Pharr Mayor and State Officials to be at COVID-19 Testing Site in Pharr TODAY AT 3:30 pm
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr will host a FREE public COVID-19 mobile testing site this weekend beginning TODAY, Friday, June 5, 2020, through Sunday, June 7, 2020, from 9 am to 5 pm daily (weather permitting) at the Pharr Events Center (3000 N. Cage) in Pharr. This testing is being done by the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Texas Military Department, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, and the Texas Emergency Medical Task Force and is part of efforts to ramp up testing statewide.
Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. will be available to address the media at a press conference TODAY at 3:30 pm at the testing site. Joining him will be state officials including Texas State Senators Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa and Eddie Lucio and State Representatives Sergio Munoz, Jr. and Armando “Mando” Martinez.
Anyone with symptoms such as fever and chills, cough (dry or productive), fatigue, body aches/muscle or joint pain, and others listed must register by visiting txcovidtest.org or calling 512.883.2400.
“We are grateful to our state partners for bringing this FREE COVID-19 testing to our community, and are proud of the partnerships that are providing this service to detect instances of the virus and help people get the care they need,” said Hernandez.
All media is invited to attend. Please confirm your outlet’s attendance by emailing [email protected] or texting 956.343.0011 with the name of the attendee and your organization.
DETAILS WHAT: Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. and Texas State Officials Press Availability WHEN: Friday, June 5, 2020, at 3:30 pm WHERE: Pharr Events Center (3000 N. Cage) in Pharr
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr will be providing self-serve sandbags to residents in anticipation of inclement weather expected and at the start of the 2020 hurricane season.
The sandbags will be distributed TODAY until 8 pm and tomorrow, June 3, 2020, between 1 pm and 8 pm. Residents must provide proof of Pharr residency, and must bag their own bags. There is a limit of six (6) sandbags per household and twelve (12) sandbags per business.
Sandbags will be distributed at three locations:
Development and Research Center (850 W. Dicker Rd.)
Pharr EDC Launches Pharr CARES Grant Program for Businesses
Pharr, Texas – In the wake of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, businesses across the country have been forced to adjust to a new reality. The pandemic created an unprecedented negative economic impact on businesses worldwide. As communities fell under shelter-at-home orders to mitigate the spread of the disease, some businesses managed to creatively continue operations, while others were not as fortunate. With Texas now re-opening its economy, businesses are faced with a new uncertainty – how to rebound after the crisis and begin thriving economically once again.
The Pharr Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is here to help businesses recover during this time of need. Earlier this month and coinciding with Economic Development Week, the members of the Pharr EDC board of directors approved the COVID-19 Emergency Business Grant Program. Appropriately named the “Pharr CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Support),” similar to the federal financial relief program, the Pharr EDC program will provide financial relief in the form of working capital – forgivable grants between $2,500 and $5,000 – for businesses who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.
“The Pharr EDC truly cares about helping businesses recover after suffering such sudden and immeasurable losses as a result of the coronavirus crises,” said Pharr EDC Executive Director Victor Perez. “We are hoping to provide some financial relief that can help businesses in need continue operating in our community,” he added.
Under Pharr CARES, eligible businesses can use the grant to supplement personnel costs, rent or commercial mortgage payments, utilities, and critical business equipment or supplies. Businesses must be located within the corporate limits of Pharr, and must be in compliance with all zoning, land use, and other ordinances. Applicants must be current on all property and sales taxes, and current on payroll tax requirements. There is a limit of one grant per funding opportunity per applicant. Other eligibility requirements apply, and can be found on the Pharr EDC website at www.pharredc.com/cares.
The application period for the Pharr CARES grant will remain open until June 30, 2020, until funding has been exhausted, or until the Pharr EDC determines that its program goals have been satisfied.
For more information, visit www.pharredc.com or contact 956-402-4332.
More than 12 miles of canals cleaned and dredged as preventative maintenance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MONDAY, MAY 26, 2020
Pharr, Texas – In anticipation of the 2020 Hurricane Season, which commences June 1, City of Pharr leaders are conducting major preventative maintenance on more than twelve miles of channels as part of the city’s drainage canal system. This type of maintenance is typically scheduled twice a year and includes cleaning of overgrown brush, clearing of debris and garbage from illegal dumping, and dredging the canals to allow for easier and more productive flow through the city’s drainage system. This scheduled maintenance, immediately prior to the start of the hurricane season, is critical to ensure that any and all stormwater can be efficiently moved through the system and out of the city.
The canal located at S. Las Palmas Rd., before and after maintenance.
“As we prepare for the beginning of the 2020 hurricane season, your Pharr city leaders are aware of the importance of proper care and maintenance of our drainage infrastructure,” said Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. He continued, “The City of Pharr continues to make great strides in upgrading and improving our city’s drainage system, and ensuring our canals are clear and free of brush and debris is a vital component of our hurricane preparedness,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D.
City leaders want to remind residents that it is illegal to dump debris and garbage in or around the canal entrances. Many times, illegal dumping and debris buildup can cause significant blockage, impede the flow of stormwater out of the city, and cause unnecessary flooding to the surrounding area.
Garbage and debris accumulated at the canal near W. Juan Balli and South Rivera Street on the left photo; the same canal after dredging is shown on the right.
“Our drainage system works as intended if we all do our part. The city maintains the drainage system’s canals, and we call on all residents to refrain from illegal dumping,” Hernandez continued.
“As we prepare for this year’s hurricane season, ensuring our canals are kept clean will help reduce flooding in our area,” he ended.
Pharr to Open COVID-19 Recovery Center this Wednesday, 5/20
Center to Assist Pharr Residents, Families, and Businesses with “Your Bridge to Recovery”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2020
Pharr, Texas – In an effort to provide recovery resources, support, and information to Pharr residents, businesses and families, the City of Pharr will open a COVID-19 Recovery Center – a resource center that will provide individualized and customized support on a variety of different issues that individuals, families, and businesses may be in need of assistance as our area grapples with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
The COVID-19 Recovery Center will open beginning this Wednesday, May 20, 2020, and will operate thereafter from 10 am to 7 pm, Monday through Friday, and from 9 am to 1 pm on Saturday, at the Pharr Events Center (3000 N. Cage) in Pharr.
“As the coronavirus began spreading across the country and in our area, many of our Pharr residents, families, and businesses were directly impacted in many ways, including loss of jobs, loss of income, loss of revenue, among others,” said Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “In assessing the various needs of our community, we felt it was important to be there for our constituents, reach out a helping hand, and cater our response and recovery assistance to address their individual needs,” he added.
The COVID-19 Recovery Center will provide resources for individuals and businesses and information regarding the following:
Individual assistance
City of Pharr Financial Assistance for Businesses
Information for State and Federal Funding
Work Safe Plan
Workforce Opportunities
Re-Open Texas Guidelines
Business Services to help connect with customers
Answers to business operations in Pharr
Access to No Cost Business Consulting
The services at the COVID-19 Recovery Center are available at no cost for Pharr residents or business owners only. Must provide proof of residence to receive assistance.
Once open, walk-ins will be accepted onsite at the center, however, interested attendees are encouraged to contact the COVID-19 Recovery Center at (956) 402-4311 to set up a complimentary appointment.
Pharr Fire Department and Emergency Management Assist with SPI Fire
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MONDAY, MAY 18, 2020
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr Fire Department and Emergency Management personnel answered the call of duty to assist with a massive fire that broke out early Saturday morning at the Gulf Point condominium building at South Padre Island. This has been one of the largest fires on the island and Pharr joined dozens of other firefighters from throughout the Rio Grande Valley in battling the fire.
“Immediately upon hearing about the fire and receiving a request for mutual aid, we assembled our Pharr Fire Department and Emergency Management teams and headed to South Padre Island to help,” said Ed Wylie, City of Pharr Emergency Management Coordinator and Interim City Manager. “We are one community in the Rio Grande Valley and we were happy to help to get the fire under control,” he continued. “They needed all hands on deck and we were proud to join in the efforts to put out the fire and save lives,” he added.
Pharr Fire Department and Emergency Management personnel help fire departments from throughout the RGV battle the fire at the Gulf Point condominium.
South Padre Island officials have confirmed that no injuries or missing persons were reported. Although a cause for the fire has not yet been identified and is still under investigation, it is believed that lightning struck the roof of the building early in the morning, sparking the fire, according to initial reports from the National Weather Service.
