Rio Grande Valley Business Journal

RGV Business Journal heads to Social Fest to find stories worth telling

By RGV Business Journal Staff • November 11, 2026 • 2 min read

The Journal will connect with entrepreneurs, hear business story pitches and join a panel on storytelling during the two-day event in McAllen.

Latest News

U.S.

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Amazon expands Valley delivery network with massive new McAllen station

November 11, 2026 • 3 min read

The new facility in south McAllen expands Amazon's local delivery network, with city officials citing new employment opportunities.

Tourism

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Rio Grande Valley hotel owners join the fight to lobby SBA for higher loan limits. Here’s why

November 9, 2026 • 3 min read

Hotel owners in South Texas often need to build or renovate properties beyond federal small-business lending limits; meet the organizers working to change that.

Entertainment

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South Padre Island leaders are exploring paid parking for beach visitors. Here’s what you need to know

October 27, 2026 • 10 min read

Several businesses already charge visitors for parking lots or garages, but hundreds of free spots exist across the island. Now the city might change that.

Real Estate

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SpaceX’s old tax breaks in Cameron County expired last year. Now it wants incentives for a Starbase data center

November 11, 2026 • 3 min read

SpaceX had a 10-year property tax abatement deal with Cameron County roll off the books, but now it wants a new round of tax breaks.

Industrial Real Estate

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New $3M warehouse and office development planned for McAllen

November 8, 2026 • 1 min read

Rueda Investments LLC plans a $3 million warehouse and office development in McAllen, with construction scheduled to begin in January 2027.

Retail

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Brownsville developer mulls hotel near SpaceX inside 20-acre mixed-use project

November 10, 2026 • 3 min read

Since the project began, the road to SpaceX has gotten busier, and the master-planned development is taking shape, with a hotel in the works.

Technology

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Greater State Bank earns national recognition for digital banking technology

November 10, 2026 • 2 min read

Nomination recognizes technology that supports customers across ITM, mobile and online banking.

Economic Trends

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Family seeks citizenship for Harlingen Marine killed in Vietnam 60 years ago

November 10, 2026 • 13 min read

A Harlingen Marine died in Vietnam just days before completing his tour. Now, an eyewitness is helping his family tell the story of his final mission as they continue seeking posth

Economic incentives

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SpaceX seeks economic incentives for $24B Starbase data center and power plant

November 8, 2026 • 3 min read

Elon Musk’s growing business portfolio in South Texas appears to include a data center inside the new city of Starbase and a power plant.

Immigration

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Rio Grande Valley saw 10,000 people deported, projected $180M economic loss

September 29, 2026 • 6 min read

About 43% of those economic losses stem from 2025 alone, according to the Caminos Institute inaugural report.

Commercial Real Estate

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7 Brew Coffee plans $1.25M drive-thru location in Palmhurst

November 9, 2026 • 2 min read

The new location would continue the Arkansas-based coffee chain’s expansion in the Valley, following projects in McAllen and Weslaco.

Business spotlight

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RGV Business Journal and SiteData unveil new tool to track the Valley’s economy

November 9, 2026 • 5 min read

The new interactive Data Center tracks the region's economy and combines economic indicators, property information, construction activity and city comparisons across the Valley.

Infrastructure

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How $164M in water conservation funding could help environmental sustainability in the Rio Grande Valley

November 6, 2026 • 5 min read

Irrigation District managers presented to the North American Development Bank board in McAllen, Texas.

Energy

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Valley leaders develop blueprint to negotiate benefits from AI data centers

November 3, 2026 • 5 min read

The proposed framework calls for water protections, expanded broadband access, local jobs and millions in community investments as data centers expand across South Texas.

Logistics

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What Toyota’s $3.6B San Antonio expansion could mean for the Rio Grande Valley

October 29, 2026 • 5 min read

Toyota's San Antonio expansion could create opportunities for Valley manufacturers, even as the region loses ground to competing Texas border crossings.

Residential Real Estate

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$12.3M apartment complex planned for Brownsville

November 7, 2026 • 1 min read

The proposed development on Paredes Line Road would include two three-story buildings with one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.

Water

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Brownsville launches water alerts to help customers detect potential leaks

November 5, 2026 • 2 min read

Brownsville utility customers will receive text or email notifications when smart meters detect 24 hours of continuous water use, allowing them to investigate possible problems.

Mexico

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New leader takes over water group as South Texas braces for major shortages

November 5, 2026 • 7 min read

Anthony Stambaugh takes charge of regional water planning as state projections show a potential shortage of 924,400 acre-feet by 2030 across eight counties.

Agriculture

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Mexico meets annual water obligation, but Valley farmers are still paying the price

October 31, 2026 • 4 min read

Agricultural leaders say more than 20,000 acres of vegetables will go unplanted despite improved water deliveries, while Mexico still owes water from the previous treaty cycle.

Education

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UTRGV, Pharr EDC to host free government contracting workshop

November 4, 2026 • 2 min read

Small businesses can learn how to compete for federal, state and local contracts during a Nov. 5 workshop at the Pharr Global Business Hub.

Demographics

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Rio Grande Valley could add 109,500 residents by 2060, but not all counties are expected to grow

November 2, 2026 • 3 min read

Over the next three decades, the Rio Grande Valley could add enough people for a new mid-sized city, state demographic leaders estimate.

International trade

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NextDecade races toward 2027 LNG production at Port of Brownsville

November 2, 2026 • 4 min read

The company's first two production trains are nearly 80% complete overall, with initial LNG production expected in the second quarter of 2027.

Healthcare

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Weslaco opens new pathway to healthcare careers for 25 residents

November 2, 2026 • 3 min read

Texas Southmost College will train 25 Weslaco residents at Knapp Medical Center beginning in January, creating a pathway to entry-level healthcare jobs.

Workforce

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South Texas mayors join forces on water, infrastructure and economic development

October 31, 2026 • 4 min read

Mayors from McAllen, Brownsville, Edinburg and Harlingen coordinated efforts to attract investment, secure infrastructure funding and address regional water needs.

Manufacturing

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TSTC to take manufacturing training directly to employers

October 29, 2026 • 3 min read

The Harlingen-based mobile lab will deliver hands-on instruction in robotics, automation and industrial technology, helping companies train workers on-site.

Finance

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New Texas Workforce Commission grant to help upskill 78 employees in the RGV’s manufacturing sector

October 28, 2026 • 4 min read

The grant will fund continuing educational programs for local workers through the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s manufacturing training center.

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