Rio Grande Guardian's Podcast

LAREDO, Texas - The 32nd Annual Pathways For Trade Symposium takes place at the Laredo County Club on Thursday, Aug. 28. The evening before a reception will take place titled the Trade Ambassador’s Dinner. The symposium is being hosted, as always, by the Laredo Economic Development Corporation, which has served Los Dos Laredos for 58 years.  This year, the symposium’s title is “The New Era of Trade: Perspectives & Opportunities.” The symposium will explore the latest trends, policies, and challenges shaping global trade. A big focus this year will be the application of Artificial Intelligence in the logistics and manufacturing sectors. David A. Stedman, president and CEO of Laredo EDC, says he cannot think of a year when the symposium was more important.  “I don't think there has ever been a time where international trade is more on the national topic and horizon, with the advent of the America First trade policy from the Trump administration,” Stedman told the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service. “We have to be very astute and conscious of our supply chain, at a time when nearshoring is taking on a whole new dimension. We're basically reinventing the American supply chain as we go.” Stedman said he is pleased with the lineup of speakers assembled. “What we have done here with this symposium is bring together a collection of experts to give people an ongoing explanation of all the things that are going to happen and have happened with respect to our trade, not only with Mexico, but with Canada. We have a nice collection of local and national experts to give clarity to the situation, which is very volatile and very important to the future of the American economy.” Here is an audio podcast featuring LEDC leaders that previews the symposium. Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - On Friday, Aug. 1, the City of Brownsville and their outside consultants, Freese and Nichols, hosted a community information session about their new Downtown Renaissance Master Plan. Longtime Brownsville-based realtor Larry Jokl was sitting in the audience. At the end of the presentation Jokl got up and walked to the podium. After being given the microphone, he said he could not understand why the city planners and outside consultants had not discussed the planned Renaissance Park. “We have not heard one word about what could become the largest single project in Downtown Brownsville, and that is the Renaissance Park. Nothing has been said yet,” Jokl said.  He proceeded to explain the project. “This project is a collaborative effort between the city and the county. They're going to put together an inter-local agreement, which will be managed by a TIRZ board. That organization will administer what is going to become what we hope will be the largest single project you will see downtown.” TIRZ stands for Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone. “It (the interlock agreement) is going to come, hopefully, into fruition here in the next couple of weeks,” Jokl said.  Jokl asked if Brownsville Mayor John Cowen, Jr., was in the audience. Cowen had earlier spoken about the Downtown Renaissance Master Plan. Cowen was still at the event. Jokl proceeded to ask Cowen to nod his head if what he was saying was correct. Mayor Cowen nodded his head. “He (Cowen) is going to meet with the judge,” Jokl said, referring to Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño. “This is something that… I'm not going into the particulars, other than it will put downtown Brownsville, all of it, on the map for years to come.” Jokl continued: “The project could consist totally of about $500 million, which would be the largest thing that this city has seen in a long time downtown. So I'm very hopeful that I'm going to meet with some of these people, we're going to bring the developer and the stakeholders back into this.” Jokl said he could not go into great detail about the project at this stage. “It’s all still being worked on at this moment. But we want to begin to hear an awful lot about what's going to happen with this project and Downtown Brownsville.” Jokl said.  “It's going to help all of the owners of properties in the area. There will be all kinds of new and additional developments, which will take place over the next few years. You’re going to have a riverfront that is going to be totally different.” Jokl added:  “They're going to remove a lot of the area between St. Francis and the old bridge. It's going to be something similar to a River Walk. And if this gets started here soon, Matamoros wants to do the same thing. So, hopefully, everybody will begin to hear about it. I wanted to get in front of you because I heard absolutely nothing about it at this meeting.” Editor's Note: Here is an audio recording of Jokl's remarks at the City of Brownsville event.  Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.

EDINBURG, Texas - Pam Bentsen Havens and her mother, Marge Bentsen, have explained why they donated land for a million gallon water tower in north Edinburg. They said it was the right thing to do for the community. Here is the interview: The Bentsens gave the Rio Grande Guardian an exclusive interview at the conclusion of a ribbon-cutting ceremony the City of Edinburg held to unveil the new water tower. The new water tower cost $5 million to build. The money came from the City of Edinburg and Edinburg Economic Development Corporation. Edinburg Mayor Ramiro Garza described the new water tower as a “major infrastructure project” that “reflects the continued growth and resilience” of the city.  “Today we celebrate the completion of this new water tower, an investment that will strengthen our city's water system, help us meet the demands of our growing population and ensure that our residents and businesses continue to receive the reliable service they deserve,” Garza said. “This project is more than just the concrete and steel that you see behind me. It's about planning for the future and ensuring that our infrastructure keeps pace with the progress we are seeing across our community.” Garza continued: “As we continue to welcome new families, new businesses and new developments, we also recognize the importance of reinforcing the systems that support daily life. Clean, dependable water is one of the most critical services that we can provide, and this water tower is an essential commitment to that.” Garza thanked the Bentsen family and the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation for its investment in the project. “This is yet another step forward in our efforts to build a stronger, smarter Edinburg. And, we're not done. We will continue investing in infrastructure, improving services, and making sure that Edinburg remains a city we can all be proud to call home,” Garza added. Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.

WESLACO, Texas - The Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council set up the Small Cities Coalition in 2011 and, potentially, 46 cities could participate. Unfortunately, not all do, said LRGVDC Executive Director Manuel Cruz, at a recent meeting of the group. But that does not stop the LRGVDC from providing great services to the small cities, Cruz said. These include programs to help with economic development, job creation, infrastructure, and tourism.  Here is an audio recording of Cruz’s presentation to the Small Cities Coalition. Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.

WESLACO, Texas - Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority Chairman Robert L. Lozano has made a plea for unity when it comes to transportation projects across the region. Lozano made his comments at a special meeting of the Rio Grande Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization policy board. He is a board member of the MPO. HCRMA did not get its proposal for more funding for Segment 4 of the Hidalgo County Loop project passed yet Lozano, in n effort to show unity, still voted for the staff recommendation of RGVMPO. “My message is the same one that I started with many months ago, it's a message of unity,” Lozano said. The special meeting of the RGVMPO policy board was called because the group is facing a hard deadline. If it does not spend the money it has accrued soon it runs the risk of losing future funding from the Texas Department of Transportation. The MPO has carried over $102 million in what is known as Category 7 funds. Year after year the MPO carries over the funds because many of the projects on its to do list are not shovel ready.  In his remarks, Lozano pointed out that HCRMA does not normally seek Category 7 funding from the MPO. He said they made a pitch for funding for a particular segment of the County Loop because the MPO found itself in a “use it or lose it” situation.   “If the (RGVMPO) TAC (Technical Advisory Committee has a project and they know, they understand, that there's a unified desire to move this project forward, then I think that should influence the recommendation that the TAC is giving to the policy board, because they understand that in that community, in that area, that is what is being requested. That's what the need is. And the need is bubbling up in a unified fashion,” Lozano said. Lozano then answered his own question. Why did the RMA bring forward its proposal for Category 7 funding. “First, use it or lose it. Second, it's my understanding that the RMA historically has not requested Category 7 funds. However, all of y'all were witness to… the strong desire to accelerate Section A, 1 and 2,” Lozano said.  Editor's Note: To read the full story go to the Rio Grande Guardian website.  Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.