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Events

Harlingen EDC participates in the 2021 Texas Legislative Conference, RGV priorities

Harlingen, Texas (Feb. 23, 2021) - The 2021 Texas Economic Development Council's Legislative Conference was held virtually and brought together various leaders from across the state and locally.

The week-long event began Monday, Feb. 22, and topics throughout the conference include post-pandemic outlooks, small business initiatives, legislative updates, diversity and inclusion, and regional updates.

Harlingen EDC CEO Raudel Garza joined several regional leaders for a regional forum that included Rio South Texas Council's executive director Matt Ruszczak, RGV Partnership's director Sergio Contreras, City of Laredo's Mayor Pete Saenz. This particular event was moderated by City of Laredo EDC director Teclo Garcia.

The group discussed Rio Grande Valley priorities such as HB3 - the education finance bill that would provide more money for classrooms, increased pay for educators, and cuts property taxes for Texas taxpayers; Chapter 313 state incentive program; broadband deployment; I-69, and more.

Garza briefly talked about RGV ports like Port of Harlingen and Port of Brownsville and maritime improvements both are making plus grant funds being used towards barge service.

The Harlingen EDC was among several cities recognized by the TEDC as they announced the recipients of its annual Economic Excellence Recognition program for 2020 Tuesday morning. The organization was chosen based on achieving various objectives that include encouragement of professional staff membership and involvement in TEDC, attending training opportunities, and advocates of professional economic development in Texas.

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