by media | Oct 13, 2020 | Featured News, Information, Media Releases
Pharr Celebrates Start of the 2020-2021 Produce Season
Traditional Cutting of the Fruit – Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., and special guests including Texas State Representative Sergio Muñoz, Jr., Chairman of the Pharr International Bridge Board Edgar Delgadillo, Vice-Chairman of the Pharr International Bridge Board Tony Martinez, and Pharr Bridge Director Luis Bazan participate in the ceremonial cutting of the fruit.
Pharr, Texas – City of Pharr officials and Pharr International Bridge leaders celebrated the start of the 2020-2021 Produce Season by welcoming guests to a showstopping array of brightly displayed fresh fruits and vegetables at the annual bi-national event held at the Pharr International Bridge. Guests included dignitaries and produce growers, importers, distributors, and consumers from the United States and Mexico.
“The Pharr International Bridge is the heart and soul of Pharr for economic development,” said Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “We are especially proud of the hard work of our bridge staff and board for the great success our port of entree continues to experience,” he continued. “We are thrilled to remain the #1 Produce Bridge in the United States, with over 65% of all produce from Mexico crossing through Pharr,” he added. “It takes a team and we have been working diligently with many partners to ensure that our bridge continues to have the infrastructure, resources, and funding to meet our future needs,” Hernandez expressed.
Mayor Hernandez and Pharr Bridge Director Luis Bazan both noted that Pharr is investing $40 million dollars at the port of entry for expansion and growth. Additionally, they discussed Pharr’s work with programs such as the STAC (South Texas Assets Consortium) Program, the DAP 16 (Donations Acceptance Program), the UTRGV agriculture lab and training center, and the current bridge expansion project which will add more lanes to improve the flow of traffic.
“This year we averaged 15,000-16,000 shipments of fresh produce per month at the Pharr International Bridge,” said Bazan. That is why we are the #1 produce bridge in the nation,” he continued. “This September we had our best month ever in our almost 26-year history, as we had over 120,000 crossings from the U.S. to Mexico both north and southbound,” he stated. “While we continue to face our challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic, we are doing everything we can to ensure that our crossings continue safely, expediently, and efficiently as we continue to adapt, but there is no stopping our success,” he added.
The U.S. has consistently remained Mexico’s No.1 trading partner for produce and goods and Pharr’s ideal geographical location has resulted in not only a great partnership between the two countries, but also in the growth of their produce trading capacity. The Pharr International Bridge will be celebrating its 26th anniversary in November.
The celebration concluded with the ceremonial cutting of the fruit.
by media | Sep 9, 2020 | Featured News, Information, Media Releases
Pharr to Host Groundbreaking Ceremony for Port Infrastructure Projects on Thursday, 9/10 at 10 am
Pharr, Texas – Pharr city officials and the Pharr International Bridge will host a Groundbreaking Ceremony for new Port Infrastructure Projects under the federal government Customs & Border Protection’s (CBP’s) Donations Acceptance Program (DAP). City officials are also expected to announce exciting updates on special transportation projects funded through the RGVMPO. The event will take place at 10 am on Thursday, September 10, 2020, at the Pharr International Bridge (9900 S. Cage Blvd).
“New changes and improvements are underway at the Pharr International Bridge and we are proud to celebrate the groundbreaking of these new projects,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez. M.D. “We will also be sharing new details about upcoming transportation projects and their impact on the City of Pharr and the Rio Grande Valley,” added Hernandez.
The port infrastructure projects will consist of additional Commercial Entry Lanes & Booths and two additional Commercial Exit Lanes & Booths which will help alleviate traffic and expedite crossings.
All media and the public are invited to attend.
DETAILS
WHAT: Groundbreaking Ceremony for Port Infrastructure Projects
WHEN: Thursday, September 10th at 10:00 am
WHERE: Pharr International Bridge (9900 S. Cage Blvd. in Pharr)
by media | Sep 8, 2020 | Featured News, Information, Media Releases
City of Pharr to Host Three Census 2020 PHARR-B-Q Round-Up Events
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr has worked diligently over the past few months towards increasing Census 2020 participation. As part of its continued efforts and outreach to encourage residents to fill out the census, the city will host a Census 2020 PHARR-B-Q Round-Up the next three Saturday’s in September.
PHARR-B-Q Round-Up Dates and Times
Saturday, September 12, 2020, from 9 am – 3 pm
9 am – 3 pm
Pharr Development and Research Center
850 W. Dicker Rd.
Pharr, TX 78577
Saturday, September 19, 2020, from 9 am – 3 pm
Pharr Events Center
3000 N. Cage Blvd
Pharr, TX 78577
Saturday, September 26, 2020, from 9 am – 3 pm
Pharr Development and Research Center
850 W. Dicker Rd.
Pharr, TX 78577
Pharr residents who attend one of the three events and fill our their 2020 Census will receive a free barbecue meal. The city has partnered with local barbecue restaurants to provide vouchers for the event. Event attendees will receive two free vouchers per household for a meal redeemable at either Bar-B-Cutie Smokehouse, Uncle Roy’s BBQ, or Rudy’s “Country Store and Bar-B-Q”. Proof of city residency is required, please bring an ID or utility bill.
With the Census 2020 deadline cut short to September 30, 2020, the City of Pharr is continuing its efforts to ensure that everyone in Pharr is counted.
“The 2020 Census is pivotal to the future of Pharr as we have seen tremendous growth over the last decade,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “Our census initiatives have really made a difference in our numbers and we are proud of our Census Field Operations teams who have continued to go door-to-door to ensure that everyone is counted,” he added. “The city has also held numerous outreach events, opened a census center, and partnered with our local school districts, parents, and businesses to get the word out to the community,” continued Hernandez.
The City of Pharr reached its census Self Response Rates (SSR) threshold on August 30, having completed 54.5% of questionnaires compared to 54.2% in 2010.
All media and the public are invited to attend.
For more information, visit or call our Census Headquarters at 114 W. Cherokee, 956-402-2020.
DETAILS
WHAT: Census 2020 PHARR-B-Q Round-Up
WHEN/WHERE:
Saturday, September 12, 2020, from 9 am – 3 pm
9 am – 3 pm
Pharr Development and Research Center
850 W. Dicker Rd.
Pharr, TX 78577
Saturday, September 19, 2020, from 9 am – 3 pm
Pharr Events Center
3000 N. Cage Blvd
Pharr, TX 78577
Saturday, September 26, 2020, from 9 am – 3 pm
Pharr Development and Research Center
850 W. Dicker Rd.
Pharr, TX 78577
by media | Sep 1, 2020 | Featured News, Information, Media Releases
City of Pharr Awarded $24,772.73 Federal Assistance Grant for Firefighters
Pharr, Texas – Pharr city officials were informed late last week by U.S. Senator John Cornyn that Pharr has been awarded $24,772.73 in funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The funding was appropriated by the CARES Act in order to enhance operations and safety, recruitment, and retention for fire departments in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
“This funding will help the City of Pharr ensure that our hardworking firefighters and fire department have the resources they need to continue to safely serve our residents throughout the pandemic,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “We are thankful for the support from our federal legislators and Senator John Cornyn,” he added.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program aims to strengthen the nation’s overall level of preparedness and ability to respond to fire and related hazards. Sen. Cornyn issued the following statement in his press release regarding the grant, “While our firefighters are doing everything they can to keep Texans safe during this outbreak, the federal government should make sure they have every resource they need,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I applaud area leaders for their work to obtain these grants, and I’ll continue to do everything I can to support firefighters in the Rio Grande Valley.”
Over $143,00 in grants were awarded to local entities in the Rio Grande Valley to support firefighters including, the Los Fresnos Volunteer Fire Department, City of McAllen, and the City of Peñitas.
by media | Aug 18, 2020 | Featured News, Information, Media Releases
Pharr City Report for 8/17/2020
City Approves Ordinance Allowing Outdoor Dining
Pharr City Commissioners approved an ordinance on first reading which will allow restaurants to use up to 50% of their parking lot for outdoor dining. The ordinance is temporary and will continue to be adjusted as needed. Through this ordinance, the City of Pharr hopes to provide additional opportunities for Pharr restaurants with limited capacity to serve patrons in outdoor spaces in efforts to stimulate the recovery of the restaurant business in the City. “This will give them an additional income stream to keep them afloat, while still abiding by CDC and local guidelines,” said City Manager Ed Wylie.
Commission Approves Date for Public Hearing Regarding the City’s Tax Rate
Pharr City Commissioners voted to hold a public hearing on the city’s proposed tax rate, as required by law, on September 8, 2020, at 4:00 p.m. The city wants residents to know that they are NOT raising property taxes in the City of Pharr. The city is proposing to keep the tax rate the same at 0.7176 per $100 valuation. Since the values of the properties went up, the city is now generating more income than they did last year at the same rate and must now hold a public hearing. “We want to let residents know that this is NOT a tax increase and that our tax rate in the City of Pharr will stay the same,” said City Manager Ed Wylie. He continued, “if your taxes go up, it is because of the value of your house.”
Pharr Votes to Seek Reimbursement from Hidalgo County for CARES Act Supplemental Funding
Pharr City Commissioners voted in favor of seeking reimbursement from Hidalgo County for CARES Act Supplement/Emergency Funding. The City of Pharr has exhausted the original award as outlined in the Cares Act Interlocal Agreement and still has outstanding expenses. As outlined in the original agreement, the city is seeking access to the original full award of $134 per person. Hidalgo county kept approximately $5 million additional dollars (the difference between $114 and $132 per person) in an emergency fund.
Commission Approves Purchase of Kiosks, Making Payments More Accessible to Citizens
Commissioners approved the purchase of two payment kiosks for the Municipal Court and Utility Billing from AdComp Systems Inc. utilizing CARES Act funding. With the city continuing to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic, these kiosks will provide a safe and contactless exchange for citizens, while limiting traffic and exposure. The kiosks will be integrated with the municipal court and water utility payments for cash, check or credit card payments as well as provide change on cash payments. One in-wall unit would be installed in the Utility Billing drive-through at City Hall and the other indoor unit would be installed in the Police department lobby.
Pharr Approves Interlocal Cooperative Agreement for Emergency Debris Removal, Monitoring, and Planning Services
Commissioners approved an Interlocal Cooperative Agreement between the Cities of Edinburg and Pharr to utilize Tetra Tech for Emergency Debris Removal Monitoring and Planning Services. “This company is already accepted by FEMA and will allow the City of Pharr to get reimbursed more timely,” said City Manager Ed Wylie.
by media | Aug 11, 2020 | Featured News, Information, Media Releases
City of Pharr Hosts Successful Drive-Thru First Responders Festival
Pharr first responders hand out school supplies outside the Pharr Events Center.
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr held its annually planned Pharr First Responders Festival this past weekend, making the switch from a traditional festival to a drive-thru event, given the COVID-19 pandemic. Although set up a little differently this year, the festival proved successful as the city joined its first responders in giving away 2,000 bags with school supplies to the community.
“It was wonderful to witness our city departments, first responders, and employees join together to help our community,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “These past few months have been tough for many and we continue to try and do all that we can to help ensure that our Pharr families remain supported, especially as the school year is about to begin ” he added.
The festival, which took place on Friday, August 7, 2020, was converted into two simultaneous drive-thru events (each giving away 1,000 school supply bags) with one held in North Pharr at the Pharr Events Center and the second in South Pharr at the Development and Research Center.
“We had a great turn out at both locations, and it was especially a highlight for me to see the smiles on the faces of the children and parents as they made their way through the festival,” said Pharr Chief of Police Andrew Harvey. “Our first responders and city employees did a fantastic job of working together to make this event a success and we are especially proud to be a part of this amazing community,” he continued.
Chief of Police Andrew Harvey assists in providing school supplies and information to Pharr families at the South Pharr location.
While children were not allowed to physically get a tour of first responder vehicles as in the past, vehicles such as police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances were parked at each location to allow children and families a closer look.
“This event is meant to showcase our first responders to the community, allowing us to highlight the services we provide,” said Danny, Ramirez, Communications Director for the City of Pharr. “Although a little different from last year, our festival this year allowed us to continue the tradition of informing Pharr families of our services while giving back at the same time,” added Ramirez.
Students who attended the festival also had the opportunity to be entered into a raffle for a laptop. The City of Pharr announced 20 lucky laptop winners via a live stream drawing on the city’s Facebook page on Monday, August 10, 2020.
The City of Pharr thanks the community for another successful event and wishes all students and families a safe and exciting new school year!
