McAllen ISD is one of just 17 school districts in the US and Canada to earn the prestigious 2022 Annual Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® (AEP) from the National Procurement Institute, Inc. (NPI). This is the ninth time in 10 years McAllen ISD has achieved this international recognition. The AEP Award is earned by public and non-profit agencies that demonstrate a commitment to procurement excellence. This annual program recognizes procurement organizations that embrace innovation, professionalism, productivity, leadership, and e-procurement. McAllen ISD also won the NPI award in 2013-18 and 2020-21. The AEP program encourages the development of excellence as well as continued organizational improvement to earn the award annually. For 2022, there were 171 successful applicants, including 36 counties, 73 cities, 14 higher education agencies, 17 school districts, 15 special districts, five state or provincial agencies, and 11 others. In addition to the National Procurement Institute, Inc. (NPI), the AEP…

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McALLEN — When City Manager Roel “Roy” Rodriguez opened up the series of budget workshops last month, his analysis of the city’s performance was nothing short of positive. “All cylinders are burning,” he told the city commissioners. The city is on the precipice of adopting a $641 million budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year — up from the $519 million budget approved for the current fiscal year — which, once approved, will be their largest budget to date. The budget includes a $133 million general fund with a fund balance of $78.5 million. That represents about 220 days of working capital, more than the 140 days of working capital on reserve that is required by city policy. For the next fiscal year, the city will also be funding more than 100 capital improvement projects totaling about $284 million. Among those projects are the $83 million project to convert the Anzalduas…

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BY MATT WILSON THE MONITOR STAFF WRITER The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is welcoming 5,827 incoming freshmen this semester — a school record — as it heads into its third straight year with a first day enrollment of more than 32,000. The university has a record number of doctoral students as well, with 492. Although enrollment numbers won’t be final until the 12th day of class and the school doesn’t have as many masters program enrollees this semester — likely a postpandemic correction — UTRGV President Guy Bailey said growing enrollment points to something significant: a momentum with an almost snowball-like effect that he says will reshape the landscape of the Rio Grande Valley. In Bailey’s view, there’s two things driving enrollment growth, the first of which is a cultural shift in the Valley that increasingly makes higher education the norm for locals. “Education is prized more down…

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Looking for business funding? The McAllen 0% Interest Loan Program may be a fit for you! The program offers small business loans to help you stabilize and grow your business. Learn more and apply at: www.LiftFund.com/McAllenZeroPercentLoans

MCALLEN, Texas – South Texas College Board of Trustee Paul Rodriguez was recently named 108th President of the Texas Land Title Association (TLTA), the first Rio Grande Valley native to hold this state title. The TLTA is a statewide association representing the Texas title insurance industry that serves more than 15,000 professionals by providing a program of regulatory and legislative advocacy on a state and federal level. Rodriguez, president, and chief executive officer of Valley Land Title Co., a real estate title insurance agency with four offices in Hidalgo County, has served on the TLTA board for six years, serving as treasurer and president-elect, but has been a member of the association for more than a decade. He said this role was never one he imagined, retiring after 30 years in commercial banking and entering the title insurance business in 2006. “This has been a second career for me,” Rodriguez…

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 WESLACO – One Mid-Valley woman has transformed the challenges she faced while breastfeeding into a flourishing health care career. South Texas College alumna Sabrina de la Rosa began her health care career preparations at STC in 2007 as a dual enrollment student. She said she remembers spending half her school day at Weslaco East High School and the other half at STC. “It was a great experience,” de la Rosa said. “I graduated in the top 10% of my class, ranked 37th, and was awarded a two-year scholarship to STC.” She received her associate degree in biology in 2009 and then decided to study physical therapy at the University of Texas-Pan American. That’s when she began her own journey into motherhood. “Throughout that time, I never had help in learning about lactation,” de la Rosa said. “I had to use Google and books. I lived at Barnes and Noble –…

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Pat Davison and Family performs Comedy Magic and Juggling for corporate, public, and private events: Awards Banquets, Wedding Receptions, Corporate Meetings, Quinceanera Receptions, School Fundraisers, Motivational Programs for schools K-College, Senior Residences, Birthday Parties, Customer/Employee Appreciation Banquets and Parties, Church Socials, Conventions, Trade Shows, Restaurants, Holiday Parties, Country Clubs, Etc. Visit: www.SuperComedyShow.com  Or call Pat Davison at 612-597-7797

New CEO to lead company’s future growth (Raymondville, TX – May 25, 2022) – The Board of Directors for Valley Telephone Cooperative, Inc. (VTCI) and VTX1 Companies (VTX1) have elected Patrick McDonnell as the company’s next Chief Executive Officer, effective June 1, 2022. This election comes after serving as Chief Operating Officer for the company for approximately the last two years. McDonnell will succeed outgoing CEO, Dave Osborn, who has been at the helm of the company since 2005. Osborn will serve in the capacity as Special Advisor to the Board of Directors for the remainder of the year to assist with special projects and transitionary responsibilities as he retires from a distinguished 50-year career in telecommunications. “My expectation is to continue building on the plans Dave set forth to grow VTX1 over the last 17 years” shared McDonnell. “We will continue to be heavily involved in supporting the local…

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Survey conducted by GoBankingRates.com Once again, McAllen receives another accolade for the benefits it provides its residents; this time, those on a budget. According to the folks at GoBankingRates.com, McAllen ranks number one for anyone planning to retire on Social Security alone.  The financial website conducted the survey and found that half of the list includes cities in Texas, with other cities from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas. “This is such good news for many in our community who are on a fixed government income, including the elderly and others who will rely on Social Security for their retirement,” said McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos. “While we hope to elevate the opportunities for our younger generations, with higher-paying jobs and more educational opportunities, having affordable housing and other amenities for those who live on their Social Security check alone is important to us, as well.” McAllen has the lowest average rent — $613…

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