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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pharr Launches Business Impact Survey to Measure Impact of COVID-19 on Local Economy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2020
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr in collaboration with the Pharr EDC and the Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce announced that they have launched a Business Impact Survey to measure the impact of COVID-19 on local businesses and the community.
“Our local businesses are the lifeline of our economy, and we rely on our local business community to provide us with goods, services, entertainment, and products that fulfill our needs, feed our families, and enhance our livelihood,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “Many of our local businesses are suffering right now due to COVID-19 and although many have adapted to implement the current orders and social distancing initiatives, there are still many who have had to completely shut down their operations or switch to online or other delivery methods,” Hernandez continued. “Through this survey, we hope to gauge the needs of our community so that we can work together to assess the impact, prepare for recovery, and plan for the future,” he added.
The online survey has been sent to local businesses to ensure that the city has an accurate reflection of how businesses are coping, how hard they have been impacted if they have the means to recover and continue operations and to measure others issues that have come up as a result of adjusting business operations.
“Pharr has been proactive since the start of COVID-19, and we have been working closely with our local, state, and federal legislators on all levels, including keeping our local businesses informed of any economic assistance that may be available,” stated Victor Perez, Pharr EDC Executive Director. “This is an especially tough situation for many businesses as they have had to change their normal operations, while also tending to the personal and financial impact caused to their employees and business,” he added. “As we continue to gather information from our local business leaders, we will be analyzing information and data collected to help guide future policy decisions and relief efforts,” said Perez. City officials are doing all they can to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the community and urge Pharr residents and businesses to heed the guidance of federal, state, and local authorities to continue practice social distancing as we all work to stop the spread of the coronavirus.”Pharr is a resilient community and we want our residents and businesses to know that we are all in this together, and we will get through this together,” added Mayor Hernandez. “We will continue to fight this invisible enemy, while also continuing to fight for more resources, funding, and assistance to ensure that our community remains safe and that our local businesses and economy will continue to thrive,” he said.
The City of Pharr will use data collected from the survey to analyze the impacts on the local economy and to continue advocating for more assistance to help local businesses get back to business.
Pharr Approves New Emergency Order, Implements Work Safe Plan; Pharr Set to Receive Federal Funding to Fight COVID-19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2020
Pharr, Texas – As the City of Pharr and the entire South Texas region continues to be increasingly impacted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), city officials will continue to provide updates to keep our residents and the public informed as information develops.
Pharr Approves New Emergency Order, Implements Work Safe Plan
On Thursday, April 2, 2020, Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. issued an updated Order to align with the new guidelines and emergency orders issued by President Donald J. Trump, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez, which defined the continuity of essential services and activities during the COVID-19 disaster and aimed to limit the spread of the disease.
Pharr’s Order No. 2020-01 defines further measures to be implemented to reduce the substantial risk of harm to the public and requires that all essential businesses and organizations defined as critical to the nation’s infrastructure submit a Work Safe Plan, which outlines plans for implementing and enforcing distancing, sanitation, and hygiene practices, to the City of Pharr.
This Order is effective as of 11:59 pm on Friday, April 3, 2020, and shall remain in effect until the state of disaster is terminated or the Order is otherwise terminated by the City Commission.
“Since we now have cases involving Pharr residents, it is imperative that we all continue doing what we can to prevent the spread of the disease, which is extremely contagious,” said Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “It is our individual responsibility to care for our community and keep it as safe and healthy as possible,” he continued.
The Order further mandates that all individuals who are ill, especially those with symptoms consistent with influenza or COVID-19, shall isolate themselves at home until they recover. An entire household is ordered to self-quarantine at home for a period of no less than two weeks if anyone in a household tests positive for COVID-19 or anyone in the household has had contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19. The Order further states that people who are known to have or are under investigation or monitoring for COVID-19 must abide by the Control Orders and direction provided to them by authorities, including state and local public health officials.
Pharr Set to Receive Federal Funding to Fight COVID-19
Pharr, Texas – City of Pharr leaders were pleased to learn from U. S. Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) that $10,383,884 in funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) was approved for District 15 for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) for the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. Pharr’s award is approximately $665,558 in CDBG funding, which can be used for areas of infrastructure, economic development, and medical supplies and equipment, among other eligible activities.
“As we continue to navigate the current situation and plan for the future, we are extremely proud that our federal partners are listening to the needs of our community and fighting to support our efforts to help our response to COVID-19,” said Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “The City of Pharr applauds the actions taken by Congress and especially the efforts and dedication of Congressman Gonzalez as he continues to work with local leaders to ensure the safety and well-being of our citizens, businesses, and communities,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. he added.
The highly anticipated news comes just a few days after Congress passed legislative relief for Americans due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I will continue to keep the pressure on to ensure that our district receives the funds it needs during this time of crisis,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “This funding is a vital step for cities and counties to prepare for and mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to work around-the-clock for the frontline medical professionals, hospitals, and our community.”
From the onset of this pandemic, the City of Pharr has taken proactive measures to prepare the community. From the implementation of the Emergency Disaster Declaration to working with Homeland Security partners to secure our southern border at the Pharr International Bridge by pre-screening to prevent any high-risk individuals from entering our city or placing them in self-quarantine, city officials have worked closely with federal, state, county, and municipal leaders to mitigate the spread and minimize the impact of COVID-19 in our community.
“We are fortunate to have great partnerships and communication with our leaders at the regional, state, and federal level as we all work together to fight this invisible enemy,” Hernandez continued. “This much-needed funding will help us battle the pandemic and support our community, our healthcare system, and our economy as we continue to face growing numbers every day,” he said. “I am proud of the leadership of Congressman Gonzalez, Senator Cornyn, and Senator Cruz who have worked diligently over the years to ensure that the City of Pharr and our citizens have the resources, funding, and assistance to continue thriving,” he added.
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr learned from Hidalgo County officials that the first case of the coronavirus (COVID-19) affecting a resident of Pharr was confirmed today. The County informed Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. that investigators with the Hidalgo County Health and Human Services Department are actively involved in interviewing the patient to determine who they may have had contact with. Individuals who have had direct contact with the patient will be contacted by health officials, the County said, and no further information is available at this time.
From the onset of this pandemic, the City of Pharr has taken proactive measures to prepare our community for the inevitable onset. From the implementation of the Emergency Disaster Declaration to working with Homeland Security partners to secure our southern border at the Pharr International Bridge by pre-screening to prevent any high-risk individuals from entering our city or placing them in self-quarantine, city officials have worked closely with federal, state, county, and municipal leaders to mitigate the spread and minimize the impact of COVID-19 in our community.
Mayor Hernandez meets with Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez and local area mayors to address the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis on March 17, 2020.
Upon learning of the positive cases, Dr. Hernandez stated the following, once again urging all residents to take proactive measures to protect themselves from exposure and slow the spread of the virus:
Today we fight an invisible enemy that has taken our world without notice and it does not discriminate. Frankly, we are all at risk. We have worked aggressively to protect our citizens and our families from this unseen enemy.
Now, we have learned that one of our own has been affected by this enemy and has tested positive for COVID-19. Our thoughts are with him and his family, and we pray for his health and recovery. We continue to urge all residents to stay at home and avoid interacting with others outside of the home as much as possible. This disease is silent, undetectable for days or weeks, and it can be very deadly. Our health care systems can very easily be overwhelmed, as we are seeing across the country and the world.
I implore our county and local leaders to follow the recommended guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control, which we are all doing, but we must do more. As a border community, we need to be more stringent with our suggested restrictions and requirements. Many people enter our area through bridges, airports, and buses, from destinations of unknown origin, who may have been exposed to COVID-19.
The CDC has recommended that anyone who has been to areas affected by COVID-19 or has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 should expect to face limitations on movement and activity. I have urged our county officials and border leaders that we must do everything we can to mitigate the uncontrolled entry of potential COVID-19 carriers, and we must act now – by screening extensively and mandating self-quarantine for those who may pose a potential risk to our community. Today, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that all people flying to Texas from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and the city of New Orleans will be subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine.
The fact is that community spread of this disease is rapidly accelerating. Since every part of this country has now been affected by COVID-19, and there is no way to tell who has been exposed to COVID-19 or is carrying the virus, I urge everyone to stay at home, clean and wash hands frequently, and monitor their symptoms and temperature for any possible signs. We must all do everything we can to slow the spread of this disease.
This is a critical moment in our lives. As the days pass, and more testing becomes available, there will likely be more positive cases confirmed. Rest assured that we will continue to fight this enemy and will do all that is necessary to protect you, your families, and our way of life, understanding the health care impact and needs as a physician, and by using all available resources, powers, and information available to me as your mayor.
We are all in this together, and we will get through this together.
Stay home, stay safe, stay healthy, and God bless!
