Change is happening in McAllen. The work for a better tomorrow over the past year has produced record-breaking results that have improved the quality of life to the citizens of the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metro area.

It is our privilege that the McAllen Chamber of Commerce provides the backbone necessary to build a strong, sprouting business, and when more businesses plant their roots into McAllen’s soil, more jobs become available to our citizens.

While we all share in this success, it wasn’t an easy win to obtain. Thanks to our programs—such as the McAllen Chamber of Commerce Innovation Grant, 1 Million Cups, and IdeaPlace powered by Wells Fargo to name a few—that foster ambition, reward innovation, and inspire hope, local entrepreneurs both inexperienced and experienced are realizing their true potential. Because of our dedication to nurturing these small businesses, job vacancies have been created, effectively decreasing the unemployment rate throughout the metro area and beyond.

When we compare our area’s statistics from last year’s unemployment rate to the results we have currently, we find that McAllen’s rate has dropped to the lowest within the Valley, decreasing by 0.2 percent to a total of 4.9 percent.  Not so far behind is Edinburg, where the unemployment rate decreased 0.1 percent from last year, now 5.1 percent. In other parts of the Rio Grande Valley, places like Harlingen are decreasing their unemployment rate as well, where a 0.3 percent dip from last year leaves the city currently at 6.1 percent.

In the spirit of keeping this trend moving in the right direction, job seekers have a prime opportunity to secure a satisfying career. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on August 25, the McAllen Public Library will be working together with Workforce Solutions of the Rio Grande Valley to host their semi-annual job fair. Over 50 employers will be there, searching for the perfect candidate to join their team. Update your resume, iron out your best business attire, and head on out to this great opportunity.

It may be hard work for us to help you fulfill your dream, but at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, we wouldn’t have it any other way.