Texas Border Business
By Veronica Salinas
McCoy’s Building Supply is helping South Texas College (STC) lay the foundation and build a stronger construction workforce by donating $10,000 and tools to the South Texas Builders Association (STBA) in support of the new South Texas Construction & Innovation Academy.
The academy is being developed through a partnership between the STBA, STC and Donna Independent School District to introduce students to construction careers and provide hands-on learning opportunities that can help prepare them for their futures.
“Having a place where we can bring these opportunities to students in the Mid-Valley means so much to us,” said Israel Medrano, Construction Supervision Program lecturer at STC. “Donna ISD opening its doors to us, allows us to meet students where they are and give them the chance to discover what they can accomplish. We have an opportunity to build something that will last well beyond us. If we leave our footprint today and give these students a strong foundation, the future will be brighter for everyone who follows.”
McCoy’s donation will help equip the academy with tools and resources that students can use as they develop practical skills and gain a better understanding of the construction industry.
“For us, giving back is about more than making a donation, it’s about investing in the people and communities that make our industry strong,” said Raul Lopez, McCoy’s store manager. “We want students to have the opportunity to learn, grow and discover a career they can be proud of.”
The initiative is expected to grow beyond its initial focus on high school students. Organizers hope to eventually offer opportunities for adults in the community, including evening classes that would allow working adults to develop construction skills and explore careers in construction.
This partnership demonstrates the impact that can come from bringing education, industry and community organizations together around a shared goal – preparing the next generation of skilled construction professionals.
For Efrain Gomez Jr., owner of Gomes 3 Construction and a member of the STBA Board of Directors, the academy represents the beginning of a larger vision for the Mid-Valley.
“We’re not just building a program, we’re building a pathway for the future,” Gomez said. “This is the first step, but it is an important one. We want the Mid-Valley to become a mecca for construction management, where students and adults can come together, learn the skills they need and find opportunities to build meaningful careers without having to leave their community.”
