by media | May 26, 2020 | Featured News, Information, Media Releases
Pharr Prepares for 2020 Hurricane Season
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.
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by media | May 19, 2020 | Featured News, Information, Media Releases
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.
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by media | May 19, 2020 | Featured News, Information, Media Releases
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.
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by media | May 5, 2020 | Featured News, Information, Media Releases
City of Pharr Partners with AdventGX & Texas A&M University Business Students to Provide Assistance to Local Businesses
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2020
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr and the Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce a new initiative to provide free support and guidance to local small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The city is partnering with AdventGX, an economic development firm based out of Bryan-College Station, Texas that is directing a team of Texas A&M University business students who are volunteering their time to support businesses impacted by the pandemic.
Specifically, AdventGX and the Texas A&M student leaders will provide small businesses in Pharr with technical assistance in the following areas:Preparing their applications for programs that are currently available through the Small Business Administration (such as the PPP Program) and other funding opportunities;Creating an information portal with resources;Providing guidance preparing basic financial reports (balance sheets, income statement, proforma); andRunning a Disaster Sustainability Model to support the decision-making process to plan financial inputs and outputs during the shutdown and post-disaster recovery with a 12 month and up to a 7-year horizon.”Teaming up with our educational partners in higher education to provide students with the opportunity to tackle and address real-world business scenarios during a pandemic, while at the same time providing much-needed support, advice, and relief to our local small businesses who have suffered tremendously during this crisis, will result in positive outcomes for all,” said Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “This is an amazing opportunity for our local small businesses as they work with AdventGX and the Texas A&M business students to create successful strategies for our local businesses to thrive,” Hernandez stated.
Since 2004, AdventGX has advised local governments, state departments, NGOs, and SMEs worldwide. Support ranges from addressing strategic questions to comprehensive assessment of economic development opportunities. AdventGX approached the Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce to offer their support and services to local businesses, hoping to help many get back to normal operations.
Pictured during a meeting with clients are (top l to r): Jose Quintana, AdventGX President, and Marie Marchand, AdventGX Director of the Innovation Underground and SEAD Programs.
*Photo Courtesy of AdventGX
“COVID-19 has hit our business community especially hard,” stated Jose Quintana, President of AdventGX. “My team and I are excited to partner with the City of Pharr as we work together to help local small businesses get back on their feet and plan for the future,” he continued. “We are especially proud to provide resources through our unique partnership with the Texas A&M Student Volunteer Response Team led by a group of MAYS School of Business honor students. As you may be aware, leadership and selfless service are at the core of our A&M student culture, our students are stepping up to help our Texas communities,” added Quintana.
Businesses all over the world are dealing with the implications and aftermath caused by COVID-19. Small businesses have been hit especially hard in communities all over the nation, and are now faced with developing new safer business operation guidelines while enforcing social distancing measures and limited customer interaction.
“Our businesses have struggled tremendously during this time, and it’s our responsibility to facilitate resources that will help guide them,” said Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Rebecca Arizmendi. “While this opportunity not only allows us to help our businesses get back in operation, it also provides Texas A&M students with the experience to develop solutions that will enhance economic opportunities for our businesses for years to come,” Arizmendi added.
The City of Pharr and the Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce are proud to partner with AdventGX and Texas A&M students to give back and help support local businesses that have been impacted during this crisis, providing as many resources as possible to ensure that they can get back on the road to recovery and continue to thrive.
“We look forward to this great opportunity as we partner with AdventGX and their Texas A&M Student Volunteer Team to ensure that our local small business owners and their businesses are prepared to reopen and thrive in the post-COVID-19 economy,” said Hernandez.
For more information on this partnership and available resources, businesses can call 956-483-5090 or email karina.lopez@pharr-tx.gov. Businesses can learn more about this opportunity at https://iu.adventgx.com/covid-19-city-of-pharr-small-business-info-central/.
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by media | Apr 28, 2020 | Information, Media Releases
Pharr Launches Census Headquarters, Announces New Census Initiatives
(Pictured l-r) Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., Pharr City Commissioner Daniel Chavez, Hidalgo County Precinct 2 Commissioner Eddie Cantu, Texas State Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Pharr City Commissioner Itza Flores, and Pharr City Commissioner Ricardo Medina attend a press conference to announce Census Initiatives.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2020
Pharr, Texas – At a virtual press conference held Tuesday, Pharr City leaders and local school district leaders announced the launch of the 2020 Census Complete Count Initiative which includes the opening of Pharr’s new Community Census Headquarters and a new partnership with school districts. The City of Pharr continues its efforts to collaborate with local school districts to ensure that all families in the community are counted in the 2020 Census, especially now as the city and schools, like others around the nation, are facing the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
City leaders announced via the virtual press conference that the city has created a Census Headquarters, located at 114 W. Cherokee, Pharr, Texas 78577, to ramp up Census efforts amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Maintaining all social distancing guidelines issued by the CDC, Pharr Census Team Members will work out of the building to phone bank, conduct online assistance, and continue outreach efforts to encourage Pharr families to complete their 2020 Census questionnaire.
“We are proud to continue our Census initiatives and keep our Census workers employed as we take new approaches to educate our community and remind them to complete the Census,” stated Mayor Hernandez. “An accurate Census count is important to ensuring we have fair representation in Congress and at the state level, and that we are distributed federal funds to our communities’ vital programs over the next decade – impacting housing, education, transportation, employment, health care, public policy, and more,” said Hernandez. “It is especially important for our local communities in times like this, such as the coronavirus pandemic we are all currently living, where resources, grants, and other federal funding and programs are vital to ensure that our families, economies, educational institutions, and governments continue to thrive,” he added.
Pharr also announced new Census initiatives in collaboration with all five local school districts. The city has been proactive in providing outreach, educational workshops, and marketing materials in partnerships with all local school districts over the last year in preparation for the launch of the Census on April 1, 2020.
Mayor Hernandez and city leaders have partnered with local school districts including PSJA ISD, Hidalgo ISD, Valley View ISD, and Vanguard Academy Charter School to stress the important role that parents and families play in being counted in the Census and participating in the process.
Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., speaks at a press conference to announce the opening of Pharr’s Census Community Headquarters and the launch of Census initiatives, including partnerships with local school districts.
As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread across Texas, Governor Abbott announced late last week that public and private school classrooms will remain closed for the remainder of the school year to avoid quickening the spread of COVID-19. As such, the City of Pharr has made adjustments to critical Census 2020 outreach efforts.
“Since our circumstances have changed, we want to be mindful of the health of our families, while also taking advantage of this time that our students and their families are sheltering at home to ensure that they complete the Census questionnaire either online, mail, or by phone,” Hernandez said.
The City of Pharr has created a Census Flyer to outline how families can fill out the Census questionnaire at home and in addition, they have collaborated with local school leaders to provide a Social Studies credit for students who submit a screenshot or photo of their families submitted questionnaire to their teacher.
“In a truly collaborative effort, the City of Pharr has gone above and beyond to partner up with school districts with this innovative initiative to tie the social studies curriculum to our residents’ civic duty of participating in the census,” added Rolando Ramirez, Superintendent of Valley View ISD. “In this time of uncertainty, such measures strengthen the city’s partnership with the community and assists in ensuring that much-needed funds are allocated to the Rio Grande Valley,” he said.
All school district leaders have been working alongside the city to ensure a complete Census count.
“I want to thank Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, the City of Pharr, and local leaders for partnering with us on this Census initiative,” said Xavier Salinas, Hidalgo ISD Superintendent. “We have worked very closely with the City of Pharr, which we feel is leading the pack in Census numbers,” added Salinas. “Mayor Hernandez helped train a lot of our community parent leaders and it’s evident with the numbers we have seen in our area,” Salinas continued. “One of our certified parent leaders even held a Zoom Meeting this week to train parents on how to fill out their Census, and we credit his vision and proactive approach of the City of Pharr,” he said. “Together, we are moving forward in the right direction!”
“IDEA Public Schools is proud to partner with the City of Pharr to support 100 percent participation in the 2020 census,” said JoAnn Gama, CEO & Superintendent, IDEA Public Schools. “We are passing out flyers with meal bundles, hosting Census 101 webinars, sharing information on-campus social media accounts, and training our school counselors to help answer questions families might have about the census,” she added. “The census is crucial to our democracy, and we’re committed to doing our part to ensure everyone counts.”
PSJA ISD will be hosting PSJA Census Week from April 27-May 1 to encourage the entire PSJA family to complete their Census. Throughout this week, activities will also be incorporated into the district’s distance learning modules to educate students about the significance of this task.
“PSJA ISD continues to create awareness of the importance of our families completing the Census,” PSJA Superintendent Dr. Jorge L. Arredondo said. “It is imperative that we continue to work together as a region to ensure every single one of our residents is counted, so we can secure adequate representation and funding for our area.”
School districts will also be assisting the City of Pharr in Census Completion Efforts by providing parents with information on how they can complete the census by distributing a Census Flyer on how to complete the Census questionnaire through social media, emails, texts, and by also attaching the flyer to coursework or meals picked up by students or families.
“An accurate count in the 2020 Census will help determine future funding for special education, teacher training, technology, school lunch assistance, Head Start, after-school programs, and more,” Hernandez said. “We encourage all our Pharr families and those throughout the region to take this opportunity while at home to fill out the Census online, by mail, or via phone as outlined in the flyer,” Hernandez continued. “Our Pharr media team has also produced two Public Service Announcement videos in English and Spanish to guide and explain to families how to successfully fill out the census questionnaire.
English PSA video: https://youtu.be/B8HF2DyzudQ
Spanish PSA video: https://youtu.be/KS8II3kU_zs
City leaders acknowledge that there has been tremendous growth in Pharr over the last decade and are continuing to work with all partners, businesses, community leaders, organizations, and schools to ensure everyone completes the Census and helps “Make Pharr’s Future.”
Families can access and fill out the Census questionnaire online at www.2020census.gov.
by media | Apr 23, 2020 | Information, Media Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2020
Pharr, Texas – Amid the rapidly-evolving situation regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19), the City of Pharr and Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D., will be providing regular updates to keep the media and the public informed as information develops. City officials urge media outlets to please share with their respective reading, viewing and listening audiences.
City Commission Approves Order Continuing Emergency Declaration
At its regular meeting of the Pharr City Commission held on Monday, April 20, 2020, members of the Pharr City Commission approved an order continuing the declaration of disaster and public health emergency for the City of Pharr.
View the order >>
On March 13, 2020, Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. declared a local state of disaster pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 418.108(a) due to COVID-19 and subsequently renewed the declaration on March 16, 2020, for 45 days. According to the Order approved on Monday, the City of Pharr declares it in the best interests of the health, safety, and welfare of the public to adopt this extension. The state of disaster and public health emergency will continue to be extended until terminated by the Pharr Board of Commissioners.
Update on Plans to Safely Reopen Pharr’s Economy
At the same City Commission meeting, Mayor Hernandez announced to the public that the City of Pharr is exploring plans to safely re-open the economy of Pharr, based on guidance and recommendations provided by Texas Governor Greg Abbott and following guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control. The city will be identifying and obtaining feedback and input from businesses in a variety of industries, to see how they plan to safely open up their businesses in accordance with the health and safety guidelines provided by local, county, state, and federal authorities and to ensure the health and safety of all residents, especially those most vulnerable and at risk of contracting COVID-19. Physical distancing measures, work-safe measures, and sanitary measures are among the guidelines that must be adhered to in order to ensure the safety and welfare of all patrons.
Hernandez stated, “We will be working with our business community because we want to know how you plan to safely open up your business, following the COVID-19 and CDC guidelines.”
Hernandez continued, “Together, we will also determine consequences for those businesses that are not in compliance with the safety guidelines, which will be enforced by the city.”
Without giving a specific timeline, Hernandez wanted to assure the community that plans are in the works to safely and responsibly re-open Pharr’s economy, soon. “We’re being proactive, we’re going to do what’s right, and we are going to move forward in a smart and responsible manner,” he added.
Download the Work Safe Plan in English and Spanish.
