Pharr EDC Announces New Small Business Grant; Will Offer Workshops on Wed., 3/29 @ 9 am and 1 pm
Pharr, Texas – The Pharr Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is proud to announce the launch of its new Small Business Grant. The Pharr EDC II Small Business Grant program offers small and emerging for-profit businesses grant assistance to establish or expand into the City of Pharr to support long-term success.
The Pharr EDC will be hosting Workshops in English and Spanish on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at Pharr One (1121 E. Nolana Loop, Pharr, TX), to inform local businesses about the grant opportunities. The English Workshop will take place from 9 am – 12 pm and the Spanish Workshop will take place from 1 pm – 4 pm.
“The program is designed to promote entrepreneurship and innovation, job creation or retention, encourage replacement or rehabilitation of the façade of their storefronts, and encourage small business investment for the economic vitality of the community,” said Pharr EDC President/CEO, Victor Perez. “We are excited to provide this grant funding to Pharr businesses and we encourage anyone interested in applying to join us at one of our workshops to learn more,” he added.
The Pharr Economic Development Corporation II will consider a reimbursement grant of up to five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) per new business and up to ten thousand ($10,000.00) per existing business. The grantee is responsible for all other expenses accrued through development, improvements, and or repairs that exceed the grant amount.
Qualifiable Projects to be funded by the Small Business Grant program include, but will not be limited to:
Working Capital
Equipment Purchase
Signage
City of Pharr Permit Fees
Landscaping
Small Repairs
Pharr Chamber Membership (GPCC)
Storefront Improvements – include, but are not limited to window dressing, streetscape, benches, planters, pavers, plaques, banners, lighting, painting, and roof repairs.
Eligibility Requirements
Business must be new or existing and physically located in the corporate city limits of Pharr.
Business must be a private, for-profit entity.
Business must employ between five (5) and fifty (50) employees, including the owner.
Business has less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) in projected gross revenues.
Applications for the PEDC SMALL BUSINESS GRANT will be accepted, dependent on funding availability. Applicants who apply in times when inadequate funds exist for grants, will be informed of the lack of funds. Applications will be reviewed and funded (if eligible) on a case-by-case basis. Approval or denial may be made at the discretion of the President/CEO.
Funding for all approved projects will be dispersed once projects are one hundred percent (100%) complete. Receipts for all purchases and services must be provided for funds to be distributed. The reimbursement check will be processed and can take up to fifteen (15) business days for delivery after the submittal of all required documentation.
All media and the public are invited to attend.
DETAILS
WHAT: Pharr EDC to Host Small Business Funding & Resource Workshop
WHEN: Wednesday, March 29, 2023 | English 9 am – 12 pm | Spanish 1 pm – 4 pm
WHERE: Pharr One (1121 E. Nolana Loop, Pharr, TX 78577)
The Board of Commissioners of the City of Pharr met for a regular meeting on Monday, March 20, 2023, and considered an agenda that included the following highlights:
City Proclaims March 2023 as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., and the Pharr City Commission approved a proclamation declaring March 2023 as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States among men and women combined. It is one of the few cancers that can be prevented with timely screening, but one in three eligible Americans is not up-to-date on screening. Mayor Hernandez and the Pharr City Commission stressed the importance of early detection and screening of colorectal cancer. Representatives from Doctors Hospital at Renaissance accepted the proclamation during the city meeting and reminded citizens about the importance of early detection through annual screenings.
City Announces March Sales Tax Report
City Manager Anali Alanis announced that the sales tax activity for the city of Pharr as of the month of March 2023 continues to show a positive upward trend, demonstrating a steady increase in sales activity. The report for the City of Pharr shows an increase of 3.94% year-to-date true growth compared to last year (2022) and 7.68% growth compared to last March 2022 Payments.
Join us for our Block Party!
Come out and learn more about the different departments at the City of Pharr and how each of them can help you solve issues.
The event is FREE!
Cody the Raccoon will be there, hope you will too!
See flyer below for more details.
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Acompañanos a otro evento de beneficio para la ciudad
Nuestros líderes estarán explicando cómo funciona cada uno de los departamentos de la ciudad y tú estás cordialmente invitado.
Si tienes dudas o preguntas ese será un buen momento para hacerlas!
Featured Event: Easter Egg Stravaganza – Saturday, April 1, 2023; Registration starts at 9:30 am
The 2022-2023 Pharr EDC Foundation Scholarship is Now Open and Accepting Applications
Pharr, Texas – The Pharr EDC Foundation, in partnership with the Pharr Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the City of Pharr, is proud to announce that scholarship applications are now open and available for 2022-2023 graduating Pharr students.
Applications are available online only at http://bit.ly/[3ycSXdK] (English) and http://bit.ly/[3kErkYd] (Spanish) starting TODAY, Monday through Friday between 8 am – 5 pm. The deadline to submit an application is Friday, March 31, 2023, by 5 pm.
“The Pharr EDC Foundation is proud to open the 2022-2023 Scholarship to our community for this academic year,” said Victor Perez, President of the Pharr EDC Foundation and Executive Director of the Pharr EDC. “Our scholarships have been a great financial help to students and we are proud to be part of their journey of achieving a higher education,” he added. “Our goal is to ensure that no student has to put their education on hold as they confront financial challenges or hardships,” Perez continued.
The Scholarship Fund of the Pharr EDC Foundation was created for students of the City of Pharr who are enrolling in a qualifying post-secondary institution. In order to apply for the Pharr EDC Foundation Scholarship, a candidate must meet the following requirements:
Reside in the City of Pharr
Be a current high school student graduating during the 2022-2023 academic school year
Have maintained a grade point average of at least 2.5
Submit the completed application, essay/personal statement, and required documents no later than March 31, 2023 by 5:00 p.m.
An Advisory Committee composed of Foundation Board Members will review the applications and recommend recipients to the full Foundation Board of Directors. The Pharr EDC Foundation shall notify the chosen scholarship recipient(s) of its decision. All scholarship checks will be processed in a timely manner. Scholarship awards can be used for tuition, room & board, books, or other supplies.
The Pharr EDC Foundation is committed to helping students achieve their educational and career dreams by helping them pay for college at all levels, whether it is for a trade or technical degree or a four-year university.
For more information about the application or should you have any questions, please contact Lilvette Santos, Pharr EDC Foundation Director, at (956) 638-8070 or via email at [email protected].
The Board of Commissioners of the City of Pharr met for a regular meeting on Monday, March 6, 2023, and considered an agenda that included the following highlights:
City Declares March 6, 2023, as “Laura Nassri Warren Day”
Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., and the Pharr City Commission approved a proclamation declaring March 6, 2023 as “Laura Nassri Warren Day” in the City of Pharr. The commission recognized her for her outstanding work as an architect and as a role model for other women in architecture, as well as for her dedication to the growth of Pharr through her work. Laura Warren first became a licensed architect in Mexico and South America in 1992, then in the United States in 2003. In 2004, she founded The Warren Group Architects, Inc., a binationally certified firm providing design and project management services throughout Texas, Mexico, and South America. She was appointed by Governor Abbot as a Commission Member for the Finance Commission of Texas and the Texas Financial Education Endowment Board, and also serves as a Board Member for the City of Pharr’s Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce and has served as former president of the International Women’s Board of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and the first woman president of the McAllen South Rotary. Laura Warren was recently named Architect of the Year and awarded Project of the Year by the Texas Society of Professional Engineers and National Society of Professional Engineers, and the American Society of Civil Engineers for her work on the City of Pharr’s state-of-the-art Natatorium. Congratulations, Laura!
Featured Event: The HUB Market Days Honoring Women’s International Day – Saturday, March 11, 2023, from 6 pm to 10 pm
Featured Event: 17th Annual St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run Walk – Saturday, March 18, 2023, at 9 am
Get ready for the BIGGEST 5K in the RGV! The 17th Annual St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run/walk presented by the City of Pharr Parks & Recreation is happening March 18th! Register today! https://runsignup.com/[Race][Register][]?raceId=125094
For more information please call The Pharr Parks & Recreation Department at(956) 402-4550.
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Prepárate para la gran carrera 5K!
La carrera anual del día de San Patricio presentada por Pharr, se llevará a cabo este próximo 18 de marzo
Pharr International Bridge to Host Historic Binational Forum & Groundbreaking Ceremony on Tues., 3/7 @ 11 am
Pharr, Texas – The Pharr International Bridge in collaboration with its federal working partners in Mexico will host a historic Binational Forum and Groundbreaking Ceremony to kick off the highly anticipated Bridge Expansion, or Twin Bridge. Mexico is gearing up for the construction of their side of the bridge after investing $90 million to modernize the Mexican Port of Entry in 2018 to expedite commercial truck crossings and cross-border trade. Prioritizing the Pharr International Bridge Expansion project to strategically position the Texas-Mexico border region for future growth will give both countries the competitive advantage to trade on the global stage.
The event will take place at 11 am on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at the Pharr International Bridge (9900 S. Cage Blvd.) in Pharr.
“The City of Pharr and the Pharr International Bridge have collaborated strategically with our binational partners to enhance our port of entry and invested significantly to modernize our bridge infrastructure,” said Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “We are proud to host this Binational Forum and Groundbreaking Ceremony as we plan for the future and forge strong partnerships to continue to make the Pharr International Bridge among the best in the nation,” added Hernandez.
Pharr city officials, as well as special guests, Mexican dignitaries, other notable representatives, and stakeholders from diverse industries on both sides of the border, are expected to attend.
The Pharr International Bridge ranks 2nd in the customs district, 3rd in the state, and 7th in the nation for border crossings by value of imports and exports. It is ranked 29th in the nation for all gateways, which includes over 450 airports, seaports, and land ports. In 2022, trade through this fast-growing bridge in Pharr, Texas was valued at $46.44 billion. Exports totaled $18.74 billion while imports were valued at $27.7 billion.
All media and the public are invited to attend.
DETAILS
WHAT: Pharr International Bridge to Host Binational Forum & Groundbreaking Ceremony
WHEN: Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 11:00 am
WHERE: Pharr International Bridge (9900 S. Cage Blvd, Pharr, TX 78577)
will be there, hope you will too!
The 17th Annual St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run/walk presented by the City of Pharr Parks & Recreation is happening March 18th! 
Register today! 
