt. Chris Olivarez says the federal government has failed in its responsibility to secure the border, which resulted this week in the deaths of more than 50 migrants in a single incident. DPS troopers are seeing an increase in human smuggling events across the border region and expect more tragic consequences from the Biden Administration’s disregard of securing the border and combatting criminal activity.
Texas National Guard Establishes Blocking Position On Rio Grande With Tactical Vehicles, Riverine Assets
Last week, Texas National Guard soldiers established blocking positions on the Rio Grande using tactical vehicles and riverine assets. The areas surrounding the Hidalgo International Bridge are known for high volumes of illegal human trafficking and narcotic smuggling. The primary mission of the Tactical Response Unit is operations on the river, but teams routinely dismount on the Texas side of the river to interdict criminal activity.
DPS Lt. Chris Olivarez puts the blame for the rising number of human smuggling incidents on the Biden Administration’s border policy failures. “Why would they cancel the border policies that were working? That’s the question that needs to be asked,” Lt. Olivarez tells Fox News’ Sara Carter.
Texas National Guard Continues To Interdict, Apprehend Illegal Migrants Across Multiple Border Counties
The Texas National Guard has apprehended and referred more than 151,000 persons attempting to enter into Texas since March 2021. Illegal migrants attempting to evade detection make up the highest number of encounters along the Texas-Mexico border with an additional 92,000 surrenders.
As part of Operation Lone Star, soldiers continue to interdict and apprehend illegal migrants across multiple counties along the Texas border region.
DPS troopers pursued a driver in Kinney County who was later charged with evading arrest, smuggling of persons, and unlawful carry of a weapon. The driver was attempting to smuggle five illegal migrants into the U.S.
Texas National Guard Employ Riverine Assets To Interdict Criminal Activity Along Rio Grande
Texas National Guard employs more than 50 riverine assets along the Texas-Mexico border as part of Operation Lone Star to interdict criminal activity. The boats add capacity and flexibility to law enforcement assets along the Rio Grande and allow access to remote areas of land to maximize security operations.
In recent days, Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents encountered 1,171 migrants in eight large groups and disrupted three human smuggling events. USCBP Image
Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – In recent days, Rio Grande Valley Sector (RGV) Border Patrol agents encountered 1,171 migrants in eight large groups and disrupted three human smuggling events.
RGV agents encountered eight large groups totaling 1,171 migrants in Starr and Hidalgo counties in the last five days. The groups were comprised of 638 family members, 340 unaccompanied children, and 193 single adults. The migrants were from Cuba, Asia, and various Central and South American countries.
On June 29, RGV agents working in coordination with Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office deputies received information of a suspected stash house in Mission. RGV agents and local law enforcement convened at the residence and discovered 31 migrants who were unlawfully present in the U.S. The caretaker, a Mexican citizen, was identified and apprehended.
On June 30, Rio Grande City Border Patrol Station agents patrolling near Roma, encountered footprints of a small group of individuals leading away from the Rio Grande. Agents followed the tracks to a residence and requested assistance from the Roma Police Department. Inside the residence, they encountered 11 people, determined to be present in the United States illegally. The nationals of El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico were placed under arrest without incident. Agents also identified and apprehended the caretaker, a U.S. citizen.
That same day, McAllen Border Patrol Station agents observed a Chevrolet Avalanche loading up suspected migrants in Mission. An Air and Marine Operations asset from the McAllen Air Branch maintained a visual of the vehicle as it traveled northbound until the vehicle came to as stop and the occupants bailed out. Agents apprehended seven migrants unlawfully present in the U.S. The driver was not located.
U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Del Rio Sector apprehended three large groups of migrants in less than six hours, shortly after they illegally entered the United States, June 30. USCBP image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
DEL RIO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Del Rio Sector apprehended three large groups of migrants in less than six hours, shortly after they illegally entered the United States, June 30.
At approximately 10:58 a.m., a group of 299 undocumented migrants were apprehended after illegally entering the United States near Eagle Pass. The group consisted of migrants from many different countries consisting of 79 Cubans, 34 Colombians, 145 Venezuelans, three Ecuadorians, four Iranians, two from Bolivia, two Chileans, one from Mexico, one from Honduras, one Guatemalan, one from Panama, 16 Nicaraguans, and 10 Peruvians.
Approximately three hours later, another large group of 216 undocumented aliens were apprehended after illegally entering the United States near Eagle Pass. The group consisted of migrants from a variety of different countries: 62 Cubans, 23 Colombians, 112 Venezuelans, three Dominicans, 11 Peruvians, and five Nicaraguans.
Less than two and a half hours later around 4:41 p.m., 160 undocumented migrants were apprehended after making illegal entry into the United States near Eagle Pass. The group consisted of migrants from a total of seven different countries which included 37 Cubans, 97 Venezuelans, three Nicaraguans, 14 Colombians, five Peruvians, two Guatemalans, one from the Dominican Republic, and one from Guatemala.
“A large group is a group consisting of 100 subjects or more,” said Del Rio Sector Chief Patrol Agent Jason D. Owens. “Currently, the Del Rio Sector is responsible for over 50 percent of all large group apprehension in the nation. With less infrastructure and personnel than larger Border Patrol sectors, this puts a tremendous strain on our communities and keeps our agents from doing what they signed up to do – patrolling our border and keeping this country safe.”
All individuals were transported to the nearest Processing Center and processed in accordance with Customs and Border Protection policies.
To report suspicious activity, call the Del Rio Sector’s toll-free number at 1-866-511-8727.
Governor Greg Abbott today announced the expansion of the state’s border security operations by creating Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) strike teams, establishing new vehicle inspection checkpoints targeting semi-trucks. Photo: Office of the Governor
Texas Border Business
AUSTIN, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott today announced the expansion of the state’s border security operations by creating Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) strike teams, establishing new vehicle inspection checkpoints targeting semi-trucks, and the deployment of additional resources from the Texas Military Department to mitigate President Biden’s growing border crisis. Following a briefing in Eagle Pass with state and local officials, the Governor was joined at a press conference by DPS Director Steve McCraw, Adjutant General of Texas Maj. Gen. Thomas Suelzer, Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber, Eagle Pass Police Chief Federico Garza, and other local officials.
Photo: Office of the Governor
During remarks, the Governor outlined ways Operation Lone Star agency partners are adding more resources and implementing strategies to secure all land owned or controlled by state and local governments along the border. Governor Abbott announced that DPS is deploying strike teams, each consisting of 20 troopers, to the Eagle Pass region to detect and deter unlawful border crossings and apprehend illegal immigrants. Additional strike teams will be deployed to high traffic crossing areas as needed. In response to the tragic deaths of dozens of migrants being smuggled inside a semi-truck earlier this week, the Governor also announced that DPS will be implementing new vehicle inspection checkpoints targeting semi-trucks beginning immediately. The Governor added that the Texas Military Department will be deploying more razor wire along the Rio Grande, adding more miles of fencing and barriers on state and local property, and deploying additional boat teams.
Photo: Office of the Governor
“President Biden needs to focus on addressing the humanitarian crisis his reckless leadership has created at the border, instead of attacking the jobs of hardworking Texans and oil production in the Permian Basin,” said Governor Abbott. “The Lone Star State will not sit idly by as the federal government chooses to ignore the historic number of illegal crossings, human smuggling, and drug trafficking of deadly fentanyl from Mexico into the United States. Our government has no greater responsibility than to provide public safety to its citizens. Until President Biden decides to uphold immigration laws passed by Congress, the State of Texas will continue utilizing every tool available to secure the border and keep Texans – and Americans – safe.”
Governor Abbott has taken significant action to secure the border in the wake of the federal government’s inaction. Those actions include:
Photo: Office of the Governor
Securing $4 billion in funding for Texas’ border security efforts
Launching Operation Lone Star and deploying thousands of National Guard soldiers and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers
Arresting and jailing illegal migrants trespassing or committing other state crimes in Texas
Allocating resources that include acquiring 1,700 unused steel panels to build the border wall in Texas
Signing a law to make it easier to prosecute smugglers bringing people into Texas
Signing 15 laws cracking down on human trafficking in Texas
Signing a law enhancing penalties for the manufacturing and distribution of fentanyl
Issuing a disaster declaration for the border crisis
Issuing an executive order preventing non-governmental entities from transporting illegal immigrants
Taking legal action to enforce the Remain in Mexico policy
Taking aggressive action to secure the border as President Biden ends Title 42 expulsions, including busing migrants to Washington, D.C.
Signing memoranda of understanding between the State of Texas and the States of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas to enhance border security measures that will prevent illegal immigration from Mexico to Texas
Activating the Joint Border Security Operations Center (JBSOC) and directing the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Military Department, and Texas Division of Emergency Management to coordinate Texas’ response to secure the border
The 16th Annual Texas Cook’Em: High Steaks In Edinburg will be kicking off on Saturday, July 2, 2022, at Ebony Hill’s Golf Course, 300 W. Mark S Pena Dr. at 11 A.M. Courtesy Image
Texas Border Business
The 16th Annual Texas Cook’Em: High Steaks In Edinburg will be kicking off on Saturday, July 2, 2022, at Ebony Hill’s Golf Course, 300 W. Mark S Pena Dr. at 11 A.M.
Organizers anticipate drawing thousands of visitors to the FREE event. Here’s information to keep in mind when planning your trip.
Courtesy Image
Beginning at 6 A.M. on Saturday, July 2, 2022 locals can expect a portion of Freddy Gonzalez to be closed from 4th St. – 9th St. Drivers are advised to use S. Closner Blvd.
Parking will be available at the following locations:
South Middle School, 601 W Freddy Gonzalez Dr, Edinburg, TX
Richard Flores Stadium, 1800 S Stadium Dr, Edinburg, TX
Teleperformance, 1701 S Closner Blvd, Edinburg, TX
Free shuttle services will be provided to those who park at Richard Flores Stadium. Shuttles will be picking up guests in front of the Richard Flores Stadium box office.
Pedestrians are highly advised to use the crosswalk on the corner of Mark S. Pena Dr. & Closner Blvd.
Texas Cook’Em organizers and the Edinburg Police Department would like to remind the public to drink responsibly and stress the importance of sober driving.
Texas Cook’Em attendees can enjoy $10 off their Uber ride to the event, courtesy of L&F Distributors. The Uber code will be valid from 10 A.M. – Midnight on Saturday, July 2, 2022, using code: r.uber.com/rhBYZdSNDgJ Designated Taxi, Uber, and Lyft drop-off/pickup location will be at Teleperformance, 1701 S Closner Blvd, Edinburg, TX.
The public is invited to the 4th of July weekend celebration for FREE family entertainment such as the H-E-B Sizzle and Stripes Firework Show, 5×5 Freedom Jump (Skydive), Rico’s Playground, and Bert Ogden Car-Truck Show. Headlining this year’s festival will be Grammy Award winners, Los Palominos. General Admission entry for the concert is free to the public. Attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets.
For more information on Texas Cook’Em: High Steaks In Edinburg please call 956-383-4974 or visit www.edinburg.com.
Dr. Juliet V. Garcia, former longtime president of The University of Texas at Brownsville, will be presented with the nation’s highest civilian honor, The Presidential Medal of Freedom, on Thursday, July 7, in Washington D.C.. (Courtesy Photo)
Texas Border Business
By News and Internal Communications
RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas – Dr. Juliet V. Garcia, former longtime president of The University of Texas at Brownsville, will be presented with the nation’s highest civilian honor, The Presidential Medal of Freedom, on Thursday, July 7, in Washington D.C.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the Nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.
“I’ve always believed that educating the next generation of citizens was our primary mission because once educated, they would help nurture, defend, and sustain the democracy of the United States. I believe that now more than ever,” said Garcia.
It’s been a great privilege to spend a lifetime in advocacy working with hundreds of honorable and courageous people.”
Garcia, a current UTRGV communications professor, and 16 distinguished Americans are the first to receive the honor under President Joe Biden’s term. She joins an elite group of Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients that includes celebrities, politicians, and public servants.
Among the honorees are Denzel Washington, Simone Biles, Gabrielle Giffords, Megan Rapinoe, and others.
“Juliet has enriched the lives of many Rio Grande Valley students, from elementary to college,” said UTRGV President Guy Bailey. “Her contributions to higher education in South Texas and beyond are long lasting and have created pathways of success among a new generation of Latino leaders. On behalf of everyone at UTRGV, I congratulate Juliet on this well-deserved national award.”
ABOUT DR. JULIET V. GARCIA
She was the first Mexican-American woman to serve as a college president in the United States. During her tenure as president, Garcia pioneered a partnership between UT Brownsville and Texas Southmost College, a community college where she served as president from 1986 to 1992, when she assumed the presidency of UTRGV’s legacy institution UT Brownsville. She stepped down as UTB president in 2014 when UTRGV was established.
“My job was always to thrust open doors of opportunity for students to learn, compete, and succeed in the classics, chess, physics, or the performing arts. We did this by building a campus that unapologetically honors our cultural and environmental heritage, and then by filling it up with brilliant faculty and dedicated staff,” said Garcia.
Serving as a foremost anchor institution in our region meant that we were committed to convening people across political and geographic boundaries to engage in difficult dialogues to tackle the complex issues of finding ways to maximize the full potential of our human capital, develop sustainable communities to propel economic growth and advocate for the unique issues of our nation’s borderlands.”
The recipient of numerous awards, TIME magazine named Garcia one of the top 10 college presidents in the nation in 2009 and she was named one of the top 50 world leaders by Fortune magazine. In 2008, García was selected to join President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team.
Garcia, a Brownsville, Texas native, received her Ph.D. in communication and linguistics from The University of Texas at Austin and her M.A. and B.A. in speech and English from the University of Houston.
“Juliet Villarreal Garcia personifies the American dream. As the first Mexican-American woman to lead a U.S. college or university, Dr. Garcia has been the inspirational force behind countless individuals who made public service their life’s work and students who realized their academic potential,” said UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken. “I am proud to call her one of our own – as a distinguished alumna of The University of Texas at Austin and President of UT Brownsville – and I congratulate Dr. Garcia on this prestigious and well-deserved honor.”
With family-friendly activities beginning from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and nightlife from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. with participation from local bars, vendors, restaurants, and outside entertainment. Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – The City of Brownsville will be bringing back the long-awaited First Friday celebration at Market Square in our Historic Downtown. This event will be held every first Friday of every month, starting July 1st. With family-friendly activities beginning from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and nightlife from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. with participation from local bars, vendors, restaurants, and outside entertainment.
Initially built in 1850 as an open-air market in 1852, Market Square is considered the heart of Downtown activity and events. First Friday was created to promote, support and build attraction to Brownsville’s Historic Downtown area. Families are encouraged to enjoy live music and local street vendors selling food, art, crafts and much more. At the same time, visitors are encouraged to experience downtown nightlife with live music, outdoor stages and pedicabs that will be available for transportation around the district for those looking to enjoy visiting a variety of bars within the area.
“It’s all about the downtown business owners, it’s their initiative, and a way for the city to show its support. We have great food, music, and people, and we are highlighting an event that brings visitors and tourists to Downtown,” said Downtown Manager Allan Garces.
