BROWNSVILLE, Texas - SpaceX will be hiring another 4,000 workers this year at its Starbase rocket launching facility at Boca Chica, says the executive director of South Texas Manufacturers Association.

Mike Willis gave an overview of the manufacturing scene in the Rio Grande Valley and northern Tamaulipas in his monthly report for February. After running through a number of plant closures over the past two years he ended on a very positive note.

“There's a lot going on. I think we're going to see a lot of announcements in the next year or so, up and down the Valley. So I am really pretty optimistic we'll see a lot more manufacturing job growth here than we've seen in a long time,” Willis said.

With regard to SpaceX, Willis stays in close contact with the company’s local leadership.

“On the good news front, SpaceX… and this may not be good news if you're a current manufacturer who's trying to hold on your workforce and find more people to hire… but SpaceX has confirmed that they're going to hire 4,000 more people in 2026 for Starbase.

According to Wikipedia, SpaceX had 13,000 workers as of September 2023. The company, whose proper name is Space Exploration Technologies, Corp., had an operating income of $8 billion in 2025.

Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr., told the RGG Business Journal that he too has heard that SpaceX is hiring an additional 4,000 workers this year.

“Four thousand new workers? Yes, that had been in the offing. During our conversations, they're expanding. Plus the movement or transfer of their headquarters, meaning additional employees. So the growth continues. We're very, very excited about it, obviously,” Treviño said.

“It means we've got a lot of work to do. From an infrastructure standpoint. we need TxDOT to get cracking on Highway 4 sooner rather than later. There were too many people already on it. We’ve got to get that done. But these are good problems to have. These are great problems they have.”

Editor's Note: Go to the RGG Business Journal for more border business stories.

Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.

MCALLEN, Texas - There was a 30 percent decrease in loans for construction companies in the Rio Grande Valley in January, the executive director of the South Texas Builders Association reports.

Mario Guerrero visited Washington, D.C., recently to urge the White House and the Department of Homeland Security to stop ICE from conducting raids at construction sites. Those meetings in D.C. were set up by U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar.

“We need to protect our economy. Right now in South Texas, we're being dramatically affected. In January, there was a 30 percent decrease in construction loans. Compared to 2025, there's been a 30 percent decrease in construction loans that have been acquired by contractors in order to go ahead and build homes. It's a big strain on the economy. We have companies that have filed for bankruptcy. It's no secret to the people that are here from the Valley. We’ve also had companies that are seeing 40% losses on revenues, lumber companies, tile companies across the Valley.”

Guerrero made those comments on a webinar with Congressman Cuellar and Monica Y. Martinez, executive director of Laredo Chamber of Commerce.

Guerrero also participated on a webinar hosted recently by Comite de 100, a group founded buy business leaders who wish to create “an immigration system that reflects the values of fairness, economic prosperity, and respect for all.”

Guerrero told the group that he will continue to call out local elected officials until ICE stops its raids of construction sites.

“I’m nowhere near a professional when it comes to politics, and maybe my tactics are a little rugged, but one of the things that I did down here in South Texas is I called out every elected official by name, and I also put their picture on a video,” Guerrero said, explaining his tactics in getting attention for STBA’s cause.

“I really believe that our elected officials should be our voice. I'm a civilian, and if you're an elected official, you should be our voice in the good and in the bad. So I stated in a video that was released by my team in early November of last year that we needed to hold each elected official accountable. (The meeting) was set up for 200 people, and we had close to 400 people show up. It was extremely packed.”

As a result to that meeting, STBA secured national media attention, Guerrero told Comite de 100.

“I do have a very strong presence in the media outlets. I also have a podcast that reaches hundreds of thousands of people. I don't believe I'm doing anything special, but I do believe that we need to hold the politicians that we put an office accountable for what they're voting for.”

The saddest thing builders are seeing is ICE agents racing 50 and 60 miles an hour in neighborhoods as they try to apprehend their construction workers, Guerrero said.

“The saddest part that we're seeing is these ICE agents are going 50, 60, miles per hour down a subdivision. Okay, we understand that you're probably trying to get to a job site that's inside that subdivision. But what are you going to do if you kill the child? What if there's a child riding a bike? And I have videos that I showed at that meeting. When you have these ICE agents going and driving these vehicles between 40 to 60 miles per hour in people's backyards that are not fenced we have a real problem.”

Editor's Note: To read the full story go to the Rio Grande Guardian website. The attached audio comes from the Comite de 100 webinar.

Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - The Rio Grande Valley chapter of the Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects is hosting a mixer in Brownsville on the evening of February 18.

It is titled: “Downtown Brownsville - A Master Plan Revitalization Mixer. It is being held at Boqueron Food & Wine Bar on E. Washington Street, starting at 5:30 p.m.

To learn more about I-LinCOP and the mixer, the RGG Business Journal met up with Oscar Garcia, regional vice president for Broaddus & Associates, and vice president for I-LinCP-RGV, and Doroteo Garcia, Jr., assistant city manager for the City of Brownsville.

I-LinCP is a Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that brings together contractors, architects, and engineers to improve the planning, design, and delivery of capital projects. The group started a chapter in the Rio Grande Valley in early 2025. It held two events in the Valley last year, one in McAllen and one in Weslaco. Now it is working to expand in Brownsville.

“We felt this would be a great opportunity to focus on some of the big projects that are happening in Brownsville, namely the downtown revitalization effort that's going on right now,” Oscar Garcia said.

Editor's Note: Go to the RGG Business Journal to read the full story.

Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.

MCALLEN, Texas - RioPlex is planning to visit Asia and Europe later this year in order to drum up business for the region.

The trade missions will likely take in the United Kingdom, Taiwan and Japan. There will also be a number of visits to Mexico and different parts of the United States. A signature event, much like the group did in Houston last year, will be held in Mexico, most likely in Mexico City.

Confirmation that the group was making such arrangements came from Mario Reyna, in an exclusive podcast with the RGG Business Journal, and top strategist Astrid Salazar, on a webinar with the Prosperity Task Force.

“One of our main goals, besides confirming projects, (after all) that's what we are here for, is to host international delegations for our region, so everyone knows who we are, what we do, and they understand how the dynamic of our region works, and also to be part of foreign trade missions abroad,” Salazar said.

“We're thinking about at least one in Asia, probably Taiwan or Japan, and then some other events in the US, and then one in in the UK.”

Salazar also told the task force: “For 2026 we're working on strategic visits, both in US and in Mexico to attract more business. These visits are going to be monthly, mainly in Texas, some other parts of the US, and then on the Mexican side, Monterrey and Mexico City are the biggest ones we're working on.”

Asked about RioPlex’s calendar for 2026, Reyna told the Business Journal:

“Basically, we will do a signature event, like the one we did in Houston (last year). And right now, more than likely, it might be Mexico City. After that, we do have plans of perhaps going to Taiwan, Japan and the United Kingdom. Why those particular countries? Because those countries have a lot of what we call foreign direct investment (coming) into this particular area, and so that's where they're coming from.”

Editor's Note: Attached is an audio recording of Astrid Salazar's remarks at a recent Prosperity Task Force webinar. She was introduced by Mario Reyna, coordinator of the Prosperity Task Force and executive director of RioPlex.

Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.

Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez today begins a charm offensive as he seeks to bring the larger cities and economic development organizations in the Rio Grande Valley under the RioPlex umbrella.

Cortez plans to meet with all the EDCs, both individually and collectively. The first meeting takes place today with an unnamed city.

Asked what the feedback has been so far, Cortez said: “The response that we're getting from people we've contacted is very positive. The response that we've gotten from individual cities is they're still unsure.”

Smaller cities are coming on board, however. The cities of Mercedes, Alton, Alamo and Elsa have all joined or said they will join RioPlex.

Cortez’s argument is that if individual cities or EDCs go after new business on their own, they are not telling the full story. The full story is all the assets in the region, he says. And that region, RioPlex, comprises the Valley and northern Tamaulipas.

Cortez likens it to a customer visiting a mall. RioPlex is the mall and each city is a store within the mall. The city is not the mall.

In an in-depth interview with the RGG Business Journal, Cortez explained how RioPlex came about and what its goals are. He said to tell the full story he had to start with the Hidalgo County Prosperity Task Force.

Editor's Note: Go to the RGG Business Journal to read the full story.

Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.

EDINBURG, Texas - The Valley Alliance of Mentors for Opportunities and Scholarships (VAMOS) is celebrating 30 years of service to first-generation, low-income students across the Rio Grande Valley.

In recognition of this year’s anniversary, VAMOS has a goal of raising $1 million in scholarship funds.

The organization’s largest fundraiser each year is a golf tournament. The 30th Annual VAMOS Golf Tournament takes place on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Champion Lakes Golf Course in McAllen, Texas. Proceeds from the tournament will directly support four-year renewable scholarships, with awards of up to $20,000 over four academic years for students from Hidalgo, Cameron, and Starr counties.

The attached audio was recorded at a press conference VAMOS held at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance. The event was held to announce the golf tournament. The speakers featured on the broadcast are: Karla Rodriguez, a curriculum coordinator at Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD, Sergio Sanchez, board trustee for VAMOS, Dr. Andrew Phillips, MD, who works in DHR's intensive care unit, and Brianna Maldonado, a VAMOS-UTRGV scholar.

Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Cameron County held its State of the County Luncheon in Harlingen last month and Precinct 2 Commissioner Joey Lopez spoke about La Esperanza Community Park’s all-inclusive renovations.

The park reopened in July 2025, with the addition of an inclusive splash pad for children. According to Lopez, the park has been utilized by several children and families that are wheelchair-bound.

“The area is well shaded,” Lopez said. “The renovations that have happened within this past year (are worth) about $2.3 million. We added a huge splash pad that was put in, we updated the walking trail and we have a butterfly garden there.”

The funding for the project was paid through the American Rescue Plan Act. Lopez said the support from the city’s park’s department helped get the park acknowledged by the state level.

“If you haven’t had a chance to come on by and take a look at it, please come on by,” Lopez said. “You’d be very impressed.”

Noble Texas Builders won an Eagle Award at the ABC South Texas 2025 Excellence in Construction Awards for the design and construction of La Esperanza Park. Rene Capistran, president of Noble, said the park has been reimagined with accessibility at its core.

“Working alongside the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the transformation of this beloved community space includes major upgrades that make it more inclusive and welcoming for all visitors. From ADA-compliant renovations in the Community and Technology Buildings to fully accessible outdoor features, every detail was designed with comfort, safety, and usability in mind,” he said.

Editor's Note: The read the full story go to the Rio Grande Guardian website.

Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.

MISSION, Texas - AltaCair Foundation’s top event of 2025 was its Accelerator Conference. This was the third year in a row AltaCair has held an Accelerator Conference. It was billed as the largest health summit in South Texas. During the conference, the group’s president, Dr. Rashmi Chandran, gave a series of interviews. Here is one of them.

Go to the Rio Grande Guardian website for the full story.

Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.