[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6215771,"mediaKeyId","3656386-ccccf444a1f5c966640c020034983d98","parentId",3656386,"title","EDC approves $170,000 workforce training proposal; commits roughly $84,000 match for Rio Grande City ISD programs","audioSeconds",229,"startMs",2943000,"endMs",3172000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3656386-ccccf444a1f5c966640c020034983d98&start=2943&end=3172","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3656386-ccccf444a1f5c966640c020034983d98/thumbnail_2943000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6215771/Rio-Grande-City/Starr-County/Texas/EDC-approves-170000-workforce-training-proposal-commits-roughly-84000-match-for-Rio-Grande-City-ISD-programs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6215771-6b12d69b328161dbac16b733364bb29e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775066628&Signature=ZkLDtGZuGATDQzTdDPinZhv2INDCEbiyuROdC6GcsSBYfFg2r8~3OY9CzvqTvDzQbqRl~VQRFJ1G01wurcyOUDoJ~GE1wNFr5LxiNgR~HMg4MxI0ldtme77Cr~HsMIAwN00Xa-mgGFdrEFB~HqbyjxzUx1jzpHnoeZxIt0-SUaU6nfTIGtFHoq57zQezPfn5PWGH9XJ0Ljam56IwziiTvj~Syz--PjyTbOP30r652ANy0fPEFM1h0NtXZCrx5pmnNeOzUzR7X72B5lWDesE-OGR87EwGLSMIJlOsXsNCJG537dRLvNOxbMCudy-~W5evQy7uGPsQrWfOrkkrSppIVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Rio Grande City, TX","date","2025-06-03T21:17:07Z","article","The Rio Grande City EDC voted May 30 to approve applying for a Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) high-demand job training grant and to provide a local match for a multi-campus training package with Rio Grande City ISD.

Paloma Castro, who presented the proposal, said the total project cost is about $170,000 and that the EDC's contribution would be approximately $84,000. \"The total project cost to around $170,000 with the total program city EDC contribution going around $84,000,\" Castro told the board.

Castro described the program's major elements: training to provide 80 students with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VIDA) certification, professional development by sending 10 educators to a Region 1 conference for CTE courses, AWS welding workshops for four welding educators, and equipment purchases for carpentry, welding, automotive/collision repair (for one high school) and culinary arts (for the other high school).

A significant addition during recent coordination with the district was a proposed dental-assistant program for La Gruya High School. Castro said the dental-equipment allocation for that new program is about $49,000 and was the primary reason the EDC's match increased compared with earlier versions of the proposal.

Board members asked about equipment already in schools and about oversight. Castro said equipment allocations were discussed with the CTE director, that carpentry and welding equipment would be split between the two high schools, and that automotive/collision equipment is intended for Rio Grande High School because La Gruya does not have the classroom space. She said implementation is expected to begin in August and that invoice timing depends on TWC and the involved fiscal departments.

A motion to approve the TWC high-demand job training application and local grant match was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. Board members asked the grantee to report back on program progress periodically. The EDC added the estimated match to the 2024–25 work plan in a later agenda item.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","EDC Board of Directors Meeting May 30, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The EDC approved applying for a Texas Workforce Commission high-demand job training grant and agreed to provide an estimated $84,000 local match for a Rio Grande City ISD training package totaling about $170,000.","taxTitle","Rio Grande City, Starr County, Texas","taxId",69600,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6215775,"Rio Grande City EDC financial update shows $2.66 million fund balance; board seeks clearer work-plan accounting",432,463000,895000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3656386-ccccf444a1f5c966640c020034983d98&start=463&end=895","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3656386-ccccf444a1f5c966640c020034983d98/thumbnail_463000.jpg","/articles/6215775/Rio-Grande-City/Starr-County/Texas/Rio-Grande-City-EDC-financial-update-shows-266-million-fund-balance-board-seeks-clearer-work-plan-accounting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6215775-61b49d87600028f4e494bfbeb5c8c089/orig.mp4?Expires=1775066628&Signature=fHU2SRkfPG5xGuNiz89OktnMUPmZ4QbUBR1hnLfK4xNvDIf7N1yOMpndDkBClERVjVCyHNlJ8j-sC7NbL3u5Byi5P5L7MUu9Z4or-yP89SomH6E0GuHFRbyA59IiL-E7qRl8bQMrzKLKi3DXgoNJLL16X8~HULrEXsRJZ9N4rLSl5Elu~mDIVXlI7Q30z1lGltMsdQStfUlUabuC-SYcRAB~Y9BrRFZ7Jcow7DPG3IIf3Dypg1YlNmhjzU4CZMNuvsR1EOydxhySvn2Z9d8AucXsPwHc90jzQtzntgVggIypwGIzXqahOdpEmXw3nE3~wXRQ76~zoUup9H8B6dGZJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rio Grande City Economic Development Corporation reviewed a financial update at its May 30 meeting that included audited, year-to-date and projected fund-balance figures and prompted board members to request a more detailed work-plan accounting of pending obligations.

EDC finance officials said the audited fund balance as of Sept. 30, 2024, was $2,200,000. Ross Barrera, the EDC executive director, said that as of May 30 the year-to-date fund balance was $2,658,396 and that projected revenues of $585,892 and projected expenses of $642,863 would leave a projected fund balance of about $2,000,601 at the end of the fiscal year. \"That's not taking into account the economic development work plans,\" Barrera said, noting additional commitments could reduce the balance.

Board members pressed for clarity on which projects remain obligated or invoiced. Barrera and finance staff listed several items that are reflected in the work plan as pending obligations, including approximately $100,000 for the Los Veil project and about $100,000 for the Sedan Heights development; an ADA matching-funds item discussed as $50,000 in one place and a larger figure elsewhere; and amounts related to the boost grant program. Barrera said St. Ives (St. Ives/St. Nice in the packet) had a $150,000 item that had been paid and reclassified in the ledger; later in the meeting he confirmed that $150,000 related to St. Ives had been paid and moved to the economic-development account.

Several board members told staff they felt confused by numbers printed in the packet and requested an emailed, reconciled work-plan summary that distinguishes paid items from pending invoices. One board member asked for meeting materials at least 24 hours in advance going forward so members have time to review financial details.

EDC staff said sales tax revenue continues to rise, which supports EDC reinvestment, and noted unemployment is about 9.2% for the area (April figure cited by staff), down from an earlier county number. The financial report was listed on the agenda for information only; the board did not take formal action on the report itself but later approved specific work-plan amendments on other agenda items.","EDC staff presented a mid-year financial report showing a year-to-date fund balance of $2,658,396 and a projected fiscal-year-end fund balance of about $2,000,601; board members asked staff for a clearer, itemized work-plan ledger of pending obligations.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6215778,"Starr County Industrial Foundation outlines retail, logistics and energy projects in Rio Grande City",1266,1233000,2499000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3656386-ccccf444a1f5c966640c020034983d98&start=1233&end=2499","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3656386-ccccf444a1f5c966640c020034983d98/thumbnail_1233000.jpg","/articles/6215778/Rio-Grande-City/Starr-County/Texas/Starr-County-Industrial-Foundation-outlines-retail-logistics-and-energy-projects-in-Rio-Grande-City","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6215778-c506c4c041852303f7bce954bd2a6d5e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775066628&Signature=agsnZVffcD-zEQ~0VC2LQYsEVH-C3-Rg26P8UD40k-sXyI8XHiB4Bdv86OE~BrUKvgsofZCm2e6veZ585k8yCE400QYAJUzTcBuGJtuz1OS6pWtiyy4AgLuZg8PQ97x~lUAJ2XyGIYIjcwe7nz-wRO~ldsv6W3-SBExF5xIYH1vfs6rybUXkdFYJ8AkSg0JIUKrdexdlvEazMwpoIg4hMZUYq3Nk0rhM~k3sGvYWSoR-OWksWknNTGCvZqSKEERcKigTxXSv47HaBfW1pxvu~RcZM-3L4Fbmx9olo2f~ByWf~7fvyAd05m631zzqe5DWHtbD7YB~fWUWU4OkoelhhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Starr County Industrial Foundation representatives gave the Rio Grande City Economic Development Corporation a wide-ranging update on May 30, describing retail deals, industrial and logistics projects, and renewable-energy investments the foundation is shepherding into the region.

The presentation, delivered by a foundation spokesperson identified in the meeting as Miss Fernandez, outlined several potential and near-term retail projects. Fernandez said the foundation already has a letter of intent for about 15,180 square feet at the LEX facility and expects a retail user to appear before the EDC at a future meeting to request site or permitting assistance. \"We will tell you it is definitely retail,\" Fernandez said.

Fernandez also reported that AutoZone closed a deal at what the foundation is calling Centerpoint on Hospital Road and that Ross Dress for Less is scheduled to open in July in about 26,000 square feet, creating an estimated 50 to 75 jobs. Fernandez said a planned restaurant (identified by the foundation as a Canes competitor) represents roughly a $1,800,000 investment and would create about 30 to 40 jobs. The foundation described a larger north-side retail project of about 74,000 square feet that it expects to break ground in the third or fourth quarter of the year.

The foundation briefed the board on a public-private road project (Industrial Drive) tied to a bridge that, it said, is unlocking nearby logistics development. Fernandez said that work has helped catalyze a planned 10,000–15,000-square-foot cold-storage facility and related investment of about $18,000,000, and that a private partner is planning an international business center the foundation values at about $22,000,000–$25,000,000.

On trade and logistics, the foundation asked the EDC for letters of support to expand a small Foreign Trade Zone administered with the U.S. Department of Commerce. \"We need letters of support from you, so we'll be reaching out to you,\" Fernandez said.

Fernandez also described large renewable-energy development in the region. She said 20 projects are complete in the county (about $3.5 billion) and 10 are under development (about $1 billion). \"One of those projects is actually within the city limits of Rio Grande City; it's a $115,000,000 project,\" Fernandez said, adding the foundation's estimate that the project could add roughly $500,000 in ad valorem tax revenue to the city and about $1,500,000 to schools.

Fernandez closed by describing broadband and housing interest: a Starr County Broadband Coalition formed during the pandemic has paused while federal funding issues are resolved, and the foundation is receiving inquiries about multifamily housing. She said the foundation will continue outreach and regular briefings.

The item was a presentation; no EDC action was taken on these projects during the meeting.","Starr County Industrial Foundation staff briefed the Rio Grande City EDC on multiple retail leases, a cold-storage and international business center, foreign-trade-zone work and large renewable-energy projects that the foundation says will create jobs and raise local tax revenues.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6215761,"EDC holds executive session on contract review with Starr County Industrial Foundation; no action reported",2757,6364000,9121000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3656386-ccccf444a1f5c966640c020034983d98&start=6364&end=9121","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3656386-ccccf444a1f5c966640c020034983d98/thumbnail_6364000.jpg","/articles/6215761/Rio-Grande-City/Starr-County/Texas/EDC-holds-executive-session-on-contract-review-with-Starr-County-Industrial-Foundation-no-action-reported","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6215761-b8d81f3b25631a3fb46a2b84fa817799/orig.mp4?Expires=1775066628&Signature=X8yUgP7l~f6ECPjDUjbIRXxUmZNo4fN-3U9ZB9BKP8DnSh7leJjcvpXe1ofKtU6PEz9NMAMHW3iq1U1TyW2MX1jeD9ZP5w9ZB-TSdU9TxFz7uKSWd-hbOBctLlRWokMWUVAuJhvXPQbrztf00Ey5D7DwnXvgWvEjd6sB0Gh0R6lJt6YiZL5v6SItMqdIeX0T~6bcBGCxBLoBo9s5sxy0oDEzGS9Taqh2eX3eJ4rrdegqXXuxowqzMxrqFYg-yJw-38nw7suQXbbgNCed93q5s0c51IsXZouDte9R09-F3GqImYSsMn1Vav9vx38zvw3BvtkLtU3tkRwcWZfkz1HxVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At 1:31 p.m. on May 30 the Rio Grande City Economic Development Corporation went into executive session for consultation with the board’s attorney under Texas Government Code Chapter 551 concerning a legal review of the existing contract with the Starr County Industrial Foundation.

The board returned to open session about 2:32 p.m. The meeting record states, \"Item a, there is no action.\" No public action or vote followed the executive-session discussion.

The consultation was conducted under the statutory executive‑session provision; the board did not disclose details of attorney consultation in open session.","The EDC convened an executive session under Texas Government Code Chapter 551 to consult with legal counsel about the existing contract with the Starr County Industrial Foundation; the board returned to open session with no action taken on the item.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6215766,"EDC approves small-business incentive program and second round of boost grants; board asks staff to set tiers and outreach",1375,3620000,4995000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3656386-ccccf444a1f5c966640c020034983d98&start=3620&end=4995","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3656386-ccccf444a1f5c966640c020034983d98/thumbnail_3620000.jpg","/articles/6215766/Rio-Grande-City/Starr-County/Texas/EDC-approves-small-business-incentive-program-and-second-round-of-boost-grants-board-asks-staff-to-set-tiers-and-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6215766-b071d081d6204b9f22a08a9af8daeb7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775066628&Signature=HUAaZcaKFb2PWiJ9MBJPCD7zR5kqY~XYrEoGhiAwtkWUo8DtyiSmyNRVPOc57PQpa9Z5Il~AlJgzDQIfme7g-fZJqmmxF9IdwwdD~27-tPUy8g52TN~1F69RTt8ULmWNFWzsVS1QK4mP98kBYPOJm9WX~NZqmup9Sh3Vd70hUwxQaLb8W9thsN2j25Vw-Trqs4jWxW-NMaSafpgi0BkVdQlFBI~bXCXZXkwYt436WbK6GX51kR0Idkiy7AGn6muK1cJpWlIkOSv6xEbchOik0zsoVWVaWsAt4yy0vzs265p2ee8LW95YWa6~jD9Dp7tFe5PFzIbAxsA-8d8hts-8qQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rio Grande City Economic Development Corporation voted May 30 to approve an incentive program aimed at attracting and supporting new or expanding businesses and to authorize a second round of boost grants.

EDC staff presented a draft incentive application and scoring matrix intended to standardize decisions about financial incentives. Staff asked board members to approve the concept and to allow staff to finalize tiers (for example, by investment size) and predetermined award amounts for fairness and efficiency. Board members recommended creating tiers tied to investment or project size and a pre-set range of matching amounts so decisions can be made quickly and equitably.

Board discussion emphasized both recruiting new external businesses and helping local entrepreneurs. Board members suggested the EDC coordinate with the Rio Grande City Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Administration partners and a one-stop resource so prospective business owners can get help with business-planning, registrations and financing before applying. One board member suggested on-site weekly office hours or recurring workshops for entrepreneurs.

On the boost grants, staff said the first round awarded ten grants and that some applicants for later rounds lacked required documents (certificate of occupancy, permits, landlord approval). The board approved pursuing a second boost round (staff described the program as a $2,500 boost grant per award in the packet materials) and later amended the work plan to add $25,000 to cover the second round and to reserve an additional $25,000 if a third round is needed.

The board approved the small-business incentive program and the second round of boost grants by voice vote, and it directed staff to finalize the scoring tiers, set award amounts, coordinate with partners and begin proactive outreach to the business community.","The Rio Grande City EDC approved creating (and expanding) a small-business incentive application process, authorized a second round of boost grants and directed staff to develop tiers, amounts and outreach with community partners including the Chamber of Commerce and workforce providers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

EDC approves $170,000 workforce training proposal; commits roughly $84,000 match for Rio Grande City ISD programs

Rio Grande City EDC financial update shows $2.66 million fund balance; board seeks clearer work-plan accounting

Starr County Industrial Foundation outlines retail, logistics and energy projects in Rio Grande City

EDC holds executive session on contract review with Starr County Industrial Foundation; no action reported

EDC approves small-business incentive program and second round of boost grants; board asks staff to set tiers and outreach