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Harlingen EDC reports small-business grants, job wins and large pipeline claims
Summary
Orlando Campos, CEO of the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation, told the commission the EDC supported 107 small businesses with the Harlingen Strong program, helped close 10 projects creating about 453 jobs and presented a development pipeline the staff described as roughly $5.9 billion in potential investment.
Orlando Campos, chief executive officer of the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation, presented the EDC’s final FY2024-25 work-plan report to the City Commission and highlighted business attraction, retention and resiliency efforts.
"The mission of the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation is to improve the quality of life of the citizens of Harlingen through the creation of wealth, jobs, and investment," Campos told commissioners as he ran through the year’s accomplishments. He said the EDC attended 12 trade shows and generated 145 industry leads, submitted 30 corporate relocation proposals to the governor's office and conducted 88 local company visits representing about 7,000 employees.
Campos reviewed small-business supports, including a $38,000 facade program that leveraged an estimated $451,000 in private investment and an "Harlingen Strong" grant program that supported 107 small businesses with more than $312,000 to aid cleanup and recovery after the March floods. He also said the EDC closed 10 projects that collectively represent about 453 new and retained jobs and an estimated $15 million in capital investment.
On forward-looking projects, Campos said the EDC has a pipeline of active prospects that the agency estimates could represent approximately $5.9 billion in potential capital investment; he characterized that figure as a pipeline estimate rather than completed commitments. Campos also discussed workforce development partnerships, grants for infrastructure (including a $1.6 million detention-pond project) and entrepreneurship programs.
Commissioners asked for metrics verification and for the EDC to continue work on an innovation hub and workforce training. Campos said the hub initiative was delayed due to the EDC’s emergency grant work following the floods and pledged to prioritize it in the coming year.
Next steps: EDC will pursue remaining pipeline work, continue small-business supports and return to the commission with updates on the incubator/hub planning and the status of active projects.
