Resolution in Support of Space X
SpaceX Bill Unanimously Clears Texas House of Representatives: Final Vote Expected Thursday
Legislation which would further the SpaceX Boca Chica Beach commercial space launch project cleared the full Texas House of Representatives without opposition Wednesday. The bill will be heard again Thursday on a perfunctory third reading, and will then soon head to the Senate
for consideration there.
House Bill 2623 by State Rep. Rene Oliveira allows Cameron County to temporarily close an area of beach for launches and space flight activities with approval of the General Land Office.
"We're demonstrating to the space industry that we want to be at the forefront of its development here in Texas," said Oliveira. "It also demonstrates that Cameron County and Brownsville are
committed to bring SpaceX to South Texas."
Although SpaceX has not made a final decision to relocate to the area, Oliveira said he filed the bill to ensure that the necessary legislative measures are in place to advance the project. .
"The project has received the strong backing of state leadership. The bill is about protecting access to Texas beaches while developing cutting edge new industry in our state," said Oliveira.
The bill specifies that a county must have the approval of the state's General Land Office before a launch may be made. The bill also prohibits the closure of a beach during the Saturday or Sunday preceding Memorial Day; Memorial Day; July 4; a Saturday after Memorial Day but before
Labor Day; and, a Sunday after Memorial Day but before Labor Day.
The proposed SpaceX project recently cleared initial Federal Aviation Administration environmental impact studies. If the FAA does not approve SpaceX's launch site, the beaches cannot be closed. Beaches may only be closed for a launch at an FAA approved site. If the FAA denies the
site, the bill will have no effect.
For immediate Release April 24, 2013
Anthony Gray (512)463-0640
Texas Senate Infrastructure Funding
The Texas Senate just passed by 31-0 SJR1, which allows voters to approve or deny on the November ballot a one-time $5.7 billion draw from the projected $12 billion Rainy Day Fund for:
· $800 million in public education funding
· $2 billion for water projects in the State Water Plan
· $2.9 billion for road and transportation projects.
The House has not considered this measure yet, and it remains to be seen whether the House could get the 2/3rd vote required to move the bill. But it's a significant vote for the Senate.
24th Annual Valley Proud Honors Banquet Set For Tuesday, May 21st!
The Valley Proud Honors Banquet was created by the Rio Grande Valley Partnership in 1989 in an effort to recognize and encourage the top two graduating seniors of every high school, both public and private, in the Rio Grande Valley. Every year since, the Partnership invites these young individuals to join us alongside their proud parents and educators as we recognize their academic achievement and provide words of wisdom as they continue their education and pursue their dreams.
We need your help sponsoring this extraordinary event to congratulate these students on their outstanding accomplishments and inspiring them towards greater achievement.
This year's Key Note Speaker will be Lynn Hickey Director of Athletics at UTSA!
Contact Samantha at 956.968.31 for sponsorship information or click the link below.
Royal Technologies Corporation Announces 325,000 sqft Manufacturing Facility in Mission
MISSION, TX - April 15, 2013 – Jim Vander Kolk, President, Royal Technologies Corporation, announced that after much consideration between Mission and other sites, the company has chosen to expand its operations in Mission, Texas. Royal Technologies Corporation has acquired 12 acres in the Mission Expressway Business Park where it will construct a Class A, 325,000 square foot manufacturing facility and create at least 100 jobs.
In April 2012, Mission EDC played a role in assuring that the newly formed alliance between Hi-Tech Plastics and Royal Technologies had a smooth transition. Hi-Tech Plastics, a custom molder in Mission, Texas, and Royal Technologies, an advanced engineering and manufacturing company serving industries as diverse as automotive, furniture, and consumer products in Hudsonville, MI, formed this alliance to better serve their customers in this region. The alliance resulted in a significant capital investment and an increase of approximately 30 jobs. This alliance proved to be a great match and in early December 2012, Royal Technologies acquired Hi-Tech plastics with the
intention of increasing their facility, employment, and production in Mission,Texas.
Royal Technologies Corporation, staying true to their word, plans to break ground later this month and expects to have the facility complete by early 2014. “The Mission EDC team has been working with Royal Technologies for the past several months and we are excited to see their hard work has paid off” stated David Deanda, MEDC/MEDA Chair. “The creation of 100 jobs is a substantial number of new jobs for a city like Mission; these are great jobs that will support families.”
"Royal Technologies Corporation’s expansion into Mission is a testament to the prosperous business climate that this region offers," Mayor Norberto “Beto” Salinas said. "I am thrilled about the expansion, and I am fully supportive of Royal Technologies’ decision to bring additional jobs and added revenue to our community."
Royal Technologies has about 900 employees throughout the U.S, not including the 85 jobs that were included in the acquisition of Hi-Tech Plastics or the 100 new jobs that will be created later this year.
“This project is an indication of Mission’s business-friendly climate and proof that Governor Perry’s message of Texas being open for business continues to
remain strong” stated Alex Meade, CEO, Mission EDC.
For more information, please contact: Mission EDC at (956) 585-0040
TSTC Day!
Pictured are Representative Eddie Lucio and Rio Grande Valley Partnership Board Member Dr. Ceasar Maldonaldo with LVN students from Texas State Technical College. TSTC students and instructors were in Austin for TSTC Day!
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4th Annual Texas Hold'Em Poker Tournament The 4th Annual Charity Texas Hold'Em Poker Tournament was a success! Thank you to all of our sponsors, players, members, board members and everyone else that was involved in making this event possible! |
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Congratulations Winners
Congratulations to our first place winner Brice Richards, second place winner Gunnen Craig and third place winner Michael Garza!
Thank You!
The Rio Grande Valley Partnership would like to congratulate the past Hidalgo County Regional
Mobility Authority Board Members for serving on the board.
Pictured left to right- Ramiro Salazar, Joe Daniel Olivarez, Dennis Burleson, Ramon Garcia, Roberto Villarreal and Pilar Rodriguez, PE, Executive Director.
Not present Richard Perez, Ruben Serna, Juan Maldonado and Ruben Plata.
Pictured are members of the BTA board with U.S. Senator Ted Cruz in his Washington office.
Around the table: Julian Alvarez from the Rio Grande Valley Partnership, Miguel Perez from Ryder, Lee Snitzer from DELPHI, Nelson Baildo, Bret Erickson from Texas International ProduceAssociation, Fred Schwien from Boeing, Russ Jones from RL Jones Custombrokers, and Jesse Hereford from S&B.
Julian Alvarez and members of the Border Trade Alliance travel to DC
Those of us in the Rio Grande Valley don’t need to be reminded of the importance of cross-border trade and travel to our region’s economy. After all, Texas in 2012 led all states in surface trade value with Mexico at nearly $146 billion. Much of that trade, from agriculture products to electronics to heavy equipment entered the U.S. through ports right here in the Valley, creating jobs and enhancing our area’s competitiveness along the way.
But what is front and center here at home might not be getting the attention it deserves at the highest levels of government. That’s why we joined a delegation from the Border Trade Alliance last week in Washington, D.C. to discuss with lawmakers the importance of trade to the Valley.
Infrastructure figured prominently in our discussions. With U.S.ports of entry at an average age of 40 years old, it is estimated that it would take $6 billion to modernize them up to today’s standards. In an age of budget cutting, that’s money that just isn’t available from Washington.
That’s why we urged action on the Cross-Border Trade Enhancement Act of 2013, legislation introduced in the Senate by Sen. John Cornyn and in the House by a bipartisan group of legislators, including Valley Congressmen Henry Cuellar and Filemon Vela.
Forward Thinking Tax Policy Give Texas a Competitive Tech Edge
When businesses look to Texas, they see a leader among the states economically. Our job creation and business-friendly climate is legendary.
Other states yearn for the Texas advantage, but in many cases, twenty states plus the District of Columbia, our competition is well ahead of the game when it comes to attracting the engine of the new economy--technology investment. And, that’s all because of the way Texas chooses to tax the manufacturers of technology and telecommunications networks.
Most Texans know the sales tax because they pay it on many of the items they buy—such as clothing, furniture, cable, Internet, and phone service. But in fact, 45 percent of all sales taxes are paid by not by individuals, but by businesses on the items they buy.
Valley medical school bill passes second House reading
A bill that would create a medical school in the Rio Grande Valley has passed its second reading in the Texas House of Representatives. House Bill 1000 had a second reading in the Texas State Capitol on Tuesday morning. The bill, which would merge UTPA and UTB and created a medical school, unanimoulsy passed the reading. According to Texas State Rep. Rene Oliveira (D-Brownsville), the bill must still undergo a third reading. A companion bill unanimously passed the Texas State Senate last week.
by Action 4 News Staff
Julian Alvarez and Cameron County Commissioner Dan Sanchez pose alongside WBC Super Welterweight World Champion Saul "Canelo" Alvarez during his visit to McAllen to promote his upcoming bout with Austin "No Doubt" Trout. Trout is also a WBA Super Welterweight World Champion.
Regional Mobility Update
The following link will take you to a power point that was presented to our Board of Directors at our August board meeting. Because of the ever-growing population, we have made the Regional Mobility Update a priority for over 20 years, and is something that we feel the entire Rio Grande Valley will benefit from.
