Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business
PHARR, Texas- The Pharr Global Business Hub celebrated its first anniversary, marking a year that organizers described as defined by collaboration and growth. The initiative, jointly by the Pharr EDC and UTRGV’s Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Commercialization Center, has “become exactly that and more,” according to Pharr EDC President & CEO Victor Perez.
“Good morning… It is an honor to welcome you all as we celebrate the first anniversary of the Pharr Global Business Hub,” Perez said. He noted that the Hub was launched to create “a dynamic space where international business entrepreneurs, universities, and industry partners could come together to innovate, expand, and succeed.” Over the past year, he added, the Hub has seen “incredible momentum, new partnerships, new business activity, [and] new opportunities,” helping demonstrate “the strength of Pharr as a global gateway.”
Perez emphasized the importance of the partnership with UTRGV, noting that the concept for the Hub began before COVID-19 and was revived through joint commitment. “We cannot do it alone,” he said. “We need our partners… This is why we’ve been so successful.”
Representing UTRGV, Linda Ufland, director of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Commercialization, highlighted the university’s role in providing entrepreneurial support through six centers offering resources in small business development, government contracting, veterans’ business support, economic research, and incubation. “This has been an amazing year,” Ufland said. “It has been a year of learning, of exploring, and of making an impact in the City of Pharr.”
Ufland described UTRGV’s Global Soft-Landing program as a key asset for international companies looking to establish operations. “Why not the Rio Grande Valley? Why not Pharr?” she said, citing the region’s logistical advantages and broad resource network.
The celebration also acknowledged a significant achievement: recognition at the International Economic Development Council Annual Conference in Detroit for work supporting international investment. The project was described as a “one-stop shop” that supports business startups, logistics, market-entry strategy, legal compliance, and local and international business expansion.
Entrepreneurs who completed the Hub’s Kaufman FastTrac programs shared their experiences. Dina Sabnani, “The Joy Activator,” said the program offered essential guidance: “There’s never a lack of resources. It’s a lack of being resourceful.” Elizabeth Cantu of Aroma Di ‘Liz Candle Co. said the course opened “the doors to endless possibilities,” helping her expand her natural candle and aromatherapy business.
CJ Sanchez of the Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce emphasized the value of continued collaboration, noting that the Chamber’s new office next to the Hub allows for more coordinated support. “A heartfelt gratitude to the Pharr EDC… Their vision and investment have made a tremendous impact,” he said.
Pharr City Commissioner Ricardo Medina thanked entrepreneurs for their persistence and commitment. “You have to have a lot of courage to do it,” he said, acknowledging the challenges of launching new ventures. “In the long run, the hard work will pay off.”
The event concluded with recognition of the Hub’s incubator members and a reflection on the year’s progress. Organizers expressed optimism for the future, noting that continued collaboration will guide the Hub’s next phase of growth.
