Images McAllen, TX: 2010

2010 | IMAGESMCALLEN.COM

McALLEN TEXAS

IT’S FUN HERE Sports, nature tourism, arts keep life interesting

MANY SHADES OF GREEN Recycle, reduce top environmental agenda

A Tour for the Taste Buds SPONSORED BY THE McALLEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

What’s s e Online Enjoy a peek k around the Quinta Mazatlan birding center

Your Time Is Worth It. Get There Faster ‌

Fly McAllen!

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2010 EDITION | VOLUME 8

McALLEN TEXAS

8 McALLEN BUSINESS

CO NTE NT S

26 Shopping Spree

F E AT U R E S

McAllen’s rapid retail growth makes it a lively shopping hub

8 WHERE CREATIVITY FLOURISHES McAllen nourishes the arts and artists.

30 Biz Briefs 32 Chamber Report 33 Economic Profile

12 IT’S FUN HERE McAllen offers something for everyone – sports, nature tourism, performing arts.

16 A TOUR FOR THE TASTE BUDS Restaurants here create colorful dishes from around the world.

20 MANY SHADES OF GREEN McAllen keeps environmental consciousness in the forefront.

34 A NATURAL TREASURE IN THE TEXAS TROPICS Quinta Mazatlan fosters flora and fauna

D E PA R TM E NT S 6 Almanac: a colorful sampling of McAllen culture

22 Portfolio: people, places and events that define McAllen

40 41 43 45 47

Health & Wellness Arts & Culture Sports & Recreation Education Community Profile: facts, stats and important numbers to know

All or part of this magazine is printed with soy ink on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.

ON THE COVER The Patio on Guerra Photo by Jeff Adkins

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MANAGING EDITOR KIM MADLOM

imagesmcallen.com THE DEFINITIVE RELOCATION RESOURCE

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COPY EDITOR JOYCE CARUTHERS ASSOCIATE EDITORS LISA BATTLES, JESSY YANCEY STAFF WRITERS CAROL COWAN, KEVIN LITWIN CONTRIBUTING WRITERS SUZANNE BOPP, LAURA GALLAGHER, KELLY KOEPKE, JESSICA MOZO, BETSY WILLIAMS DATA MANAGER CHANDRA BRADSHAW INTEGRATED MEDIA MANAGER DAVID MOSKOVITZ SALES SUPPORT MANAGER CINDY HALL SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER BRIAN McCORD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS JEFF ADKINS, TODD BENNETT, ANTONY BOSHIER, J. KYLE KEENER PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT MANAGER ANNE WHITLOW CREATIVE DIRECTOR KEITH HARRIS ASSOCIATE PRODUCTION DIRECTOR CHRISTINA CARDEN PRODUCTION PROJECT MANAGERS MELISSA BRACEWELL, KATIE MIDDENDORF, JILL WYATT SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS LAURA GALLAGHER, KRIS SEXTON, CANDICE SWEET, VIKKI WILLIAMS LEAD DESIGNER JESSICA MANNER GRAPHIC DESIGN ERICA HINES, JANINE MARYLAND, MARCUS SNYDER WEB IMPLEMENTATION DIRECTOR ANDY HARTLEY WEB DESIGN DIRECTOR FRANCO SCARAMUZZA WEB DESIGN LEAD LEIGH GUARIN WEB CONTENT MANAGER JOHN HOOD WEB PROJECT MANAGER YAMEL RUIZ WEB DESIGN CARL SCHULZ

PICTURE PERFECT

WEB PRODUCTION JENNIFER GRAVES COLOR IMAGING TECHNICIAN ALISON HUNTER AD TRAFFIC MARCIA MILLAR, PATRICIA MOISAN, RAVEN PETTY

We’ve added even more of our prize-winning photography to the online gallery. To see these photos, click on Photo Gallery.

CHAIRMAN GREG THURMAN PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER BOB SCHWARTZMAN

RELOCATION

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RAY LANGEN SR. V.P./CLIENT DEVELOPMENT JEFF HEEFNER SR. V.P./SALES CARLA H. THURMAN

Considering a move to this community? We can help. Use our Relocation Tools to discover tips, including how to make your move green, advice about moving pets and help with booking movers.

SR. V.P./OPERATIONS CASEY E. HESTER V.P./SALES HERB HARPER V.P./SALES TODD POTTER V.P./VISUAL CONTENT MARK FORESTER V.P./EDITORIAL DIRECTOR TEREE CARUTHERS V.P./CUSTOM PUBLISHING KIM NEWSOM MANAGING EDITOR/BUSINESS BILL McMEEKIN MANAGING EDITOR/TRAVEL SUSAN CHAPPELL PRODUCTION DIRECTOR NATASHA LORENS PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR JEFFREY S. OTTO CONTROLLER CHRIS DUDLEY ACCOUNTING MORIAH DOMBY, DIANA GUZMAN, MARIA McFARLAND, LISA OWENS RECRUITING/TRAINING DIRECTOR SUZY SIMPSON DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR GARY SMITH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR YANCEY TURTURICE IT SERVICE TECHNICIAN RYAN SWEENEY HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER PEGGY BLAKE SALES SUPPORT RACHAEL GOLDSBERRY SALES/MARKETING COORDINATOR RACHEL MATHEIS EXECUTIVE SECRETARY/SALES SUPPORT KRISTY DUNCAN

VIDEOS In our Interactive section, watch quick videos by our editors and photographers featuring people, places and events.

OFFICE MANAGER SHELLY GRISSOM RECEPTIONIST LINDA BISHOP

CU S TO M M AG A Z INE M ED I A

McAllen is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and its member businesses.

For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by e-mail at info@jnlcom.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: McAllen Chamber of Commerce 1200 Ash Avenue • McAllen, TX 78501 Phone: (956) 682-2871 • Fax: (956) 687-2917 www.mcallenchamber.com

FACTS & STATS Go online to learn even more about: • Schools • Health care • Utilities • Parks • Taxes

LOCAL FLAVOR From the simple to the sublime, the delicious offerings here are guaranteed to satisfy every appetite.

VISIT McALLEN ONLINE AT IMAGESMCALLEN.COM ©Copyright 2009 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved.

No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent.

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ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE McAllen gives readers a taste of what makes McAllen tick – from business and education to sports, health care and the arts.

“Find the good – and praise it.”

– Alex Haley (1921-1992), Journal Communications co-founder

Member McAllen Chamber of Commerce

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Almanac

Memorial Honors Veterans The Veterans War Memorial of Texas is a salute to patriotism and its defenders.

The memorial honors the 1.3 million United States military personnel killed in wars and conflict. Located near the corner of Ware Road and U.S. 83, the memorial is the brainchild of Hidalgo County resident and World War II veteran Frank Plummer.

Still to be built is the exhibit’s centerpiece – the Memorial Building‚ which will feature a roofline that resembles an eagle’s wings in flight.

Convergence of Art and Science The International Museum of Art & Science has been bringing art, science and fun to the Rio Grande Valley for more than 40 years.

IMAS, which is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, has five galleries with fine art‚ folk art and decorative art.

There is a children’s Discovery Pavilion that offers hands-on learning, and an outdoor Rio Scape exhibit simulates a journey along the Rio Grande from the mountains to McAllen.

The museum also has stained glass displays along with a sculpture garden.

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A Bite of Pop Culture ulture McAllen native Catherine Hardwicke wicke is part of a phenomenon that has sunk itss teeth into pop culture.

Hardwicke directed the first movie ovie in the Twilight series, a book about vampires pires and young love. For her work, Hardwicke cke was inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame in March 2009.

She shared the spotlight with both oth Larry Hagman, who played J.R. Ewing wing in the popular ’80s television show w Dallas, and film star Powers Boothe. e.

Another notable celebrity from the McAllen area is Valente Rodriguez, a comedian and an actor in films and television.

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Fast Facts

Staging Shakespeare Residents of McAllen now have an outdoor theater for the annual production of Shakespeare in the Park and other artistic performances.

The Bill Schupp Park Amphitheatre and Sunken Gardens opened in March 2009. The facility was named in honor of one of McAllen’s longest serving city managers.

The sunken garden features a fountain made from Texas granite.

The fountain is dedicated to the American family, with each stone representing the bond within a family and the flow of life between family members.

Conventional Growth Co It’s time to take the next step toward establishing McAllen as a convention destination.

City leaders are pursuing financing to build two hotels at the Convention Center site, a move that is expected to lure more conventions to the community.

The convention center opened in 2007 and boasts more than 174,000 square feet of multifunctional space on 18 acres. The facility and grounds incorporate elements that reflect the cultural and natural diversity of McAllen, with features such as indoor palm trees and a butterfly-shaped crystal chandelier in the 10,000-square-foot ballroom.

In addition to enriching the quality of life in McAllen by bringing so many events to the city, the McAllen Convention Center has provided a boost to the local economy.

McAllen At A Glance POPULATION (2008 ESTIMATE) McAllen: 128,000 Greater McAllen area: 383,545

FOR MORE INFORMATION McAllen Chamber of Commerce 1200 Ash Ave. McAllen, TX 78501 Phone: (956) 682-2871 Fax: (956) 687-2917 www.mcallenchamber.com

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Q The majority of McAllen’s population – nearly 90 percent – is Hispanic.

Q There are more than 600 restaurants within the city limits of McAllen.

Q More than 100 of the Fortune 500’s global manufacturers have operations in McAllen or across the border in Reynosa.

Q The Valley Symphoney Orchestra performs several times each year at various venues in McAllen.

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LOCATION McAllen is in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, 70 miles west of the Gulf of Mexico.

BEGINNINGS The city of McAllen was unofficially founded in 1904 and incorporated in 1911.

Q The Renaissance Casa de Palmas Hotel was built in 1918, but renovations in 2000 allow it to combine McAllen’s colorful past with the conveniences of today.

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What’s Online e Take a virtual tour of McAllen, courtesy of our awardwinning photographers, at imagesmcallen.com.

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What’s Online e McAllen’s artistic tradition is thriving in visual and performing arts. Learn more about the local arts culture at imagesmcallen.com.

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Where

Creativity

Flourishes McALLEN NURTURES ITS ARTS AND ARTISTS

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“My hat’s off to the city commission for deciding to commit a percentage of its budget to the arts.”

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McALLEN

STORY BY SUZANNE B. BOPP | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF ADKINS

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vibrant art scene can translate to a higher quality of life, says Greg Schuller, the cultural arts director for McAllen’s Chamber of Commerce.

By that standard, life in McAllen is pretty good.

One of the reasons McAllen’s art scene is so vibrant: the McA2 Creative Incubator, formed in 2005. That year, the chamber rented an old elementary school and created a dozen studio spaces, making them available to artists of all genres.

“We don’t have a closed view of what art is,” Schuller says.

“It’s anything from a stick figure on a piece of paper to a Picasso to Web design.” Current occupants include two photographers, a fashion designer and a radio/television producer.

The rent is affordable – $100 to $200 a month – and the resident artists can also hold performances in the auditorium and workshops in a former classroom. To help the artists “take the next step,” they write a business plan with the help of the chamber’s vice president of business.

“We want to give them every opportunity to achieve what they might not think they could achieve,” Schuller says.

The artists’ contracts are for a year, but the program is flexible; some of the artists have been there since the program’s beginning. “We do ask them to hold a performance or exhibition once a year, so they don’t get stagnant,” Schuller says. “We help them with that financially.”

McAllen artists also benefit from McAllen Arts Council

grants, a program now in its third year. The grants give $1,000 each year to the top 10 applicants, with help from the Texas Commission on the Arts. As with the incubator program, the grants are kept open to all types of art; recipients have included a band with a new single and Memorial High School, which needed some financial help with a mosaic near the school grounds.

This past April saw McAllen’s first Fine Arts Show, now to be an annual event. For four days, local artists displayed their work in the conference room at the McAllen Civic Center. The show ended on a Friday to coincide with an ArtWalk, an event started by local art galleries that is popular in the Valley.

A new addition to the ArtWalk is the recently built Art Village, a series of buildings at Main and Hackberry streets.

“It anchors the ArtWalk, creating a little village,” says owner Alonzo Cantu. It will house all types of sellers and performers – anything to do with creativity – from jewelry to music to a stained-glass shop, already open in the village and owned by Cantu’s wife, Yoli.

With a new entertainment district starting downtown – a live music strip to rival Austin’s 6th Street and a restaurant row next to it – McAllen is truly a haven for the arts, thanks to the efforts of the artists and the community that supports them.

“My hat’s off to the city commission for deciding to commit a percentage of its budget to the arts,” Schuller says.

“It’s helped foster creativity in McAllen.”

Previous page: Nuevo Santander Gallery Opposite: Armadillo by artist Mark Rossi Below: The new arts center and an exhibit featuring musicians playing instruments on display in the Nuevo Santander Gallery

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It’s

Fun

Here

ENJOY SPORT SPORTS, TS, S NATURE A TOURISM, O S PERFORMING ERFORMING ARTS, ART TS, SOCIAL EXPERIENCES

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STORY BY KELLY KOEPKE PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF ADKINS

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ature, sports, performing arts, wine tasting – McAllen has something to satisfy every appetite.

Quinta Mazatlan, the McAllen wing of the World Birding Center, exemplifies the outdoor and environmental focus of the city, its residents and visitors. This private estate turned nature-tourism preserve demonstrates the astounding diversity of flora and fauna in the Rio Grande Valley with year-round nature programs.

“Because McAllen sits in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley, it’s the most popular and productive birding destination in the United States,” says Nancy Millar, Vice President and Director of the McAllen Convention and Visitors Bureau for the McAllen Chamber of Commerce. “We have more bird species than most entire states, and 39 species that are only found here among U.S. states.”

The McAllen area rolls out the red carpet for outdoor lovers of all feather and stripe, with three companies offering popular kayak and canoe tours down the Rio Grande. One of their destinations is the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, famous for the number of species that call it home.

Birders are up and out early in McAllen, and so are cyclists. McAllen’s active cycling club takes advantage of the region’s consistent mild weather and the city’s numerous parks. Several designated hike-and-bike trails attract in-line skaters, cyclists and walkers.

Youth and adult soccer and softball leagues also keep the parks busy.

For the spectator, there’s plenty of opportunity to cheer on a favorite team, too. Dodge Arena, the area’s 6,000-seat arena, is home to professional ice hockey and basketball. The facility also hosts top-name entertainment, musicians and other events.

First Friday ArtWalks, live music and live performances at the historic Residents jog along the Second Street Hike-and-Bike trail.

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El Rey Theater also appeal to culture enthusiasts. Palm Fest, an annual cultural fair, combines live music, historical displays and outdoor cook-offs during the first weekend of October.

McAllen is home to the International Museum of Art and Science, an educational community museum that preserves the past, records the present and provides perspective for the future.

Affiliated with the Smithsonian, it houses the nation’s largest collection of Mexican folk art, with more than 3,000 pieces.

The city’s emerging, local live music and restaurant scene prompted Jessica and Larry Delgado to open house. wine. in 2008. This two-in-one store combines comfortable home furnishings and accessories with a boutique wine lounge. house. wine. offers 150 wines by the glass, bottle or case, as well as 50 beers, mostly from Texas, of course.

The Delgados’ success with the wine lounge concept is one of several McAllen wine culture options. Water 2 Wine, a custom winery, offers tastings, wine-making classes, and the opportunity to create your own vintage, complete with custom labels.

The Santa Fe Steakhouse is changing the face of the wine market in the Rio Grande Valley, constantly improving and upgrading its more than 600 offerings. This year, Santa Fe Steakhouse was awarded the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence, awarded to only 13 restaurants in Texas. This popular McAllen favorite takes the same pride and care in choosing its wines as it does its cuts of prime steak and seafood.

“There’s so much going on – growth, the new entertainment district,” says Jessica Delgado. “Interest in wine is growing along with McAllen, and our business is growing every day with new people and regular customers.”

Below: Water 2 Wine Right: Bartender Max Garza at the Cine El Rey Theatre

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A

Tour for the

Taste Buds McALLEN EATERIES OFFER COLORFUL DISHES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

STORY BY JESSICA MOZO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF ADKINS

D

ining out in McAllen is like taking your taste buds on a world tour. There are standard Texas favorites such as Tex-Mex, barbecue and seafood, but what really gives this city’s dining scene flair is its locally owned eateries that specialize in cuisine from around the globe.

Sergio Luna is owner of Venetian Fine Dining, an elegant Mediterranean restaurant with an atmosphere that’s as impressive as its food.

“It has a country club look, but it feels more intimate and personal with a cozy fireplace and wide chairs where you can sit comfortably for hours,” Luna says. “We also have a piano lounge with very nice leather furniture and live piano music on weekends. Some people like to dance after dinner.”

Speaking of dinner, one of Venetian Fine Dining’s most requested entrées is the Filet Mignon Venetian, a 9-ounce filet stuffed with a rich spinach cream mixture and jumbo lump crab meat with hollandaise sauce.

“Our Paella Valenciana is also very popular,” Luna says.

“It’s a fresh seafood mix with sausage and chicken, served over saffron rice. The way we prepare it is really different, and people come to us especially for that dish.”

For a sweet ending, restaurant patrons can dig into Bananas Foster prepared tableside with a caramel reduction, dark rum and orange liqueur. Other dessert options include apple dumplings, Mexican flan, crème brûlée or Crepas a la Cajeta, consisting of delicate crepes folded with pecans and goat’s milk caramel and garnished with fresh berries and

The 9-ounce Filet Oscar is a favorite at Venetian Fine Dining.

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“I’ve met so many Japanese and Korean people and learned about their culture and cuisine.”

Rompope, a Mexican egg nog.

Luna opened Venetian Fine Dining two years ago and is planning to open a second location in December 2009, thanks to the success of the original.

“I really enjoy what we do,” Luna says. “Every time a customer tells me we have the best food in McAllen, I feel so proud of my restaurant, my chef and my employees.”

At Ichiban Sushi Restaurant, Japanese cuisine lures diners back time and again. Besides sushi, Ichiban features a changing menu and six types of “Dinner Makunochi,” or dinner plates, including chicken teriyaki, beef teriyaki, grilled snapper, spicy chicken over rice, salmon teriyaki with seaweed salad and vegetable udon soup.

“The owners are Korean, so we also offer Korean food,” says Fernanda Aguilera, manager at Ichiban Sushi Restaurant. “People really like the Dolsotbob. It’s rice and vegetables prepared on a hot stone with chicken, beef or shrimp, and it’s cooked tableside with eggs.”

The Haedupbob is another Korean dish, with white fish over rice and vegetables and a spicy sauce on the side.

“We put Korean vegetables on the plate, so it looks very colorful,” Aguilera says.

While dinner at Ichiban leans toward the formal side, lunch is casual and bargain-priced. Lunch plates include soup or salad, egg rolls and fried or steamed rice. The dessert menu features are out-of-the-ordinary creations such as rice cake ice cream, which comes in a variety of flavors including strawberry, green tea and coffee.

“It’s fun working here because I’ve met so many Japanese and Korean people and learned a lot about their culture and cuisine,” Aguilera says. “When customers come in, we always welcome them in Japanese.”

Patio on Guerra is known both for its food and for its setting. The restaurant is in the same location where three Guerra brothers established a ranching and mercantile store in 1908. Serving dishes ranging from seafood to steak and an impressive wine list, Patio on Guerra is considered one of McAllen’s finest restaurants. Outdoor dining is available and gas lanterns set a cozy scene in this upscale restaurant. Live music is booked several nights each week.

Top left: Sushi chef Hector Alaroon at Ichiban Japanese Sushi Restaurant Top right: Venetian Fine Dining owner Sergio Luna, right, and Executive Chef Eleazar Rodriguez Left: An Ichiban California roll

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Many

Shades of

Green McALLEN KEEPS ENVIRONMENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS IN THE FOREFRONT

STORY BY SUZANNE B. BOPP PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF ADKINS

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he city of McAllen is developing a reputation.

Thanks to a growing number of eco-friendly initiatives, McAllen has become an example of an environmentally aware city.

Many of these initiatives start in the Chamber of Commerce, says Nancy Millar, Vice President and Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, including a speaker series on the second Tuesday of each month that addresses issues of green living.

“The chamber also has launched a Green Hotel Certification program, to encourage hotels to use greener practices and allow them to market the strides they are taking,” she says.

“The next steps are to spread the program to other types of businesses.”

A green web site is in the works, and soon the chamber will install solar panels (donated by Green Mountain Energy), making their building a model of green practices.

This October, the chamber will host its fourth annual Green Living Festival.

Presented by Shell Exploration and

Production, the festival brings in experts to discuss subjects such as water conservation, alternative energy sources and green construction materials, and provides tips on how people can incorporate those ideas into their own lives. More than 100 vendors of green products will set up at the festival’s trade show.

The McAllen recycling center, a co-sponsor of the festival, is another source of green initiatives. One program, started in 2006, has already earned an award from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Save the Greens takes green waste – vegetables, fruits and lawn clippings – and creates compost.

“No one else in Texas is doing this, but now a number of cites are wanting to start similar programs,” says Ouina Rutledge, Renewable Resources Manager for McAllen Public Works.

So far, almost 3,000 tons of green waste have been diverted from the landfill.

The center offers the compost for sale, completing what Rutledge calls a “sustainable loop.” The center is creating

another one with glass. The city purchased a glass pulverizer and plans to partner with manufacturers to turn ground glass into building materials.

Another part of McAllen’s ecosuccess is Keep McAllen Beautiful.

Among the objectives of the program is reducing the number of plastic bags in McAllen. Along with Texas supermarket H-E-B., they distribute reusable bags instead – and of course accept the plastic bags for recycling.

Millar offers several reasons for the city’s efforts. One is to help stop climate change. Another is economics.

“Most sustainable practices save money,” she says. “Also, as America’s most popular birding destination, we get a lot of birders here. They’re sensitive to the need for environmentally sustainable practices.”

Being green makes McAllen a more attractive destination for them, and for businesses as well.

“McAllen has taken a leadership role in Texas in being more environmentally aware,” Rutledge says. “It’s exciting to be on the cutting edge.”

McAllen’s H-E-B grocery store offers reusable bags. The city’s recycling center shreds paper, collects glass and more.

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What’s Online e Learn more about McAllen’s business climate at imagesmcallen.com.

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STAFF PHOTO

Portfolio

Downtown Destination STRONG ENTERTAINMENT, RETAIL SECTOR, PUBLIC SPACES ENHANCE DOWNTOWN

In 2004, during the city’s 100th birthday celebration, McAllen officials introduced a Heart of the City initiative.

The goal of the project was to restore vitality to the historic downtown area by attracting new businesses‚ providing adequate parking‚ attracting international shoppers‚ creating new jobs and increasing property values.

The success of the initiative is evident. Consider the 17th Street Entertainment District: Thousands of people are drawn downtown each weekend to enjoy McAllen’s thriving nightlife. You can find some of the most beautifully aesthetic and exciting nightclubs and lounges within the district, which include Bellini Seven Martini Lounge, Chicago East, Chill, El Rey, Lumen Lounge, Mezzanine on

17th, The Boiler Room, The Patio on Guerra and Vice Boutique Nightclub.

Downtown McAllen’s energy extends beyond 17th Street. Examples of a revitalized look include venues like Buda Bar and House Wine that welcome a more affluent clientele, and the Chamber moved into a beautiful building along Ash Avenue.

In addition, the historic Marriott Renaissance Casa de Palmas hotel has been renovated, and Nuevo Santander Gallery now has a Mediterranean look that reflects McAllen’s history and heritage among the fine art, antiques and Old West collectibles it sells.

Other improvements throughout the downtown community include a new bus terminal, decorative lights along several downtown sidewalks and a five-

story parking garage.

Heart of the City officials point out that continued development of a strong retail sector in the downtown area will bring in even more shoppers to contribute to sales tax revenues, while a more scenic and decorative district further enhances the overall civic image. Future goals for the district include registering McAllen in the Texas Main Street Program, installing a trolley system, creating an arts culture destination, and attracting large anchor stores to support and attract new businesses and merchants.

Also, the city hopes to establish more parks and green space areas, and have more high-rise condominiums and lofts available for people looking to live in a downtown environment.

Palm trees line McAllen’s streets and help define it as part of the Texas Tropics.

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McALLEN

Making History Interesting f you have any interest in researching the city’s cultural roots, you have arrived at the right place.

History buffs and curiosity seekers can spend an engaging morning or afternoon any Tuesday through Saturday at the new McAllen Heritage Center, which opened in June 2008 on South Main Street in downtown McAllen. Since its opening, the center has become a popular facility for research.

MHC hosted a grand opening for the public March 10-14, 2009, at its location inside the La Placita Building, across from JCPenney. On display for the public to enjoy are a number of thought-provoking exhibits and research tools that detail McAllen’s long-documented history.

Specifically, the McAllen Heritage Center features works of art, documents, pictures, records and books that can help a visitor better understand the development of the area’s culture.

The hours of operation for MHC are 1-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and Saturdays 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Projects planned in the future for the center include a Traveling Trunks exhibit for schoolteachers to assist them in teaching about McAllen’s history.

The center also plans to introduce art classes for children of all ages.

MHC already plays a big part in the annual PalmFest, which is the city of McAllen’s grand folklife festival that takes place for two days in October.

Although the festival occurs primarily at the McAllen Convention Center, the Heritage Center hosts many exhibits and events during the celebration, including a Valley Rails railroad display, cultural demonstrations and artisans at work, and sales of historical and collectible items related to McAllen’s heritage.

McALLEN

JEFF ADKINS

I

McAllen Heritage Center

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Portfolio

Got Skates? Just Add Ice I

ce skating? In South Texas?

McAllen residents can stay cool all year round – even in the Texas tropics – at the Rio Grande Valley Ice Center, where skaters can hit the ice for leisure, figure skating and youth and adult hockey. The indoor rink is open year round, with public skating sessions being the main attraction.

RGV Ice Center opened in December 2005 on North 26th Street and is open seven days a week, with public

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skating hours every day. The center is especially busy on weekends, staying open until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights.

For figure skating, more than 40 children participate in lessons at RGV, and about 100 kids are enrolled in the youth hockey league. Meanwhile, the adult hockey league has eight teams.

“It’s great for families in McAllen because it’s a safe place, and it gives kids and adults another place to play

and get some exercise,” says Violet Grammer, owner of RGV Ice Center.

The center hosts a number of hockey tournaments throughout the year.

Leagues range from beginning skaters looking to play on a team in an instructional setting, to experienced hockey players looking to get out and play with others of similar caliber.

As for the 30,000-square-foot center, it features an official-size ice rink, pro shop and concessions. It’s a popular place for school field trips and private parties, and local businesses often rent the entire RGV complex for company functions.

Grammer adds that the center also gives back to the community by offering grants to kids who want to play hockey but can’t afford it. The center also hosts fundraisers, one of which raises money to buy school supplies for kids in need.

Admission to the RGV Ice Center is $7, and skate rental is $3. Groups of 10 or more qualify for a discount.

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The Sporting Life for Us I

Rio Grande Valley Vipers

f you can’t find a sports team to root for in the Rio Grande Valley, you just aren’t looking hard enough. In fact, there are teams to cheer in baseball, basketball and hockey.

The region is home to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, a team that competes in the National Basketball Association Development League. The Vipers play a 50-game schedule from late November to early April, and their home games take place at Dodge Arena.

The team is an affiliate of the NBA Houston Rockets, and the Rockets held a portion of their 2009 pre-season training camp – including an exhibition game – in the Rio Grande Valley at Dodge Arena.

Meanwhile, the Rio Grande Valley

Killer Bees is also a popular sports franchise in the region, participating in the Central Hockey League. The Killer Bees play their games from mid-October through March, with most of their contests scheduled on the weekend so that fans can conveniently attend the games.

The team also plays its home games at the 5,500-seat Dodge Arena, against opponents that include the Amarillo Gorillas, Bossier City Mudbugs, Odessa Jackalopes and Texas Brahmas.

For baseball fans, the Edinburg Roadrunners are a member of the United Baseball League, an independent professional league based in Texas. The Roadrunners play their home games throughout the spring and summer months at Edinburg Stadium.

ig-name carriers such as American and Continental airlines have long served McAllen-Miller International Airport, and so has Allegiant Air. Now, Delta Air Lines has been added to the mix to provide air-to-there service from the busy airport.

In March 2009, McAllen-Miller officials announced that Delta had been contracted to offer nonstop flights each day to and from Memphis, Tenn. Flights to the famed city of blues depart McAllen once or sometimes twice a day, with an approximate travel time of two hours and ten minutes.

“We are pleased to have Delta Air Lines in McAllen,” says Philip Brown, director of aviation for McAllen-Miller International Airport. “As McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley continue to grow, this additional air service will offer the traveling community more flexibility for travel planning, whether it be for business or leisure.”

Along with the Memphis flights, McAllen-Miller International Airport also has four daily round-trip Dallas-Ft. Worth flights, and four to Houston. There are also occasional flights booked to Las Vegas and Orlando.

The airport is located in the center of the Rio Grande Valley, only seven miles from Reynosa, Mexico, and just two miles from the center of the city of McAllen.

– Stories by Kevin Litwin

McALLEN

JEFF ADKINS

Now Boarding B

McAllen-Miller International Airport

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Business

Shopping

Spree McALLEN’S RAPID GROWTH MAKES IT A LIVELY SHOPPING HUB

STORY BY KELLY KOEPKE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF ADKINS

M

ichele Sparks, owner of Pickles & Ice Cream, loves to talk shopping, not just about the sophisticated maternity wear her boutique offers, but shopping generally in McAllen.

“McAllen truly is the center of shopping in the Rio Grande Valley,” says Sparks. She specifically located her store, open for two years, in the Trenton View shopping center because it is north of McAllen’s traditional retail areas. “McAllen’s population is growing, and it’s growing north. There’s more retail going in, especially near the

new women’s hospital. They deliver 700 babies a month there!”

Trenton View’s location at the major intersection of 10th Street and Trenton, is in one of the fastest-growing areas of McAllen. Sparks’ neighbors include Cold Stone Creamery, Starbucks, Learning Express and upscale jewelry store James Avery. Much of the appeal of the complex, she says, is the doorfront parking.

Traveling east on Trenton, The Shoppes at Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg feature the No. 1 new JCPenney store in the country, as well as international beauty retailer

Chelsi Smith arranges items at Jessica’s, a children’s clothing store.

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Business

Sephora. The Shoppes will eventually be home to 12 national anchor retailers, entertainment, restaurants and more.

This new development follows and anticipates population growth.

According to the U.S. Census, by 2010 McAllen’s population is projected to exceed 132,000, while the larger metropolitan area will grow to an estimated 750,000. Between July 1, 2000, and July 1, 2007, the population

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grew by almost 25 percent.

This increase, which includes those babies as well as retirees attracted by the mild weather and low cost of living, means McAllen’s retail sales are strong. In fact, the area rings up twice the national average in retail sales, even in slow economic times. Many shoppers come from Mexico and spend three times the national average.

Everyone’s attracted by the international

brands, high-end department stores and local boutiques.

Much of the buying takes place at La Plaza Mall, which annually attracts more than 18 million visitors. Many of La Plaza’s national department stores, like Dillard’s and Macy’s, and sought-after retailers (of which BCBG-Max Azria and Coach are two), average sales of more than $650 per square foot, among the most profitable stores in their chains.

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La Plaza’s new sister, Palms Crossing comprises an almost half-amillion-square-foot lifestyle center cluster of restaurants, big-box anchors and specialty retailers. Open since 2007, Palms Crossing’s appeal is its open-air design: lots of palm trees, water fountains, and seating areas with music and lighting. It’s like being on vacation while shopping, though the mall is centrally located next to the

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McAllen Convention Center on the US 83 Expressway.

“We have a similar customer base in both malls,” says Irma Castor, area mall manager for Simon Property Group, owner of both shopping magnets. “We pull from all the surrounding communities, but also from Northern Mexico. Most shoppers are local, and more than a third come from Mexico. Everyone is attracted

because of the well-known brands we offer. McAllen is a big tourist destination because of our shopping, which we’re always striving to improve by bringing in more national brands.”

Top name stores are located at La Plaza Mall and the Palms Crossing shopping center.

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Business

Biz Briefs BUSINESSES – BOTH LARGE AND SMALL – THAT HELP DEFINE McALLEN’S ECONOMIC CLIMATE

Scorecard BUSINESS AT A GLANCE

$3.5 billion Retail Sales

$27,496 Retail Sales Per Capita

$82,819 Retail Sales Per Household

$349 Per Capita Sales Tax Collections Source: mcallen.org

PORTILLO JEWELERS Biz: jewelry Buzz: A family-owned business dedicated to customer relationships. The “Portillo Promise” is a policy that offers free repair, cleanings, sizing and resetting of damaged stones. In addition, Portillo allows customers to trade in any diamond purchased for one of equal or greater value for the lifetime of the piece. www.portillojewelry.com 30

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McALLEN

QUISQUEYA Biz: restaurant and bakery Buzz: This restaurant specializes in authentic Dominican cakes and cuisine.

It’s popular dishes include the plantain as a main ingredient. Quisqueya won the “Best Dessert” category at the Chamber’s International Food Festival. Delicious desserts served here include flans made with guava and coconut milk. www.quisqueyabakeryand restaurant.com HOUSE. WINE. Biz: fine furnishing and fine wine Buzz: An analogy relating a fine Bordeaux to antique furnishings led to the development of this interesting business concept. house. wine. ties the two together in a business that is both a tasting room and a showroom.

Customers are invited to test and taste, and fill their house and wine cellar with their choices. www.housewinemcallen.com McALLEN SPORTS Biz: trophies, plaques, awards Buzz: Whatever the occasion, McAllen Sports has a means to recognize it.

From sports trophies to paperweights, the company has a vast selection of products that can be engraved and presented to teams, retirees, employees, political leaders, etc. The selection ranges from etched lead crystal vases to embossed blue ribbons. www.mcallensports.com TAGLEROCK TECHNOLOGIES Biz: website design, computer maintenance, file storage Buzz: The company provides commercial computer consulting services, including networking, server administration, phone/VOIP services, e-mail spam protections and web filtering services, as well as technology assessments and custom application development. TagleRock, owned by Christopher and Angela Tagle, has provided IT solutions to customers in the Rio Grande Valley since 2002. www.taglerock.com McALLEN

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Business | Chamber Report

The Bottom Line McALLEN CHAMBER SMALL BUSINESS SERVICES ADD VALUE AND CREATE WEALTH

I

t’s the bottom line that counts with the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, and the assistance the Chamber provides to regional small businesses is helping its 1,750 members see black.

“We focus on creating wealth and adding value,” says Steve Ahlenius, president and CEO of the Chamber for the past 12 years. “If we can do those two things for our members, we’re going to be successful.”

That’s more than just chamberspeak, as the McAllen Chamber has created grants programs, small business competitions, hands-on counseling strategies and matchmaking services that are making a difference for Chamber members.

“Three things we focus on at the Chamber are creativity, entrepreneurship and innovation,” Ahlenius says. “That’s our over-arching theme with the Chamber. The board,

several years ago, determined that we needed to start setting aside resources to help fund these things. We have put funding into it with small business and innovation grants.”

Each year, the Chamber awards up to five $10,000 innovation grants.

The newest competitive grant program awards one established small business up to $25,000. Candidates submit a business plan that is reviewed by a fivemember panel, requesting a specific amount and fully justifying the request.

John Nix was presented the first small business grant award, which was used to develop a Web site for his business, Water 2 Wine, a micro-winery where customers can make their own wine and create their own labels, or buy wines that Nix and his staff develop.

“The funding from the Chamber helped us gain awareness from the community and served as a catalyst to

get us up and running in the early stages,” Nix says. “The programs the Chamber provides have really helped us and other businesses.”

The Chamber dedicates several of its 25 staff members to small business counseling. “They know how to do business counseling, and they work with Chamber members on issues affecting their businesses,” Ahlenius says, adding that the Chamber also works with the local community college on small business competitions, awarding almost $2,000 a year for submitted business plans.

“Our board is committed to this,” he says. “They recognize that 90 percent of our members are small businesses.

For us, it’s the sweet spot. It’s where our focus needs to be and where our board is committing resources. We want our programs to foster those who want to start a business, so we’re growing our own. That’s how we’re going to create jobs. We love to get those companies that will bring 250 jobs, but those are few and far between.”

– Betsy Williams

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801 N. Main 1906 E. Tyler, Ste. B P.O. Box 1630 P.O. Box 1830 McAllen, TX 78501 Harlingen, TX 78550 (956) 682-2841 (956) 423-8755 Fax: (956) 630-4015 Fax: (956) 423-0730 (800) 446-2471 (888) 423-8755 www.shepardwaltonking.com

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JEFF ADKINS

“You’ll Like the Way We Do Business”

The board of directors for the McAllen Chamber of Commerce

McALLEN

Business | Economic Profile

McALLEN ECONOMIC OVERVIEW The McAllen MSA was ranked first in Forbes 2009 best mid-sized cities for jobs. McAllen was ranked second in the nation for income growth and first for job growth in 2009.

McAllen Express Transit 1500 W. Business Highway 83 McAllen, Texas 78501 (956) 688-3500 McAllen/Hidalgo International Bridge 1023 International Blvd.

Hidalgo, Texas 78557 (956) 843-2471 www.mcallen.net/bridge

TAXES

2% City Sales and Use Tax

6.25% State Sales Tax

8.25% Total Sales Tax

TRANSPORTATION McAllen-Miller International Airport 2500 S. Bicentennial Blvd.

McAllen, Texas 78503 (956) 682-9101 www.mcallenairport.com

McAllen Economic Development Corporation 6401 S. 33rd St. McAllen, Texas 78503 (956) 682-2875 www.medc.org McAllen Heart of the City

Greyhound/Valley Transit Company (956) 686-5479 www.valleytransitcompany.com www.greyhound.com

220 S. 17th St. McAllen, Texas 78501 (956) 686-4357 www.mcallenheartofthecity.com

MORE EO ON ONLINE imagesmcallen.com mcall

Amtrak www.amtrak.com

More facts, stats and community information, including relocation tools and links to resources.

ECONOMIC RESOURCES McAllen Chamber of Commerce 1200 Ash Ave. McAllen, Texas 78501 (956) 682-2871 www.mcallenchamber.com McAllen Convention & Visitors’ Bureau (945) 682-2871 www.mcallencvb.com

,((*$8 E% ('k_ Jk% DZ8cc\e# KO ./,'+ 0,-%--/%',,, 0,-%--/%',(, =Xo An independently owned and operated franchise

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Photo Essay

A

Natural

Treasure in the Texas Tropics QUINTA MAZATLAN FOSTERS FLORA AND FAUNA

Q

uinta Mazatlan is a study in unexpected contrasts. It’s a 10,000-square-foot mansion whose name means “country estate,” yet its neighbors include the airport and the mall.

As a 1930’s hacienda, it’s a piece of South Texas history that serves as a unique conference and events center, as well as a birding and nature destination.

Quinta Mazatlan embodies the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture of arches and beams and carvings, set in formal tropical landscaping, even while much of its 15-acre setting remains wild.

It’s an island of calm where people say hello to nature, and nature whistles back.

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Quinta Mazatlan is a living classroom that disguises education as fun. It had been the home of just two families during the 60 years before the City of McAllen purchased it.

Since 1998, city leaders have worked to transform the mansion and its grounds to encourage flora, fauna and folks to enjoy one another’s company. It’s part of the World Birding Center, a group of distinct habitats along the Rio Grande Valley’s bird migration flyway.

McALLEN

ANTONY BOSHIER

JEFF ADKINS

A LIVING CLASSROOM

What’s Online e Tour the World Birding Center in our quick online video at imagesmcallen.com.

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ANTONY BOSHIER

Photo Essay

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PHOTOS BY JEFF ADKINS

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PHOTOS BY JEFF ADKINS

Photo Essay

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McALLEN

What’s Online e Get a peek inside Quinta Mazatlan in our quick online video at imagesmcallen.com.

McALLEN

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Health & Wellness

Young at Heart RIO GRANDE REGIONAL PERFORMS VALLEY’S FIRST PEDIATRIC OPEN HEART SURGERY

W

hether young or old, when it comes to health care, the medical facilities in McAllen get right to the heart of it.

The Valley’s first pediatric openheart surgery was performed in 2009 at Rio Grande Regional Hospital’s Pediatric Pavilion, when surgeons performed an atrial septal defect closure procedure on a 3-year-old.

“We have the only pediatric cardiovascular program in the Valley in South Texas,” says Greg Seiler, Rio Grande Regional Hospital CEO. “The fact that these types of complex surgical procedures are beginning to be performed on children in the Valley exemplifies that advanced health care is available close to home.”

Seiler explains that the advanced

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cardiac care provided to children takes the burden off families during a traumatic time.

“The residents of the Valley no longer have to travel as far as two hours away for these services,” Seiler says.

“It’s traumatic enough that your young child has to have a cardiac procedure, whether it’s open heart surgery or a catheterization. Parents would have to pack up and travel, leaving behind the family support group, church support and other help during stressful times, and go to an unfamiliar environment.

Because of the level of professional services offered through our hospital, they no longer have to do that.”

With 66 beds, a pediatric ICU (under the direction of Dr. Krishna Turlapati) and a Pediatric Step-Down Unit, the

Pediatric Pavilion is also undertaking procedures such as cochlear implants and electrophysiology.

“Our pediatric ICU is 14 beds, staffed with a very strong group of board-certified specialists,” says Kathy Dassler, chief nursing officer, noting that members of the pediatric heart team received specialized hands-on training with San Antonio’s Methodist Children’s Hospital of South Texas.

“The collaborative efforts of Methodist and their willingness to share their expertise with us have helped the preparation process to run smoothly,” she says.

Rio Grande is a 320-bed, full-service acute-care hospital, with more than 500 physicians representing 35 specialties on staff, and it provides the community with the only Accredited Diabetes Management Center.

The community’s longest-operating health care facility is McAllen Medical Center, which opened in 1919. Today, this thriving facility, with 441 beds, offers a broad range of communityfocused services provided by a medical staff that includes more than 400 physicians representing more than 50 medical specialties.

Also serving McAllen is the 506-bed Doctors Hospital at Renaissance, which was named to the 2008 list of the 100 Top Hospitals for the nation by Thomson Reuters, one of the major sources of health-care business intelligence providing an independent study. The hospital has a medical staff of more than 500 physicians covering a broad spectrum of medical and surgical services, including outpatient diagnostic services, cardiology and pediatric oncology services.

– Betsy Williams McALLEN

Arts & Culture

Music with a Mission SYMPHONY ENRICHES LOCAL CULTURE

F

or more than 50 years, the Valley Symphony Orchestra has stayed true to its mission of inspiring the community with quality performances and educational programs.

The symphony will present a dozen concerts over the course of the 2009-10 season at various locations across the Rio Grande Valley. The shows embody a variety of different musical genres and themes.

“The music performed by the symphony represents times and places that span generations from around the world,” says Fawn Foudray-Golich, community development director for the symphony. “The symphony performs great music from each generation, including contemporary and Latin music,” she says.

One of the most popular events is the holiday concert that is held each December. This concert, which features the Valley Symphony Chorale, typically sells out. “It is a great start to the holiday season and has become a tradition for many Valley families,” Foudray-Golich says.

The symphony musicians get involved with the community by

performing regularly at assisted living, rehabilitation and hospital facilities. “For those who can’t attend evening performances, the in-facility ensembles help lighten spirits,” Foudray-Golich says.

In addition to sharing the gift of music with the community, the symphony also reaches out to area youth through music education.

The Valley Symphony Orchestra sponsors the South Texas Youth Symphony, which is composed of 75 high school and middle school musicians from across the region.

“The youth symphony allows student musicians to study with the VSO’s maestro, Peter Dabrowski, and perform at a high level with a full orchestra,” Foudray-Golich says.

“Student musicians develop selfdiscipline, artistic expression and leadership skills.”

The youth symphony rehearses weekly throughout the school year to prepare for two concert performances held in January and May. Youth symphony musicians who perform with the youth symphony during their senior year of high school are eligible for

college scholarships provided by the Valley Symphony Orchestra.

One of the Valley Symphony Orchestra’s newest programs is geared toward even younger students. The Success Thru Strings program, launched in 2008, gives first-graders the opportunity to study the violin.

“This program is designed to make violin lessons available to local students regardless of family income,” FoudrayGolich says. “Young children learn very quickly. It is age appropriate and fun.

Through a weekly private lesson and group lessons, they learn how to play a very difficult instrument, with great technique.”

The symphony sponsors many other educational opportunities such as concerts held for area elementary students, classes and workshops with symphony artists, and they provide concert tickets to students for little or no cost.

“The symphony is a vital part of our community,” Foudray-Golich says.

“Each concert and program is designed to inspire audience members, students and musicians alike.”

– Laura Gallagher

Valley Symphony Orchestra

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Hometown Valley banking. style.

The Valley. There’s no other place in Texas quite like it. At Border Capital Bank, we understand that. It’s our home, our history and our reason for being. Unlike larger financial institutions that can spread themselves too thin, we have just one simple purpose – to serve the families and businesses of the Valley like nobody else. If that sounds like the kind of hometown treatment you’re looking for, we want to be your bank.

s WWW BORDERCAPITALBANK COM

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McALLEN

Sports & Recreation

Right on Course McALLEN’S PRIVATE AND PUBLIC COURSES MEAN YEAR-ROUND GOLF

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Wherever you play in McAllen, be prepared for a bustling round, especially on weekends.

“November through March, every course is packed, even in the middle of the week,” says Flores. “That’s when the Winter Texans arrive. They stay two to three months and play lots of golf.

Our winter highs in the 70s are perfect golf weather.”

Though the daytime temperature in summer can approach the century

mark, the weather’s not as humid as Florida. The constant Gulf of Mexico breezes keep things relatively cool on the fairways and greens.

“McAllen’s growing fast,” says Flores. “As more people come, they’ll want to play more golf.”

With nearly 20 private and public courses in the McAllen area, including resort style, nine-hole and other championship courses, golfers won’t be disappointed.

– Kelly Koepke

JEFF ADKINS

olfers looking for a mild climate and exceptional golf courses find what they want in McAllen.

Palm View, an 18-hole, links-style facility owned by the City of McAllen, offers a par-72 championship challenge and is one of the only courses in the area with contoured, undulating fairways. The championship tees turn the links into a challenging 6,771 yards, with the middle tees tendering a moderate 5,779-yard play. The course hosted the Ladies Professional Golf Association’s Duramed Futures Golf Classic in 2008 and expects to welcome it again in the future.

“Fourteen of the holes have water, and our renovation several years ago added many trees. With our great customer service, we get players around quickly,” says Rex Flores, golf professional at Palm View Golf Course since 2000. “Our driving range has three levels and is double ended, so there’s a lot of opportunity to hit a bucket here, even if you don’t play a round. And our fees are great for such a playable course.”

Golfers enjoy McAllen’s private courses, too. The McAllen Country Club opened its current 18-hole, fast greens course in 1968. No matter the skill of the golfer, the club’s traditional, wellmaintained tree-lined fairways mean an outstanding experience. Amenities include a fully stocked golf shop, locker rooms, full bag storage, tennis, swimming and a restaurant.

The South Padre Island Golf Club is also a favorite of McAllen golfers.

Enveloped by nature, the holes work around the Laguna Madre, just a few miles from the Gulf. The course includes water features on half the holes, plus wetlands and high grass.

In nearby Mission, The Club at Cimarron, another private club, features a Dave Bennet-designed course. Flores says that Cimarron and Palm View share similar demographics of golfers because of Cimarron’s affordable membership rates.

Tommy Barera works on his chip shot at Palm View Golf Course.

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McALLEN

JEFF ADKINS

Education

South Texas College

Higher Learning Within Reach NEW McALLEN TEACHING SITE OFFERS 12 GRADUATE LEVEL COURSES

T

he University of Texas-Pan American is making it easier than ever for McAllen residents to earn graduate degrees.

In June 2009, Edinburg-based UTPA partnered with the City of McAllen to establish a UTPA McAllen Teaching Site, and classes began there in August 2009.

“UTPA needed better access for students coming from other areas, particularly graduate students coming to classes after work,” says Dr. Cynthia Brown, vice provost for graduate studies at UTPA. “The City of McAllen also had identified a need for upper level education in the region.”

Having the center in McAllen helps attract and retain businesses by creating a well-trained and educated workforce.

You might say the result was a match made in college heaven.

“Everyone is so excited. The grand opening was well attended by faculty, deans and city leaders,” Brown says.

“We’re so thrilled to kick this off. The classrooms are very smart, with interactive video capability so students can see what’s going on in a room all the way across campus.”

More than 200 students signed up for classes as soon as the UTPA McAllen Teaching Site opened. The center opened offering 12 graduate-level courses in the colleges of education, business administration, arts and humanities, and science and engineering.

“We’re focusing on business professionals and offering a new certificate in business administration. It will allow students to hone their overall skills in business education, or

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it can serve as a stepping stone into the MBA program if you choose,” Brown says. “We’re also using the McAllen site for our English Institute. It consists of eight levels, and we’re putting the higher levels in McAllen.”

Other plans for the McAllen Teaching Site call for professional-development courses, certification training classes, SAT and GRE prep courses, and other continuingeducation courses demanded by the community or identified by local government and businesses as important to maintaining a competitive workforce.

“UTPA hasn’t had a comprehensive, professional continuing-education program for years because of lack of space. We have the highest utilization of classroom space of any Texas university,” Brown explains. “The McAllen site will be great for continuing-education classes like Ethics for Lawyers that haven’t had a permanent home.”

The 10,000-square-foot facility has eight classrooms and is located on South Main Street along Eastbound Frontage Expressway 83 in the Main Place Shopping Center adjacent to La Plaza Mall. While UTPA is leasing the current site, the university plans to evaluate the possibility of establishing a permanent site in McAllen by 2012.

“This is a great first step with the City of McAllen,” Brown says. “It clearly will lay out a wonderful partnership moving forward.”

– Jessica Mozo I M AG E S M C A L L E N . C O M

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Community Profile

McALLEN COMMUNITY OVERVIEW McAllen is an area with a burgeoning arts culture. The city is known statewide for the quality and quantity of its artists.

CLIMATE OVERVIEW McAllen has a semi-tropical climate, with an average annual temperature of 74 degrees. Its mild winters and temperate summers make it a perfect destination for both tourists and retirees.

49 F January Low Temperature

70 F January High Temperature

75 F July Low Temperature

97 F

program that allows students to earn college credit and an international diploma. South Texas College is the first college in Texas to earn the National Institute of Metalworking Skills Accreditation for its precision manufacturing technology program. The University of Texas’ Pan American regional biotech program in clinical laboratory sciences operates the only mobile biotechnology laboratory in the state, and is one of only three in the United States. UTPA offers a Ph.D. in business administration with an emphasis in international business, one of six such degree programs in the United States. McAllen has had three of its schools rank among the best public schools in Texas.

rehabilitation treatment and many outpatient services.

South Texas Health System includes McAllen Medical Center, Edinburg Regional Medical Center, The Rehabilitation Pavilion, McAllen Medical Center Cancer Institute, McAllen Medical Behavioral Health Center, Rehabilitation Institute of McAllen and McAllen Heart Hospital.

MORE EO ON ONLINE imagesmcallen.com ll More facts, stats and community information, including relocation tools and links to resources.

MEDICAL SERVICES OVERVIEW

July High Temperature

EDUCATIONAL OVERVIEW The McAllen Independent School District offers an International Baccalaureate

The McAllen area has five fullservice hospitals, four imaging centers, one mental health hospital, two wellness centers, three cancer treatment centers, industrial medicine,

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Services: Sunday – 8 a.m., 10 a.m. & 11:40 a.m.

Wednesday – 7 p.m., Adult & Youth En Español: Domingo – 10 a.m. & 11:40 a.m.

Jueves – 7 p.m.

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I M AG E S M C A L L E N . C O M

McAllen Independent School District www.mcallenisd.net McAllen International Airport www.mcallenairport.com McAllen Produce Terminal www.mcallenwarehouse.com Rio Grande Regional Hospital www.riogranderegionalhospital.com Shepard Walton King www.shepardwaltonking.com South Texas College www.southtexascollege.edu

Family Physicians Clinic LLP www.familyphysiciansclinic.com

South Texas Health System www.southtexashealthsystem.com

Magic Valley Electric Cooperative www.magicvalley.coop

The Family Church www.tfcmcallen.com

McAllen Economic Development Corporation www.medc.org

Valley International Airport www.flythevalley.com

McALLEN