Los Fresnos CDC approves grants for Monte Carlo Event Hall, buys marketing tool and re-elects board leaders

The Los Fresnos Community Development Corporation on Feb. 2 approved funding and contracts to support local business development, including two grants for the Monte Carlo Event Hall and a subscription to a marketing and mapping service, and re-elected board leadership for another year.

The board approved a CDC portion of $1,877.50 for a sign grant for Monte Carlo Event Hall, located at 309 East Ocean Boulevard, and a CDC contribution of $3,829 toward a storefront grant after reviewing three bids. A presenter for Monte Carlo described the venue as intended for corporate events, small weddings and birthday parties and said the business also operates a catering company. The presenter told the board, “what we want to do with this new business venture … is basically cover the whole spectrum when it comes to events,” and thanked the board for the grants.

City manager Jeffrey reported on a separate action to purchase a marketing design and mapping service from Flyer View Group LLC to produce brochures and location-specific data for prospective businesses. Jeffrey said the CDC plans to use the product to generate professional materials and to integrate the content into the CDC’s website. He summarized the expected cost as a first-year setup/subscription fee of $99.95 with an ongoing annual fee described in the presentation as $49.95; the board voted unanimously to approve the platinum package. “The top momentum word for 2026 was growth,” Jeffrey said, citing live polling results from the CDC’s Business Circle event that drew 43 sign-ins and prioritized funding, marketing and networking as top requested resources.

The board also re-elected Henry Huades as president and Daniel Alvarez as vice president for one-year terms. Huades accepted the nomination and cautioned he has other obligations, saying, “I’ve been very very busy with my gunsmithing business … I thought I'd give myself one more year and if I don't pick it up then … I know I missed the meeting again.” Both elections were approved by voice vote.

Staff presented a monthly financial snapshot showing 18 transactions totaling $44,691 and sales-tax receipts outperforming budget by roughly $5,800 through the third month of the fiscal cycle; December sales tax was reported as up 13.44% year over year and year to date up 7.46% (figures presented by Mr. Milm). The board moved to acknowledge the monthly, year-to-date and sales tax reports; that motion passed unanimously.

City manager updates included progress on the CDC website and a proposed new logo, a scheduled professional headshot session for board members on Feb. 18, preliminary steps toward a high-demand job-training agreement with workforce partners, Earth Day planning for April 18 with LFCISD participation and a planned reading by local author Dr. Ela Nandez, and a regional trails ribbon-cutting described as advancing a multi-jurisdictional connection toward the Palo Alto area.

Votes at a glance: approve minutes (Jan. 5, 2026) — approved unanimously; acknowledge December 2025 financial report — approved unanimously; Monte Carlo sign grant (CDC share $1,877.50) — approved unanimously; Monte Carlo storefront grant (lowest bid $7,658; CDC share $3,829) — approved unanimously; Flyer View Group LLC platinum marketing/mapping package (first-year $99.95; follow years $49.95 as presented) — approved unanimously; elect Henry Huades president and Daniel Alvarez vice president — approved unanimously.

The meeting record shows the CDC intends to use the new marketing materials and the Business Circle events to connect prospective businesses with information and with partners such as the SBA; board members reiterated that CDC funds are to be used according to existing guidelines and that staff should act as facilitators for external funding rather than as guarantors for private ventures. The board adjourned the item review at approximately 6:41 p.m.