PHARR, Texas - The Pharr EDC Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing scholarship opportunities for graduating students residing in the city of Pharr.

The foundation supports both college and trade school career paths.

One of the foundation’s main fundraisers is an annual Casino Night. This year’s event will be held at the Regency Hall in Pharr on April 17.

To learn more about the foundation, the Rio Grande Guardian interviewed one of its founding board members, Veronica Gonzales.

“The Pharr EDC Foundation was a spin-off of the Pharr EDC, but the intent of the foundation was simply to raise money for students that are from the Pharr area, so that they can continue their education, whether that means going on to a two-year school, a technical school, a four-year school. We just want them to have the skills that they need to have a better quality of life,” Gonzales said.

“And so that's why the organization was formed. And it's been around since 2021, right after the pandemic, or the tail end of the pandemic. And it's been very successful. Already it has benefited over 515 students and given away more than $1.3 million in scholarships.”

Gonzales continued: “As time goes by, you kind of learn what works best. We have really firmed up the criteria for students that want to apply. They have to be from the Pharr area or at our high school. They have to be a high school senior. They have to also engage in some community service, at least 15 hours of community service, because we truly believe that when students get engaged in their community at an early age, that they're going to make it a habit in their lives to do that. And we want these students to be very well-rounded students, so either have an internship or 15 hours of community service, and then a grade point average of about 2.5 or higher.”

Gonzales says the Pharr EDC Foundation has two big fundraisers every year.

“We have a Golf Tournament that we do in the summer, and we also have a Casino Night, and our Casino Night is actually coming up. It's going to be on April the 17th, at the Regency Hall in Pharr. It's a lot of fun. You walk in, you think you've gone into a casino, and it's not a bunch of speeches. It's about having fun, having a little bit to eat and drink, and then just getting to play some fun games and networking with others in the community. But every dollar that we raise through the Casino Night goes to support these scholarships. And the scholarships are, I think, very good scholarships. They are $2,000 scholarships for students, $1,000 in the fall, $1,000 in the spring. And like I mentioned, we've given 515 of them away. So, the more you contribute at the Casino Night, the more goes to help these students and they can continue their education.”

Asked if there was anything else she wanted to add, Gonzales said: “I want to thank Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, because he's the one that initially had the idea of doing this. And Victor Perez at the EDC. The city helped with funds at the beginning, but now we are becoming self-sustaining by doing these fundraisers. So, I do want to give a shout out to the mayor, to the city commission for being very supportive of this program, and, of course, to everyone over at the EDC Foundation, the staff who work very hard to make these events a success.”

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LAREDO, Texas - Legendary workforce development leader Blas Castañeda has been mentoring high school students for 49 years.

The retired president of CTA Global Solutions will join with Area Health Education Center to hold his Annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony on March 27.

This event recognizes the exceptional academic accomplishments of students participating in CTA’s mentorship career development program.

The ceremony takes place at Falcon Event Center, 7718 McPherson Road in Laredo, starting at 6:00 p.m. on March 27.

“The mentorship career development program pairs experienced community leaders with high school seniors to provide career preparation, foster personal growth, and develop essential skills for university success. Through guidance, support, and networking opportunities, the program aims to assist students in successfully navigating the university admission and enrollment process,” said Blas Castañeda told the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service.

“CTA Global Solutions and AHEC are committed to empowering the next generation of leaders by providing scholarships to deserving students who have demonstrated academic excellence and a dedication to their future careers,” Castañeda said.

Castañeda became a well-known figure along the Texas-Mexico border when he chaired the Texas Border Coalition’s education and workforce development committee. His career included more than three decades in the higher education realm as chief external affairs/economic development officer at Laredo Community College.

Gov. Rick Perry appointed him to the Texas Workforce Investment Council. Gov. Ann Richards appointed him to the Texas Council on Workforce and Economic Competitiveness. He holds a Master’s and Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in International Trade. His resume includes an eight-year tenure as Laredo city councilmember and he was an active member of the Eagle Ford Consortium Tri-Chair Workforce of South Texas.

The Guardian secured an in-depth phone interview with Castañeda. The Guardian asked him why he started a mentoring program.

“In the neighborhood where I grew up, barely anyone going to college. The whole reason for that was mom and dad didn't have the money to pay for the college. So that was one of the reasons. The other reason was, when I was growing up, everybody had to go work. We used to go up north and work every year for, oh, maybe close to 20 years, working in the fields picking tomatoes and corn and lettuce and cherries and even pick up cotton. So we there was a major inopportunity to go to school,” Castañeda said.

Castañeda added: “Over the years I have helped tons of students get to university. Today, they're engineers, they're nurses, they're bankers, they've got their own business, all over the place. A lot of them are here in Laredo, but a lot of them went out, and they're in different parts of the country. So, I'm very happy that my 49 years of community service really paid off for a lot of people.”

Here is an audio recording of the Guardian’s in-depth interview with Castañeda:

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SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas - Veteran broadcaster Ron Whitlock, of Ron Whitlock Reports, recently interviewed U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar about Mexico’s water debt to the U.S.

Whitlock asked Cuellar if the U.S. should withhold water from Mexico in California, in retaliation for Mexico not releasing water into the Rio Grande. He also asked the Laredo congressman if he would support Laguna Madre Water District in its efforts to build a desalination plant that would provide potable water to the residents of South Padre Island.

Under a 1944 water sharing treaty, Mexico is committed to providing 350,000 acre feet of water a year. Mexico is badly in arrears in the current five year cycle. It owes the U.S. 1.3 million acre feet of water. The result has been devastating for South Texas farmers and ranchers. Texas’ last remaining sugar mill, in Santa Rosa, closed its doors last year due to insufficient water.

Here is an audio recording of the interview Whitlock secured with Rep. Cuellar.

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MISSION, Texas - Many of the state lawmakers that participate in next week’s Texas Water Day at the Capitol will likely know about the dire water crisis facing the Rio Grande Valley.

Certainly those that traveled the region as part of the Rio Grande Valley Partnership’s recent 2025 RGV Legislative Tour will be aware.

That is because they heard twice from Dante Galeazzi, president and CEO of the Texas International Produce Association. He spoke once during a panel discussion that focused on water availability challenges. That was held at the Center for Education & Economic Development in Mission. He also gave a speech at the Wonderful Citrus warehouse, also in Mission.

At both events Galeazzi was blunt. The Valley has a “water crisis” on its hands, he said.

“We've got a series of challenges that are driving the water situation here in South Texas,” Galeazzi said. Of our two international reservoirs, Falcon Dam is at 14% capacity. It’s never been that low. And Amistad Dam is at 26%.”

Galeazzi pointed out that only 58 percent of the water in those dams can be used in the Valley.

“Ninety percent of our fresh water here in the Valley comes from the river,” Galeazzi said, And Mexico owes more than a million acre feet (of water) under an international treaty.”

Galeazzi continued: “Talking about all of the inflows, every bit of water that's supposed to be coming to the Rio Grande Valley, or into the Rio Grande River, is down over the last 30 years. It's trending 30% down and more. So we have a dire situation.”

Galeazzi said more than 50% of the 1.3 million citizens that live in the Valley reside in unincorporated towns. As a result, he said, they depend on water districts to get their water.

“The water districts don't have water. Those guys aren't going to be able to turn on water and get it out of the faucets.”

Although the 1944 U.S.-Mexico Water Treaty is a federal issue, there are things the State of Texas can do to help the Valley, Galeazzi said.

“We're here at a very difficult time. I don’t want to understate it. It is doom and gloom time,” Galeazzi said.

“We are in a position where we have got to figure something out and the time to act is now. We can't postpone things until the next session. We can't kick this ball down the road.”

Editor's Note: Go to the Rio Grande Guardian website to read the full story.

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WESLACO, Texas - Famed businessman Alonzo Cantu has thrown his support behind the work of the Rio Grande Valley Broadband Coalition.

The RGVBC unveiled its RGV Broadband and Digital Opportunity Plan at the offices of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council.

The coalition noted that the Valley still lacks reliable internet access, holding the region back in a world that increasingly depends on digital tools. The coalition says its plan is a “bold initiative to ensure every home, business, and community anchor institution in the region has access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet.”

Cantu, president and CEO of Cantu Construction and Development, had a front row seat for the coalition’s presentation. He was seated next to Sergio Contreras, CEO of Atlas, Hall & Rodriguez, LLP., Both Cantu and Contreras are members of the Texas Broadband Development Office’s Board of Advisors.

To advance digital development in the region, the RGV Broadband and Digital Opportunity Plan focuses on:

• Expanding broadband infrastructure to connect unserved and underserved communities
• Increasing digital skills training to help residents navigate online education, work, and services
• Preparing a local workforce for in-demand, high-wage technology jobs
• Enhancing tele-health access to improve healthcare outcomes and lower costs
• Supporting small businesses in adopting digital tools to grow, compete, and better serve their customers

Jordana Barton-Garcia, director of the RGV Broadband Coalition, said the plan has been developed through a multi-sector partnership of local governments, internet providers, schools, healthcare institutions, small businesses, and nonprofits. She said the plan addresses long-standing connectivity gaps that have limited education, jobs, healthcare access, and economic growth across the region.

“Broadband is the foundation for opportunity in today’s economy,” Barton-Garcia said. “This plan represents a turning point, ensuring that all residents — no matter who they are or where in the Rio Grande Valley they live — can access the connectivity they need to thrive.”

At the conclusion of the, Barton-Garcia thanked all the stakeholders that had come together to agree on a plan of action. She said the coalition is already working to implement some of the plan’s activities and is actively seeking partners and funding opportunities to put the full plan into action and accelerate digital opportunity efforts.

It was at this point that Cantu asked if he could speak.

Editor's Note: Go to the Rio Grande Guardian's website to read the full story.

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MCALLEN, Texas - During his 2025 State of the City Address, McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos said he is often asked why he spends so much time in Mexico.

“Simple,” Villalobos said, answering the question. “Mexico believes in McAllen. Mexico embraces McAllen. Mexico invests in McAllen. Quiero que sepan mis amigos Mexicanos. Que McAllen entra alla a Mexico. And we depend on each other for trade and commerce, and tourism. And many times, we are just family. A todos mis amigos Mexicanos. To all my Mexican friends, please stand and be recognized.”

In his remarks, Villalobos spoke about the networking opportunities presented at McAllen’s annual MxLAN Summit. He said the 2024 event welcomed over 40 businesses and 90 participants from Mexican states such as Aguascalientes, Chihuahua, Durango, Jalisco, Tamaulipas and more. “The summit helped build more than 37 emerging business partnerships and new opportunities for McAllen,” he said.

Villalobos also pointed to McAllen’s decision to set up a Department of International Relations. “It has had an immediate impact,” the mayor said, running through some of the cities and countries that have sent representatives to McAllen thanks to the outreach of the new department. He said diplomats from Ireland and France have visited the city, along with the governor of San Luis Potosí, and sister city delegations from Apodaca, Puerto Vallarta, Reynosa and Monterey.

He said they also welcomed delegations from the departments of state in Aguascalientes, Chihuahua, Durango, Oaxaca, Puebla, Quintana Rio, Tabasco, Veracruz, and Zacatecas.

“In Mexico City we hosted McAllen Day, and in Monterrey we secured agreements with World Trade Center Monterrey, with the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo León, and with COMCE Noreste, the Mexican council for foreign aid,” Villalobos said.

“And we just signed a trade agreement with a state of San Luis Potosi and a reaffirmation of sister city agreements with San Luis capital. And McAllen’s first friendship partnership agreement with Tampico.

“McAllen’s agreements will push economic growth, help develop new businesses, build cultural connections, and bring our nation and people closer.”

Editor's Note: The attached audio also includes Mayor Villalobos' remarks on the Anzalduas International Bridge. For the full story go to the Rio Grande Guardian International News website.

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MCALLEN, TEXAS - The Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects (I-LinCP) is partnering with the Rio Grande Valley Partnership to present its inaugural program in the Rio Grande Valley.

Building the Valley - Uniting for RGV Regional Growth will highlight the significant of organizations like the RGV Partnership and UT-Rio Grande Valley in shaping the region’s future.

The program will also explore the opportunities in the region for AEC (architecture, engineering, and construction) and allied professionals.

The event takes place Thursday, Feb. 13, between 11:00 and 2:30 p.m. at the Embassy Suites by Hilton McAllen Convention Center.

The target audience is AEC and allied professionals, public sector leaders, developers, financiers, and investors, community leaders and stakeholders.

One of the speakers at the event will be I-LinCP founder Carol Warkoczewski The mission statement of I-LinCP is to “evolve the capital projects industry though sharing of knowledge for optimized leadership, delivery and performance.”

Warkoczewski believes attendees will gain insights into upcoming projects, selection processes, and project delivery methods, as well as foster partnerships that drive RGV engagement and economic growth.

A past president for I-LinCP is Shea Johnson, senior vice president for development at South Texas Facility Partnership. STFP is title sponsor of the event.

Johnson’s colleague at STFP, Brian Godinez, gave the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service a preview of what to expect at Building the Valley - Uniting for RGV Regional Growth.

“Strong partnerships lead to lasting growth. Join I-LinCP, the RGV Partnership, UTRGV, and other industry leaders as we explore the critical role of partnerships and best practices in driving success in the Rio Grande Valley,” Godinez said. “Discover the opportunities, challenges, and impactful initiatives shaping the future of the RGV.”

Here is an audio recording of an interview the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service secured with Godinez about the event:

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AUSTIN, Texas - State Sen. Juan Hinojosa has given a shoutout to retiring Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp for his critically-acclaimed Bordering the Future report.

Sharp published “Bordering the Future: Challenge and Opportunity in the Texas Border Region” in 1998 whilst he was Texas State Comptroller. The report gave an in-depth assessment of the economic, political, and social condition of the Texas border counties. The report showed that if the 43-county region stretching from El Paso to Brownsville were a state unto itself, it would rank first in the nation in poverty, first in unemployment, and first in the percentage of residents without a high school diploma.

“One of the biggest impacts you had, besides statewide and all the different programs pushing A&M to a much higher level, was in the Rio Grande Valley,” Hinojosa told Sharp.

“You will recall, in 1999 you released a report about the challenges and opportunities that the border area offered to the state. And from that report you suggested and recommended certain initiatives. And we implemented those initiatives. They have made such a difference in taking the Valley out of poverty, making it into an economic success.”

Hinojosa made his comments during a Senate Committee on Finance hearing at the state Capitol. Sharp was there to testify on Texas A&M’s funding requests for the next biennium.

“People don't realize the impact that Chancellor Sharp has had throughout our state and the nation, and for that, we are very grateful and thankful for what he did,” Hinojosa said.

Sharp penned a guest column about Bordering the Future for Texas Monthly in September 1999, after he had left the Comptroller’s Office. He said:

“As a son of South Texas—I was born and raised in Victoria—I confess to a certain bias. I think the challenges of the border region demand our attention now, not later. I think the future of our state, even those areas that are far removed from the international boundary itself, will increasingly be subject to the ups and downs of the border.

“The Texas workforce of the future will be drawn largely from this region, where a huge and growing population of young people gives us a comparative advantage envied by other states. If we continue to shirk our responsibility to provide them with the best possible education, those young people will be a liability large enough to drag down the rest of us. But if we offer them the educational and training opportunities they deserve, they will drive a future prosperity so strong that it will make the books of the past look like a barn dance.”

Editor's Note: Go to the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service website to read the full story.

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