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Mission EDC highlights entrepreneur grants, downtown assistance and resident scholarship awards
Summary
Mission Economic Development Corporation reported winners of its Ruby Red Ventures competition, plans to continue a downtown assistance grant program and ongoing scholarships for Mission residents through a partnership with South Texas College.
The Mission Economic Development Corporation (EDC) updated council on economic programs including the Ruby Red Ventures entrepreneur competition, a downtown assistance program, and scholarship awards available to Mission residents.
Ruby Red Ventures and downtown assistance: Teckley Garcia, CEO of the Mission EDC, said this was the second class of Ruby Red Ventures, a six-week entrepreneurship program run with UTRGV; winners received cash awards of $25,000 (first), $15,000 (second) and $10,000 (third). Garcia identified Consuelo Behavioral Health Services as this year’s first-place winner, Pet Lovers Pet Salon as second and a patisserie as third. He also described a downtown assistance program that provides $25,000 grants to six downtown businesses (on Conway Corridor) for uses ranging from roofs to equipment and working capital; the EDC opened applications for another six awards with an application period through August and a submission deadline the Tuesday after Labor Day (September 2).
Resident scholarships and partnerships: Garcia described a long-running scholarship partnership with South Texas College; the EDC has awarded scholarships to more than 1,000 students to date and said the program has distributed roughly $2 million in awards over its history. Garcia discussed an upcoming scholarship deadline (he referenced a July 31 deadline for one program and said applicants should check program details) and said the scholarship funds can be applied to tuition, certificates and training programs at STC.
Trade conference and awards: Garcia said he represented Mission at a trade and immigration conference in Mexico City and noted the city’s EDC received a region-wide leadership award from the RGV Partnership. He asked council to support continued EDC programming.
Why it matters: The EDC programs are intended to spur small-business formation, stabilize downtown commercial corridors and keep post-secondary education affordable for Mission residents; cash awards and marketing support are designed to create immediate operational support for local businesses and increase workforce development.
