Pharr, Texas – Pharr city officials welcomed a delegation of leaders from throughout the nation and Mexico today as hosts of the multi-agency United States – Mexico Binational Bridges and Border Crossings Group (BBXG) East Regional Meeting which took place at the Pharr Events Center.
“The City of Pharr is very proud to have this meeting here in our great city,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. as he welcomed the delegation of leaders. “We represent one of many ports of entry across the Rio Grande Valley and the nation, from San Diego, California, down to South Padre Island, Texas,” he continued. “Our collective economies on both sides of the border rely on this important trade and commerce and today we are here to discuss how we can further streamline and improve our processes moving forward as we prepare to transition from NAFTA to USMCA,” he added. “Our borders serve as a bridge to humanity and unity, and as such, I am proud of the great work we are all doing on the U.S. and Mexican sides of the border to ensure that our economies and international trade continue to thrive,” said Hernandez.
Joining Mayor Hernandez in presenting Opening Remarks were Froylan Yescas Cedillo, Consul of Mexico to McAllen, Maki Esther Ortiz Domínguez, Mayor of Reynosa, Mario Chacon, Director General for North America, SRE, and Rebecca Daley, Border Affairs Coordinator, U.S. Department of State.
“I am proud to be part of these discussions among leaders of our binational bridges and border crossings,” said Dra. Maki Esther Ortiz Domínguez, Mayor of Reynosa. “We value these types of meetings and discussions as they help to strengthen business, trade, commerce, and relationships on both sides of the border,” she added. “These types of initiatives generate peace, provide economic development opportunities, education, and move our economies, businesses, and relationships forward, allowing us to prosper,” said Ortiz Dominguez. “The relationships we have cultivated amongst our borders are a model to the rest of the world of how to successfully coordinate, collaborate, and plan for our future together,” she stated.
“It’s amazing to see this type of relationship among two nations, we are more than neighbors, we are family and the truth is that something beautiful exists between our two countries, and that is our culture,” said Terry Canales, House Transportation Chairman, and Texas State Representative. “The economic impact with Mexico and what it does for the United States and Texas is immeasurable and we will continue to advocate for more resources, funding, and infrastructure to keep our bridges and border crossings thriving,” he said.
“Our U.S. – Mexico relationship is symbiotic and with the new USMCA agreement, we expect many new changes which will result in new economic opportunities, needed infrastructure upgrades, and continued collaboration amongst our countries and borders as we make the transition,” stated Froylan Yescas Cedillo, Consul of Mexico to McAllen. “Our economies rely on our trade, which is estimated at about $1 million a minute and we have a unique cooperative relationship which allows us to work together and prosper in unity,” he continued.
“Rather than divide us the border is what unites us and our combined efforts to improve our border infrastructure will ensure the flow of goods, services, and lawful travelers is efficient and to the benefit of both countries,” said Rebecca Daley, Border Affairs Coordinator with the U.S. Department of State. “Our trade relationship with Mexico continues to grow and in fact in 2019, Mexico became the largest goods trading partner for the United States with most crossing the border in trucks and trains,” added Daley. “Today, I look forward to discussing additional ways to streamline the flow of trade in the border region and to discussing ways our countries can work together to develop regular bidirectional cargo inspection facilities at various ports of entry,” she said.
“Our two countries stand to benefit greatly from USMCA,” emphasized Mario Chacon, Director General for North America, SRE. “Working together, we are able to pool our resources to expand our economic and trading opportunities,” he stated. “I look forward to our discussions today as we seek to improve the vitality of our international bridges and borders and thank all our colleagues here today who make up this amazing binational group focused on improving our future,” he added.
“It’s an honor to represent the City of Pharr and work hand-in-hand with the commission to make sure that we work in partnership to bring big projects that impact our international bridges and our borders to reality,” said Sergio Muñoz, Jr., House Appropriations Member, and Texas State Representative. “At the state level, I am proud to champion and advocate the importance of Pharr and the role it plays in our state and national economy,” he continued. “Our economy relies on the success of international trade at the borders which result in the exchange and flow of goods, commerce, jobs, produce, and products which impact our daily lives,” added Muñoz. “I look forward to today’s discussion and working with all our partners here to ensure a more prosperous and secure border as we transition to USMCA.”
“The Pharr International Bridge is proud to be a part of this amazing binational effort of our bridges and border crossings as we continue to make big investments and improvements to infrastructure in our region,” said Luis Bazan, Pharr International Bridge Director. “We have fostered innovative and collaborative partnerships with all our border partners on both sides of the border and by working together as one collective group, we have the ability to advocate for more resources, funding, and improvements to both our governments which will result in streamlining efforts,” he added.
The group, made up of leaders from the United States Department of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, the Consulate of Mexico in McAllen, and officials from ten U.S. and Mexican border states meets three times a year to further joint initiatives that improve the efficiency of existing crossings and coordinate planning for new ones. Public presentations also included updates and discussions with over ten bridge personnel and directors from both sides of the border.
Pharr, Texas – Pharr city leaders are proud to announce that they will be hosting the multi-agency United States – Mexico Binational Bridges and Border Crossings Group (BBXG) East Regional Meeting in Pharr. The group, made up of leaders from the United States Department of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, and officials from ten U.S. and Mexican border states meets three times a year to further joint initiatives that improve the efficiency of existing crossings and coordinate planning for new ones.
The meeting will take place starting at 8 am on Thursday, March 12, 2020, at the Pharr Events Center (3000 N. Cage Blvd, Pharr, TX 78577) with Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. welcoming leaders, members of the organization, and dignitaries to the event.
“Cross-border trade is at the heart of our thriving city and makes up the vibrant economy you see here in the Rio Grande Valley and across the border in our sister country of Mexico,” said Mayor Hernandez. “We are thrilled to have finally witnessed the passing of USMCA by Congress and President Trump’s swift signing of this vital legislation into law, so that we may all begin to plan for and begin to assume the new changes that it will enact,” he continued. “This meeting will allow us to further collaborate on joint initiatives that will improve the efficiency of existing crossings and coordinate planning for new ones, as well as allow us the opportunity to discuss the changes that we will need to implement across our respective states and countries to ensure a smooth transition from our former NAFTA Agreement,” he added.
Joining Mayor Hernandez in presenting Opening Remarks are Froylan Yescas Cedillo, Consul of Mexico, Mexican Consulate, McAllen, TX, Mario Chacon, Director General for North America, SRE, and Rebecca Daley, Border Affairs Coordinator, U.S. Department of State. Public presentations will also include updates and discussion with over ten bridge personnel and directors from throughout the border regions on both sides of the border.
All media and the public are invited to attend.
DETAILS WHAT: U.S. – Mexico Binational Bridges and Border Crossings Group (BBXG) East Regional Meeting WHEN: Thursday, March 12, 2020, at 8:00 am WHERE: Pharr Events Center (3000 N. Cage Blvd, Pharr, TX 78577)
The Board of Commissioners of the City of Pharr met for a regular meeting on Monday, March 2, 2020, and considered an agenda that included the following highlights:City Engineer’s Report: Update on Drainage Projects
Pharr City Engineer and Director Omar Anzaldua Jr. informed the City Commission that his department is coordinating with Public Works to begin drainage improvements throughout the city. The drainage system projects will consist of upgrades, widening, and making existing drainage deeper. “We are working on a plan of action and a timeline of when we can begin these projects. As soon as the timeline is confirmed and approved, the details will be made available to the public and posted on the city’s website,” said Anzaldua. Pharr Municipal Court Recognized
The Pharr Municipal Court was recently notified by the Texas Municipal Court Education Center and TxDOT that they have been selected for an award. This award recognizes the court’s hazards and risk model which promotes the city’s public safety, traffic education, and best practices. “Mayor and Commissioners, we are thrilled to be here with you today to tell you that the Pharr Municipal Court was selected as 1 of 22 recipients of a traffic safety initiative award out of 933 municipal courts in the State of Texas,” said Judge Marissa Carranza Hernandez. “We were also the only ones in the County of Hidalgo to be selected for this award, this is also the first time the City of Pharr Municipal Court is selected for this award,” she continued. Judge Carranza Hernandez and the Court Coordinator will be attending a conference in Austin on April 6, 2020, to present on what they are doing in Pharr as an example to other Municipal Courts throughout the state and will also be receiving their award at a banquet that evening.
City Hall Renovations: Payment Stations Now Available at the Pharr Development and Research Center in South Pharr
Interim City Manager Ed Wylie announced that with the renovations at Pharr City Hall underway, citizens are urged to make payments at stations set up throughout the city. A new payment station is now conveniently available at the Pharr Development and Research Center (850 W Dicker Rd, Pharr, TX 78577).
Featured Event: 14th Annual St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run/Walk – Saturday, March 14, 2020, at 8 am
The City of Pharr presents another family-friendly event for you, the St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run/Walk
Join us Saturday, March 14th, beginning at 8:00 AM at the PSJA Stadium (703 E. Sam Houston St. Pharr, Texas).
Pharr, Texas – On Monday, Pharr City Commissioner Bobby Carrillo, together with JoJo from KTEX and Ruben Vela from Super Tejano, announced the lineup for this year’s HUBPhest, which is themed “Country Boots/Tejano Roots.” Pharr’s annual flagship festival, HUBPhest, will take place starting at 2 pm in downtown Pharr on Saturday, April 4, 2020, and is FREE for all attendees before 5 pm, and only $5 admission after 5 pm. All you can ride carnival wristbands will be sold for $5.
“This year’s HUBPhest will once again be a celebration of our city’s unique cross-cultural heritage that spans borders, cultures, and languages,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “We are proud to be celebrating our Tejano Country roots and excited to announce our musical entertainment lineup and headlining acts,” he continued. “Everyone is invited to join us for the festivities, remember to bring your family, your friends, your lawn chairs, and join us on Saturday, April 4 for HUBPhest!”
HUBPhest is a family-friendly festival full of fun and entertainment. Features this year will include an IBCA-sanctioned Barbecue Cookoff, food booths, a carnival, petting zoo, dock dogs, and much, much more!
The HUBPhest lineup will feature musical performances by:
GARY HOBBS
DAVID LEE GARZA Y LOS MUSICALES
BO GARZA
STEVE AND HIS BARROOM BUDDIES
LAUREN CORZINE
DREW & THE DANCEHALL DREAMERS
City officials and HUBPhest sponsors are excited to announce that Pat Green and Michael Ray will be this year’s Headliners.
ABOUT PAT GREEN After rising through Texas’ college-town and dancehall scene years ago, Green earned himself major-label support in Nashville and became the poster child of Texas music for a whole generation of fans. His list of achievements includes over 2 million albums sold, three Grammy nominations and a sold-out Houston Astrodome. After releasing six albums in eight years, sending singles like “Wave on Wave” and “Let Me” up the charts, touring with powerhouses like Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban he took a three-year recharge. Now, Green is back in his comfort zone and playing by his own rules again. His is new independent album Home is his first set of originals in several years, and directly speaks to the hardcore fans that have been with him since the beginning. Featuring a mature country sound that is both modern and exposes his roots for all to see, his new tunes are full of ringing acoustic guitars, slippery steel and dobro, wailing fiddles and heartfelt, personal lyrics, making Home the return to form many fans have been waiting for.
ABOUT MICHAEL RAY Florida’s Michael Ray has a resonant voice and a knack for crafting vibrant, upbeat contemporary country-rock. Although he built a strong grassroots fan base in Southern Florida, Ray also gained prominence as the winner of the CW network’s reality television vocal competition The Next: Fame Is at Your Doorstep in 2012, where he was mentored by Big & Rich’s John Rich. Ray was an audience favorite on the show and ultimately took home the top prize. After the show, Ray signed a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell, and in 2014 released the hit single “Kiss You in the Morning.” His full-length major-label debut, Michael Ray, followed in 2015 on Warner Music Nashville. Well-received, the album made it to number four on the Country Albums chart and spawned two more singles with “Real Men Love Jesus” and “Think a Little Less.” Over the next several years, Ray toured extensively before returning to the studio alongside producer Scott Hendricks (Blake Shelton, Brooks & Dunn, Trace Adkins). In 2018, he delivered his sophomore album, Amos, which included the Top 20 country single “Get to You.” Amos debuted at five on Billboard’s Country Albums charts upon its June release.
Everyone is invited to join the City of Pharr for HUBPhest on Saturday, April 4, 2020, in Downtown Pharr. Gates open at 2 pm entrance is FREE until 5 pm. $5 entrance fee after 5 pm. Music, entertainment, and wholesome Pharr Fun for the Whole Family!
All media and the public are invited to attend.
DETAILS WHAT: Pharr HUB Phestival 2020 WHEN: Saturday, April 4, 2020, starting at 2 pm WHERE: Downtown Pharr (118 S. Cage, Blvd., Pharr, TX 78577)
Pharr, Texas – City of Pharr leaders and the Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Pharr Bridge Business Park’s latest distribution center, PBBP2. At the same time, they will kick off the groundbreaking of PBBP3 at the adjacent site.
The ribbon-cutting and groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 11 am on Thursday, March 5, 2020, at the Pharr Bridge Business Park (https://goo.gl/maps/gvUFrBbhEhxv2cFr6).
The Pharr Bridge Business Park (PBBP) is a 30-acre, master-planned industrial park with two existing 100,000 square foot class A facilities, and over 100,000 square feet of additional planned facilities. This premier development is located along the overweight corridor and less than 1.5 miles from the Pharr International Trade Bridge; the only international bridge with commercial traffic in the area. Southbound, PBBP offers direct access to Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico, home to over four hundred manufacturing operations occupying over thirty million square feet of industrial real estate. Northbound, PBBP feeds into Highway 281/Cage Boulevard, transitioning into Interstate 69, one of the most efficient distribution corridors in the U.S.
This development offers flexible multi-tenant and build-to-suit layouts for distribution, warehousing, and light assembly users. With an emphasis on inefficient inventory management, PBBP delivers ease of C-TPAT compliance through fenced and secured truck courts for its clients.
All media and the public are invited to attend.
DETAILS WHAT: Ribbon Cutting and Groundbreaking for the Pharr Bridge Business Park Distribution Center WHEN: Thursday, March 5, 2020, at 11 am WHERE: Pharr Bridge Business Park (https://goo.gl/maps/gvUFrBbhEhxv2cFr6) Directions: Head south on Cage until you hit Hi Line Rd. Take a right. Head west until you hit Sugar Rd., take a left. Head South once again until you hit Zaragoza, take a left, and tent will be set up in the parking lot.
*Photo Courtesy of Senator John Cornyn’s Office Pictured at a meeting in Senator Cornyn’s Office is (l to r): Hollis Rutledge, U.S. Senator John Cornyn, Pharr Director of External Affairs Cynthia Garza-Reyes, City Commissioner Daniel Chavez, and Public Affairs Liaison Michael Vargas.
Pharr, Texas – Pharr city leaders visited with members of Congress in Washington, D.C. last week to discuss priorities and funding for Pharr, the Pharr International Bridge, and regional projects.
City Commissioner Daniel Chavez, Director of External Affairs Cynthia Garza-Reyes, and Public Affairs Liaison Michael Vargas represented the City of Pharr during the trip.
“Under my leadership, the City of Pharr has taken a proactive approach to policy and funding solutions by actively meeting with members of Congress to enhance relationships and direct communication with leaders and staff as the city continues to advocate for Pharr families and regional projects for the Rio Grande Valley,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “By fostering positive-working partnerships directly with our representatives on both sides of the aisle, the City of Pharr has been able to accomplish great support and partnerships as we all work together to advance the future of Pharr and the Rio Grande Valley,” added Hernandez. “Our goal is to ensure that Pharr continues to thrive and especially with the passing of USMCA, we want to ensure that we are aware of potential changes that could affect business and trade and commerce in our city and region,” he stated.
The Pharr delegation met with several key members of Congress and staff including U.S. Senator John Cornyn, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, Congressman Vicent Gonzalez, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, U.S. Congressman Filemon Vela, the Legislative Director for U.S. Congressman Michael Conaway, U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul, members from the Office of U.S. Congressman John “Judge” Carter and leaders from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
While meeting with Senator Cornyn, the delegation discussed the importance of USMCA in relation to cross-border trade and its effect on the Pharr International Bridge, as well as Sen. Cornyn’s Protecting American’s Food and Agriculture Act, which has passed the Senate and is on the President’s desk awaiting his signature. This legislationwould ensure the safe and secure trade of agricultural goods across our nation’s borders by authorizing U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to hire additional inspectors to fully staff America’s airports, seaports and land ports of entry. The Pharr International Bridge and surrounding regional ports of entry would all benefit from this legislation.
“I always appreciate my friends from Pharr keeping me abreast of what’s happening in their community. It was a great meeting focused on binational trade with Mexico, and I was proud to highlight my bill that has passed the Senate to authorize CBP to hire additional inspectors to fully staff our ports of entry,” said Senator Cornyn.
The delegation also discussed job creation and trade with Senator Ted Cruz.
“It’s always a pleasure to meet with the City of Pharr Leadership,” Sen. Cruz said. “My number priority from day one in the Senate has been jobs because that’s the number one priority of Texans all across our great state. I was proud to support the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which is a win for Texas farmers, ranchers, manufactures, and businesses. The Pharr International Bridge is no exception and, as the number one port of entry for produce, it will only be strengthened under this agreement. I appreciate the leadership of Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez and the Pharr city council members and community leaders and I will continue working to ensure our trade agreements benefit Texas and put American jobs first.”
Congressman Filemon Vela welcomed the delegation as they met to discuss border trade and the importance of the Pharr International Bridge to the Texas and National economies.
“The Pharr bridge is a critical line of commerce between the United States and Mexico. As one of the most traveled commercialized bridges in the country, the men and women who operate the Pharr bridge help feed the nation. It’s always a pleasure meeting with City of Pharr leaders to discuss how we can ensure that this vital line of trade continues to operate so that commerce runs smoothly and safely,” said Congressman Filemon Vela.
Meeting with Congressman Gonzalez, the group met to cover key priority issues for the city and region.
“When Pharr thrives, the United States thrives,” said Congressman Vicente Gonzalez. “As a key international gateway, the city of Pharr plays a crucial role in economic development for South Texas. I will continue to advocate for the city of Pharr as it takes bold and innovative steps to improve its infrastructure, expand investment, make cross-border commerce more efficient, and bring more high-paying jobs to our region.”
Among the many other items discussed with leaders were transportation, technology, public safety, and continued talks regarding future possible pilot programs that could benefit the city.
Pharr delegation meets with U.S. Senator John Cornyn.
