Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business
Teclo Garcia, CEO of the Mission Economic Development Corporation, announced that the Ruby Red Ventures – Build Mission Fund check presentation ceremony took place at the Mission CEED Building on Thursday, November 20, 2025. Garcia said the event marked another step in Mission EDC’s ongoing effort to “support local entrepreneurs as they expand operations, create jobs, and contribute to Mission’s continued economic momentum.” All efforts for this year’s funding cycle were carried out under the direction of Mission EDC Board President Richard Hernandez and Vice President Deborah Cordova, along with Secretary Estella Saenz, Treasurer Julian Alvarez III, Directors Jose G. Vargas and Carl Davis, and Mission Mayor and EDC Director Norie Gonzalez Garza. The ceremony was held at the Mission CEED Building, 801 N. Bryan Road, in Mission.
Mission EDC awarded $225,000 to 15 small businesses, with each receiving up to $15,000 through the Ruby Red Ventures – Build Mission Fund. The recipients represented a wide range of industries, including print shops, beauty parlors, cappuccino bars, and other locally owned establishments. According to Mission EDC, the funding will be used “for equipment, renovations, inventory, and other improvements,” helping the businesses upgrade and expand their services. The check presentation brought together business owners, their families, members of the EDC board, and Mayor Garza. Applause filled the room as the Mission EDC board and the office of Senator John Cornyn awarded certificates to the business owners. Mission EDC also recognized PNC for its continued support and partnership.
Now in its tenth year, Ruby Red Ventures leveraged $250,000 for 2025, continuing a decade-long commitment to growing Mission’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Mission EDC describes Ruby Red Ventures as a program created “to promote innovation, job creation, and economic growth within Mission, Texas.” Established in 2013, the initiative was designed to reduce barriers for residents starting or expanding a business by offering business-planning courses, mentorship, and grant funding. The program’s name reflects the city’s heritage, referencing Mission’s well-known ruby red grapefruit.
Over the past decade, Ruby Red Ventures has awarded close to a million dollars in grants to dozens of Mission businesses. According to Mission EDC, these investments have supported “job creation, business expansion, façade improvements, equipment upgrades, and long-term business development.” The organization says the program has played an important role in strengthening the local economy and helping retain talent within the community. By providing financial and educational support to both new and established entrepreneurs, Ruby Red Ventures continues to reinforce Mission’s identity as a growing hub for small businesses and local innovation.
