RGV Business Journal

RGV Business Journal

The Rio Grande Valley Business Journal is all about highlighting the businesses, leaders, and stories that keep the Valley thriving. The goal? To connect our communities and keep you in the know about the opportunities shaping the RGV’s future. From small businesses to major developments, the RGV Business Journal is your inside look at what’s happening across the Valley.

  1. 5d ago

    How Weslaco Hit $1 Billion in Sales Tax | Steve Valdez, EDC Director | RGV Business Journal Podcast Ep. 36

    Weslaco is one of the Rio Grande Valley's most strategically located cities — and right now, it's one of the fastest growing. In this episode, RGV Business Journal host Naxiely Lopez Puente sits down with Steve Valdez, executive director of the Weslaco Economic Development Corporation, to talk about what's really driving the city's growth.Steve covers:• How Weslaco's central location gives it a workforce pool of nearly 1 million people within 30 miles• The industrial park that's already 50% sold just three years after opening• Sam's Club's arrival and how it will transform the Highway 1015 corridor• Crossing the $1 billion taxable sales mark — for a city of 50,000 people• How downtown Weslaco went from 15 vacancies to a thriving nightlife district• Facade and interior improvement grants still available for business owners• The Pollo Loco groundbreaking — six years in the making• A peek at a major future project that Steve can't quite talk about yet🎙️ RGV Business Journal Podcast | Episode 36📰 Read more at RGVBusinessJournal.com📧 Contact Weslaco EDC: (956) 969-0838 | weslacoEDC.com#Weslaco #RGVBusiness #EconomicDevelopment #RioGrandeValley #SouthTexas #TexasBusiness #SmallBusiness #SteveValdez #WeslacoEDC #RGVValley

    23 min

  2. Jun 9

    How the RGV Red Crowns Soccer Club landed in a FIFA World Cup: a discussion with Jamal Fayyad, founder and president of the RGV Red Crowns campaign

    The RGV Red Crowns started as a community-first soccer club built from scratch — with the Valley helping shape the name, colors, identity and mission.Now, the semi-pro team is set to appear in a national Bank of America campaign tied to the FIFA World Cup.In this episode of the Rio Grande Valley Business Journal Podcast, Naxi Lopez sits down with Jamal Fayyad, founder and president of the RGV Red Crowns, to discuss how the team was built, why community buy-in matters, and how a local soccer club caught the attention of one of the world’s biggest sporting events.Fayyad explains why the Red Crowns are focused on local athletes, local businesses, local artists and a Valley-wide identity — from playing at Harlingen Field to partnering with Brownsville’s Pluton Brewery and giving young players a path to the next level.The conversation also explores the economic impact of the commercial shoot, the Valley’s image beyond border stereotypes, and what it would take for the Red Crowns to eventually move toward professional soccer.Topics covered:• RGV Red Crowns and Valley soccer• Bank of America’s FIFA World Cup campaign• Community-first sports branding• Harlingen Field and local soccer culture• Opportunities for Valley athletes• Local business partnerships and sponsorships• The economic impact of filming in the RGV• The future of professional soccer in South Texas👉 Subscribe to the Rio Grande Valley Business Journal for more reporting on business, sports, culture, economic development and the forces shaping South Texas and northern Mexico.

    44 min

  3. Jun 1

    The Creator Economy Comes to the Valley — And It's Not Leaving | Yaw Sam, CEO of Brand Genius and co-founder of Social Fest, discusses all things Social Fest and its phenomenal growth.

    Naxiely Lopez-Puente sits down with Yaw Sam, CEO of Brand Genius and co-founder of Social Fest, to discuss how the event is growing after drawing more than 1,000 attendees in its first year.Sam explains why Social Fest was created, how organizers brought national and international speakers to the Valley, and why the 2026 event is moving to the McAllen Convention Center.The conversation also explores the business side of content creation — from brand deals and paid platforms to food creators, lifestyle creators, and the growing role of AI in helping entrepreneurs build businesses.Looking ahead, Sam says Social Fest aims to become a destination event for creators, marketers, small businesses, students, and brands looking to connect with one of the country’s largest Hispanic and young consumer markets.Topics covered:• Social Fest 2026• Creator economy growth• Content creators and brand deals• Marketing, AI, and audience building• Hispanic and young consumer markets• Food, lifestyle, and sports creators• Keith Lee and national speakers• McAllen Convention Center👉 Subscribe to the Rio Grande Valley Business Journal for more reporting on business, marketing, entrepreneurship, and economic development across South Texas and northern Mexico.

    24 min

  4. May 23

    The SBA Toolbox: Funding, Mentorship & the RGV Economic Boom | Justin Crossie

    In this National Small Business Week special, we sit down with Justin Crossie, South Central Regional Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), to talk about the tools, resources, and capital available to entrepreneurs in the Rio Grande Valley and across Region 6.Justin breaks down:✅ What the SBA actually does beyond loans✅ How to access capital as a first-generation entrepreneur✅ Why South Texas is seeing a manufacturing resurgence✅ When to reach out to the SBA (hint: it's earlier than you think)✅ Resources available right now for women-, minority-, and veteran-owned businessesWhether you're dreaming of starting your first business or scaling an existing one — this episode is your starting point.#SmallBusiness #SBA #RioGrandeValley #Entrepreneurship #NationalSmallBusinessWeek #RGV #SouthTexas #BusinessPodcast

    12 min

  5. May 12

    Inside the McAllen foreign trade zone: How it works & why it matters - An interview with Mark Garcia

    What exactly is a Foreign Trade Zone — and why does it matter for businesses in the Rio Grande Valley?In this episode of the RGV Business Journal Podcast, host Kristin Mossbrucker-Garza sits down with Mark Garcia, CEO of the McAllen Foreign Trade Zone, for a wide-ranging conversation on one of the Valley's most important but least understood economic assets.Mark breaks down how the FTZ program works, who benefits from it, and why the McAllen zone — now celebrating its 56th year — has grown to nearly one million square feet of industrial space. He also shares big news: a strategic land acquisition in North McAllen near the Mórán Air Base, where a mixed-use development is planned alongside the incoming $750M USDA screw worm facility.Topics covered:✅ What a Foreign Trade Zone is and how it saves businesses on duties and taxes✅ The "inverted tariff" benefit and how BMW uses it✅ How the program adapted during recent tariff uncertainty✅ Expansion into Willacy County and what it means for the region✅ The North McAllen development: industrial, commercial, educational, and more✅ Infrastructure challenges: roads, water, fiber, and the 765kV transmission line✅ How the FTZ fits into the broader RGV bridge and logistics ecosystem✅ Advice for any Valley business considering the programWhether you're in manufacturing, logistics, importing, or real estate — this is a conversation you don't want to miss.🎙️ Guest: Mark Garcia, CEO — McAllen Foreign Trade Zone🎤 Host: Kristin Mossbrucker-Garza, Reporter — RGV Business Journal📰 Read more at: rgvbusinessjournal.com #ForeignTradeZon#McAllenT#RioGrandeValley#RGVEconomy

    49 min

  6. May 5

    The Valley isn’t a secret anymore — investors, SpaceX, and real estate momentum: Daniel Galvan, of Coldwell Banker, discuss what’s driving demand, where deals are happening, and the evolving market

    Real estate investment in the Rio Grande Valley is shifting — as outside capital, major projects like SpaceX, and regional growth reshape how the market operates.In this episode of the Rio Grande Valley Business Journal Podcast, Naxiely Lopez-Puente sits down with Daniel Galvan, a broker at Coldwell Banker Commercial, to discuss what’s driving demand, where deals are happening, and how the market is evolving.Galvan explains how national and international attention on the region — particularly around Brownsville — is bringing new investors into the Valley, while local buyers continue to reinvest in their communities.He also breaks down what defines a “good deal” today, how pricing has stabilized after the pandemic surge, and why rising costs like insurance and operations are making investors more cautious.The conversation explores industrial demand, limited supply coming online, retail expansion, regional growth beyond McAllen, and where capital is flowing across the market.Topics covered:• Real estate investment trends in the Rio Grande Valley• Outside vs. local capital• Impact of SpaceX and regional growth• Industrial, retail, and commercial pricing• Supply and demand in industrial space• Investor concerns: insurance, costs, and risk• Where capital is flowing in today’s market👉 Subscribe to the Rio Grande Valley Business Journal for more reporting on business, trade, real estate, and economic development across South Texas and northern Mexico.

    13 min

  7. Apr 27

    From Smart Factories to Rare Earth Minerals: UTRGV Researchers Dr. James Li and Dr. Ahmed Bendaouia on the Future of Advanced Manufacturing in the RGV

    n this episode of the Rio Grande Valley Business Journal Podcast, reporter Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza sits down with Dr. James Li and Dr. Ahmed Bendaouia of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s Institute for Advanced Manufacturing to discuss how the region can compete for the next generation of manufacturing investment.Advanced manufacturing is changing what economic growth could look like in the Rio Grande Valley — from AI-powered factories and robotics to workforce training, supply chains, and major industrial projects.Li explains why manufacturing remains a major engine for innovation, job creation, and regional prosperity — and why the Valley may have a narrow window to attract new industrial operations.Bendaouia breaks down how AI, digital twins, robotics, and data are being used in manufacturing, and why these tools are meant to support workers rather than replace them.The conversation also explores SpaceX, Saronic, LNG, rare earth minerals, supply chain gaps, workforce development, and what it would take for the Rio Grande Valley to become a stronger industrial hub.Topics covered:• Advanced manufacturing in the Rio Grande Valley• AI, robotics, and digital twins in industry• Workforce training and high-tech jobs• SpaceX, Saronic, LNG, and anchor companies• Rare earth minerals and supply chain security• UTRGV’s role in regional economic development👉 Subscribe to the Rio Grande Valley Business Journal podcast for more reporting on business, trade, manufacturing, and economic development across South Texas and northern Mexico.

    1 hr

  8. Apr 22

    How UTRGV Football Is Driving a Business Boom in Edinburg, TX. Networking, Emmitt Smith & the Game-Day Economy| RGV Business Journal Podcast

    🏈 Emmitt Smith is heading to the Rio Grande Valley — and Ronnie Larralde of the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce tells us exactly how it happened (spoiler: it's all about your network).In this episode of the RGV Business Journal Podcast, we explore the business boom happening right now in Edinburg and across the Rio Grande Valley — from 127 new housing subdivisions to the game-day economic ripple effect of UTRGV Vaqueros football.📌 TIMESTAMPS00:00 — Intro02:00 — Edinburg's 100-year chamber milestone05:00 — Population growth: 77K to 108K+08:30 — UTRGV football & the game-day business impact14:00 — Business Playbook Conference: what to expect18:30 — Emmitt Smith: how they booked him22:00 — Sessions: marketing, law, franchises & resources27:00 — Free micro-internship program31:00 — UTRGV economic impact numbers reveal35:00 — Edinburg as a destination & festival city📅 Business Playbook Conference — April 23🎟 Tickets at edinburg.com | Members $50 · Non-members $75🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode of the RGV Business Journal Podcast.#RGVBusiness #EdinburgTX #EmmittSmith #UTRGVFootball #RioGrandeValley #BusinessPodcast #RGV #TexasBusiness

    26 min
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About

The Rio Grande Valley Business Journal is all about highlighting the businesses, leaders, and stories that keep the Valley thriving. The goal? To connect our communities and keep you in the know about the opportunities shaping the RGV’s future. From small businesses to major developments, the RGV Business Journal is your inside look at what’s happening across the Valley.

Information

  • Creator
    RGV Business Journal
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © RGV Business Journal
  • Show Website
    RGV Business Journal

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