PRESS RELEASE

Media Contact: Yuri Gonzalez
Phone: (956) 310-2139
Email: [email protected]

Pharr EDC Wins 2025 Workforce Excellence Award from Texas Economic Development Council

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 2025

Pharr, Texas – The Pharr Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is proud to announce that it has earned top honors from the Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC), receiving the prestigious 2025 Workforce Excellence Award at the TEDC Mid-Year Conference held June 19th in Rockwall, Texas.

Each year, TEDC recognizes communities across the state for their exceptional efforts in workforce development. The awards highlight programs that demonstrate innovation, collaboration, measurable results, and long-term impact. Pharr was selected as the winner in the population category of 40,001 to 100,000, joining other top-performing cities and regions from across Texas.

The Pharr EDC stood out for its efforts to address critical healthcare workforce shortages through a high-impact initiative under the High Demand Job Training (HDJT) Program. In partnership with Rio Grande Valley College and the Lower Rio Grande Valley Workforce Development Board, the EDC helped launch a training project that targeted underserved populations and supported local healthcare employers.

The project leveraged local economic development funds and matched them with funding from the Texas Workforce Commission to train approximately 50 eligible students in high-demand healthcare fields. These included Vocational Nursing, Pharmacy Technician, and Medical Assistant programs.

“We are honored to be recognized for tackling workforce challenges with bold, innovative solutions,” said Pharr City Commissioner Ricardo Medina, who also serves on the Pharr EDC Board of Directors. “By tapping into the potential of our people and creating pathways to opportunity, we are building a workforce that is ready to grow with Pharr.”

Key goals of the project included expanding access to healthcare training, strengthening the talent pipeline for regional employers, and building long-term training capacity through upgraded infrastructure and instructor support.

“This award is a testament to the hard work of our Pharr EDC team and our shared commitment to creating real economic and workforce opportunities,” said Victor Perez, President/CEO of the Pharr EDC. “I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to our partners who believed in this project and worked with us to bring it to life,” added Perez. “We are proud to serve our community and continue building a stronger future for Pharr.”

The TEDC is the largest statewide association of economic development professionals in the country, with more than 1,050 members. Its Workforce Excellence Awards are considered one of the most significant recognitions of local workforce innovation and leadership in Texas.

To learn more about the Pharr Economic Development Corporation and its workforce initiatives, visit www.pharredc.com.

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