Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
The City of Pharr and its Economic Development Corporation (PEDC) have been recognized by the Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) as the 2025 recipient of the Workforce Excellence Award in the population category of 40,001 to 100,000. The announcement was made during TEDC’s Mid-Year Conference, held June 19, 2025, in Rockwall, Texas.
Commissioner Ricardo Medina and Victor Perez, President and CEO of the Pharr Economic Development Corporation, accepted the award on behalf of the city. The Workforce Excellence Award honors Texas communities that demonstrate exemplary implementation of innovative and impactful workforce development initiatives.
With an estimated 2023 population of 80,410, Pharr was explicitly recognized for its Healthcare Workforce Training Initiative. This program, launched in January 2024 and ongoing, was developed in partnership with the Lower Rio Grande Valley Workforce Development Board and RGV College. The initiative was designed to address regional shortages in healthcare labor by providing targeted training in high-demand fields such as vocational nursing, medical assisting, and pharmacy technology.
Funding for the program came through local economic development sales tax revenues and federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds. The collaboration enabled the training of nearly 50 individuals in 2024 alone. Of these, 39 students completed the program—an 83% retention rate—after receiving tuition support and job-aligned training. In addition to student aid, the program upgraded six classrooms and one skills lab with $137,364 in medical equipment and provided professional development for 25 instructors at RGV College.
The model is being hailed for its innovativeness and transferability. The Pharr EDC created a scalable template for regional workforce development by combining local and federal funding streams with institutional partnerships. The program’s measurable results and emphasis on underserved populations stand out in terms of community commitment and long-term impact.
“We are honored to be recognized for tackling workforce challenges with bold, innovative solutions,” said Pharr City Commissioner Ricardo Medina, who also serves on the Pharr EDC Board of Directors. “By tapping into the potential of our people and creating pathways to opportunity, we are building a workforce that is ready to grow with Pharr.”
“This award is a testament to the hard work of our Pharr EDC team and our shared commitment to creating real economic and workforce opportunities,” said Victor Perez, President/CEO of the Pharr EDC. “I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to our partners who believed in this project and worked with us to bring it to life,” added Perez. “We are proud to serve our community and continue building a stronger future for Pharr.” The initiative is already producing secondary economic benefits by enhancing the regional healthcare talent pool, improving income potential for graduates, and strengthening employer confidence in local hiring.
“Our TEDC’s Workforce Excellence Award is one of the ways in which our organization honors the outstanding work done by our communities and regions, their leaders, and their economic development professionals in workforce development,” noted Carlton Schwab, President/CEO of the TEDC.
TEDC, founded in 1961, is the largest state economic development association in the United States, representing over 1,050 members. Its mission is to foster positive business climates through information, education, and legislative support.
Pharr’s recognition by TEDC reflects the city’s proactive approach to addressing workforce needs and its strategy to drive economic resilience through education, collaboration, and targeted investment.
