Texas approved just four new cultural districts. Two are in the Rio Grande Valley
By RGV Business Journal Staff • September 8, 2026 • 5 min read
Economic incentivesEntertainmentTourismU.S.
Brownsville and Edinburg earned the state designation, qualifying them to compete for grants aimed at tourism and economic development.
Latest News
- Texas Venture Fest returns to Brownsville, connecting Valley entrepreneurs with statewide startup network
- Texas approved just four new cultural districts. Two are in the Rio Grande Valley
- Texas businesses can get up to $500,000 to train existing workers under state program
- Pharr launches new forum focused on cross-border trade, logistics and investment
- The McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge is getting nearly $2M in upgrades
- RioPlex takes South Texas, Northern Tamaulipas investment pitch to Mexico City
- Brownsville opens up to $30,000 in storefront grants for District 2 businesses
- What you need to know about Texas A&M’s newest manufacturing hub near the Port of Brownsville
- New $14M cold storage warehouse coming to South McAllen
- How Vantage Bank is fighting modern financial fraud — and what customers can do to protect themselves
U.S.
View All
Texas Venture Fest returns to Brownsville, connecting Valley entrepreneurs with statewide startup network
The free event will connect Rio Grande Valley founders and investors with a statewide gathering expected to draw more than 3,500 participants.
Finance
View All
Texas businesses can get up to $500,000 to train existing workers under state program
The Texas Workforce Commission is accepting applications for Upskill Texas, which reimburses qualifying employers up to $3,000 per worker for training.
Tourism
View All
RioPlex takes South Texas, Northern Tamaulipas investment pitch to Mexico City
Regional leaders will meet with international business and government representatives to attract new investment, particularly in advanced manufacturing.
Economic incentives
View All
Brownsville opens up to $30,000 in storefront grants for District 2 businesses
The BIG LIFT program will reimburse eligible small businesses for 80% of exterior improvement costs, with applications open through Oct. 9.
Entertainment
View All
Brownsville advances as finalist for potential professional soccer team
The city says an interested ownership partner has emerged as Brownsville competes with one other city for a United Soccer League expansion team.
Workforce
View All
What you need to know about Texas A&M’s newest manufacturing hub near the Port of Brownsville
The $30 million manufacturing hub is nearing completion and hiring instructors as it prepares to expand workforce training in Brownsville.
International trade
View All
Pharr launches new forum focused on cross-border trade, logistics and investment
The inaugural Gateway Forum will bring industry leaders to Pharr in October to discuss international trade, logistics, and economic development in the Valley.
Mexico
View All
The McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge is getting nearly $2M in upgrades
Three projects are expected to renovate offices, restrooms, and maintenance facilities at the international crossing in Hidalgo.
Logistics
View All
New $14M cold storage warehouse coming to South McAllen
The 58,308-square-foot facility is planned along Honduras Avenue, an area home to produce and distribution operations near the U.S.-Mexico border.
Immigration
View All
Thousands of Mexicans are being sent back through Matamoros — bringing skills that could reshape Tamaulipas’ economy
Matamoros handled nearly 90% of Tamaulipas’ repatriation events through May — almost 14 times as many as Reynosa.
Infrastructure
View All
Harlingen hits pause on $27M offer from company planning 1,000-acre data center
Commissioners want the company to face the public first as residents raise concerns about transparency, water and the project’s impact on the community.
Real Estate
View All
Proposed Brownsville refinery advances with major engineering deal as investment decision nears
Matrix Service Company will design the refinery’s storage tank farm, a key piece of infrastructure needed before the proposed project can move toward construction.
Manufacturing
View All
Valeo pitches Texas A&M McAllen students on careers in automotive technology and sustainability
As Valeo prepares its new McAllen plant, executives are introducing local engineering students to careers shaping the next generation of vehicles.
Commercial Real Estate
View All
San Juan Acura dealership sold, will become Lumos Acura
Lumos Auto Group has acquired Acura of the Rio Grande Valley from Bill Bird and will operate the San Juan dealership under a new name.
Education
View All
UTRGV lands in national top five for affordability and student outcomes
UTRGV ranked No. 4 nationally and No. 1 in Texas in a Washington Monthly ranking measuring access, affordability, student outcomes, and public service.
Industrial Real Estate
View All
Produce company plans $3M expansion in South McAllen
Chula Brand plans to add roughly 25,000 square feet to its McAllen facility, with construction expected to begin in October.
Sponsored Content
View All
How Vantage Bank is fighting modern financial fraud — and what customers can do to protect themselves
From bank impersonation scams to AI-powered deepfakes, financial fraud is evolving. Vantage Bank explains the threats and how customers can protect themselves.
Technology
View All
Dallas Fed finds AI is already cutting into Texas job postings
Texas businesses are using more artificial intelligence, and new research suggests companies are already hiring less for some of the jobs AI can help do.
Energy
View All
The Valley landed the projects. Now it has to power them — and the others that are following
Industrial growth is bringing power requests larger than Brownsville’s electric system as the Valley races to expand power and water infrastructure.
Water
View All
Northern Tamaulipas farmers are leaving fields unplanted — and it’s not just because of drought
Nearly half the planned sorghum acreage went unplanted as farmers face low prices, rising costs and limited financing.
Economic Trends
View All
Nonstop Orlando flights are back in Brownsville — and off to a strong start
Breeze has carried approximately 2,800 passengers in its first three months, with flights nearing 90% capacity during peak travel periods.
Agriculture
View All
Texas A&M’s $53.5M McAllen research center will tackle water, food security and Valley health
The project has grown by more than 4,000 square feet since it was announced, with construction now targeted to begin in February 2027.
Healthcare
View All
Texas hospitals are losing $27M a day in Medicaid funding. Here’s why the Valley should care
More than 333,000 Valley residents rely on Medicaid, including roughly 234,000 children, raising the stakes as Texas hospitals face billions in federal funding losses.
Business spotlight
View All
Port of Brownsville could soon host Nodule City, a first-of-its-kind commercial deep-sea mining hub
The Metals Company is eyeing 1,466 acres at the port for Nodule City, a proposed hub to process metals mined from the Pacific seafloor.
Residential Real Estate
View All
McAllen metro shifts toward a buyer’s housing market as Brownsville metro stays balanced in July
Home sales increased across both Valley metros in July, but McAllen had nine months of inventory while Brownsville remained balanced at six months.
Retail
View All
Twin Peaks is coming to Brownsville and South Padre Island
The sports restaurant chain is planning new locations in Cameron County as part of a broader South Texas expansion agreement that also includes Laredo.
Demographics
View All
Reynosa and Matamoros emerge as Tamaulipas’ population engines
Reynosa and Matamoros now account for more than one-third of Tamaulipas’ population, fueled by manufacturing, logistics, and cross-border trade.
Most Read
- SpaceX is giving Brownsville $220M for water projects. In exchange, the city gave up zoning control of 444 acres near Starbase
- Port of Brownsville could soon host Nodule City, a first-of-its-kind commercial deep-sea mining hub
- South Padre Island developer mulls new hotel or multifamily project, secures zoning for both
- SpaceX seeks to take zoning control over nearly 450 acres from city of Brownsville as a ‘regional’ water deal takes shape
- The Valley landed the projects. Now it has to power them — and the others that are following
Get the latest business news delivered to your inbox every morning for free.
Try 30 Days Free!
Get full access to award-winning journalism covering business, real estate, health care, economic trends, and the people shaping the Rio Grande Valley.
30 Days Free!
$9.95/month
Limited time offer
Subscription renews after your 30 day free trial at $9.95/mo.
Included Benefits
- Unlimited access to all articles
- Daily business news and analysis
- Subscriber-only content and features
In the Headlines
- Environmental advocates push back as Starbase votes to dramatically expand city limits near Boca Chica Beach
- $1B desal plant secures land on South Padre Island
- SpaceX’s operations projected to generate $13B economic impact in Cameron County
- U.K. business plans massive data center in Harlingen, records show
- Cameron County set to acquire B&M Bridge, adding fourth international crossing to its network
