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

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.

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

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

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.

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.