29th Annual Mission Community Health & Wellness Fair Set for December 5th & 6th



MISSION, TX - The Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Mission Regional Medical Center and the City of Mission, is excited to announce the 29th Annual Mission Community Health & Wellness Fair, scheduled for December 5th & 6th, 2024, from 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Mission Event Center, located at 200 N. Shary Road, Mission, Texas.

This event, free and open to the public, will provide a variety of essential health services, including:

• Flu Vaccines
• QuantaFlo Test
• Blood Pressure Checks
• Strength Tests
• Stroke Risk Assessments
• Medication Reviews
• Bone Density Tests
• And more!

With a focus on promoting community health and well-being, the fair offers residents and visitors a chance to access important health screenings and information at no cost.

"We are blessed to host this annual wellness event that brings vital health resources directly to our community and free of charge," said Brenda Enriquez, President & CEO of the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce. "In collaboration with our partners, we’re ensuring our residents have access to healthcare; a healthy community is a healthy and booming economy."

Local businesses and organizations interested in participating as vendors are encouraged to contact candace@missionchamber.com for more information.

For further details, please call 956-585-2727 or email gmcc@missionchamber.com.

Anzalduas International Bridge Sees Record Growth in FY24 as it Prepares for Cargo Traffic in 2025

Texas Border Business | Roberto Hugo Gonzalez

MISSION, TX - The Anzalduas International Bridge, located in Mission, Texas, has posted record-breaking growth in FY24, with a significant rise in both passenger vehicle and truck crossings. This surge in traffic comes as the bridge prepares to expand its role in international trade by allowing cargo trucks to cross both northbound and southbound, starting in early 2025.

In FY24, approximately 1.6 million non-commercial vehicles ventured southbound across the bridge, with a similar number estimated to have traveled northbound. This marks a 15% increase over FY23, reflecting the growing importance of the bridge as a critical link between the Rio Grande Valley and key cities in Mexico, such as Monterrey and Mexico City. “The increase in vehicle crossings demonstrates the growing demand for efficient and direct routes for travelers and businesses alike,” said Teclo Garcia, Chief Executive Officer of the Mission Economic Development Corporation (Mission EDC). “The Anzalduas International Bridge continues to be the most direct, safe, and efficient route for these vital connections.”

Although federal truck inspection facilities are still under construction and expected to be complete by Spring 2025, the bridge already supports southbound crossings for empty trucks. Truck traffic saw a notable 22% increase in FY24, with approximately 1,000 trucks crossing each week. “That’s a significant number, especially considering the facilities aren’t even fully operational yet. Once completed, that number could double, triple, or even more,” Garcia noted. “We owe much appreciation to our bridge partner, the City of McAllen, for their leadership and heavy lifting, as well as our federal partners on both sides of the border for their outstanding work in helping us reach this point.”

The Anzalduas International Bridge, which officially opened on December 15, 2009, has long been a strategic asset for the region, reducing travel times by up to 45 minutes for those traveling between the Rio Grande Valley and major Mexican cities. Its role is set to expand significantly as it begins to accommodate loaded trucks in February 2025. “This new capability will provide a competitive advantage for binational trade,” Garcia explained. “Trucks will be able to cross in both directions between Reynosa, Tamaulipas, and Mission, Texas, which will further enhance the region’s standing as a hub for international commerce.”

The bridge’s ongoing expansion, which began in December 2022, will allow for the crossing of loaded trucks, offering businesses a new, efficient crossing point between the U.S. and Mexico. By the first quarter of 2024, the expansion project was 42% complete, with wide lanes and a new customs area being developed to streamline the inspection process for cargo. “From the start, the goal of this project has been to boost the region’s competitiveness, giving companies more options for transporting goods across the border,” said Garcia. “We are creating the infrastructure necessary to support increased trade and economic development on both sides of the border.”

The economic benefits of this expansion extend beyond just the increase in crossings. The introduction of cargo trucks will also create new opportunities for logistics infrastructure development. Storage and transportation facilities are expected to emerge on both sides of the border, supporting the growing flow of goods. “The crossing of loaded trucks will open up a range of possibilities for businesses involved in cross-border trade,” added Garcia. “We’re improving transportation efficiency and driving new investment in the region’s logistics and warehousing sectors.”

As the Anzalduas International Bridge continues to grow, its impact on the regional economy and binational trade is set to expand even further. With its ability to soon accommodate cargo trucks and the continued growth in passenger vehicle crossings, the bridge is poised to become an even more vital component of the trade infrastructure between the U.S. and Mexico.

“We’re excited about the future of the bridge and the opportunities it will create for both sides of the border,” Garcia concluded. “Our efforts are paying off, and the best is yet to come.”

MISSION, TX - The Center for Women Entrepreneurs (CWE) at Texas Woman’s University is celebrating the success of six dynamic women business owners who have completed the AccelerateHER Mission program. 

Facilitated by the CWE, the program culminated Sept. 24 in an exciting final pitch event where each participant demonstrated how their business stands out in its respective industry.

AccelerateHER Mission 2024 program participants were:

Liliana Uriza, Alpha Beauty

Natalie Garza, Con Ganas Mija, LLC

Perla Leo, Thrive Valley Counseling, PLLC

Christie Gonzalez, InnerSpark Performing Arts

Iris Sanchez, Impress Genius LLC

Dr. Esther Akindayomi, Soul Touch

The AccelerateHER program provided a comprehensive curriculum covering essential topics such as business plan development, marketing, legal considerations, accounting, and financial planning. Participants completed their financial statements along with three-year growth projections, positioning their businesses for future success.

“It is truly inspiring to witness the dedication and growth of each participant,” said Tracy Irby, CWE director.

Here are some comments from Mission program participants:

“The impact this experience has had on my growth as an entrepreneur is profound.”

“The TWU CWE has done an amazing job preparing a curriculum tailored to the needs of women, and the speakers they've selected are excellent.”

“The TWU CWE has created an inclusive and welcoming environment in the AccelerateHER program. I leave these sessions with my brain buzzing all night!”

About the Center for Women Entrepreneurs

The Center for Women Entrepreneurs is a program of the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership at Texas Woman’s University. The institute is dedicated to preparing more women to take on successful roles in business and public service. Its three specialized centers ensure women have the education to establish careers as successful executives, the skills for building entrepreneurial businesses, and the framework needed to run for public office.

Exciting times for the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce! This month, we held our first meeting focused on Legislative Advocacy for our GMCC members. We were honored to connect with the teams of Senator Chuy Hinojosa and State Representative Sergio Munoz, Jr. to begin planning for Mission Days in Austin.

These meetings are key to representing our community's interests at the state level, ensuring the voices of our local businesses and residents are heard.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this important journey! Together, we’re building a stronger future for Mission.

🚀 Ready to level up your leadership skills? Join us for an interactive session led by Dr. Orlando Buentello, an alum of Our Lady of the Lake University and expert in Leadership & Organizational Development! 🌟

This session is designed to help businesses and organizations lead effectively, coach teams for success, reduce job turnover, and set goals that get results! Through practical exercises and real conversations, you’ll walk away with the tools to build a united, high-performing team. 💼👥

📅 Date: November 13th

🕒 Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

📍 Location: Mission CEED Building, 801 N. Bryan Rd., Mission, TX

💼 FREE for GMCC Members (Lunch provided!)

Register now by emailing candace@missionchamber.com to secure your spot!

A warm welcome to our newest members of the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce for 2024!

We are excited to have you as part of our growing business community and look forward to supporting your success. Together, we’ll continue to foster innovation, collaboration, and growth in Mission! Let’s make 2024 an extraordinary year!

More information on these businesses can be found on our website missionchamber.com

🚨 New Episode Out Now! 🚨

The latest episode of Commerce Conversation is here! 🎉 Tim Brown sits down with Cynthia Lopez, Director of the Mission Historical Museum, to explore the rich history of Mission, Texas. 🌟

Don’t miss this insightful journey into the stories that shaped our community!

🎧 Subscribe and listen on:

🔗 YouTube

🔗 Spotify

🔗 Apple Podcasts

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Coffee, Croissants, & Commerce with Pete Jaramillo Insurance! ☕🥐 Your participation made the event a success, and we hope you walked away with valuable insights on health care insurance updates and enrollment options for small businesses and individuals.

We loved seeing our local business community come together to learn, connect, and grow! 💼✨ Stay tuned for more events and opportunities to engage.

We are excited to announce that 1st Street is officially open! This month, we hosted a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony to celebrate the completion of this project, now connecting Glasscock and Shary Roads. 🚗

With over 60 residential lots planned along the new road, this development marks a key milestone in Mission’s growth, bringing more homes and vibrant communities to the area. 🏡

A big thank you to the Mission TIRZ, the City of Mission, and Dolly Elizondo for their support in making this possible. We look forward to more growth and opportunities ahead!

The Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce was a proud Grape level sponsor of Empty Bowls 2024, presented by H-E-B Hunger Relief. Our contribution provided up to 2,500 meals to those facing hunger in our community. 🧡🍽

Thank you to all the sponsors for joining us in supporting the Food Bank RGV, which works year-round to combat food insecurity across the Rio Grande Valley. Your generosity made a real difference in helping families in need. 

Exciting news from the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce! 🎉 This month, we held our first-ever Chamber Champion Quarterly Meeting, kicking off an exciting journey for our Chamber Ambassadors and the business community.

A big thank you to the Hampton Inn for hosting and providing a fantastic lunch! 🍽️ We’re grateful to our dedicated Ambassadors for their commitment and energy in shaping the future of our program. 🤝

This is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to see what’s next for our Chamber Champions as we continue to support and grow local businesses!

A huge congratulations to Taqueria Oviedo on celebrating 21 incredible years in the City of Mission! 🌮🎈 This month's ribbon-cutting ceremony was a wonderful way to honor this milestone for such a beloved local business. We are so proud to have them as part of our community!

A special thank you to Commissioner Everardo "Ever" Villarreal and Jessica Ortega Mission City Councilwoman for joining us to celebrate this achievement. 🙌 Your support means the world to us and the Oviedo family.

To the Oviedo family, thank you for your dedication to serving our community with delicious food and warm hospitality. Here’s to many more years of success! 

Congratulations to Texas Health Care Imaging on their successful Ribbon Cutting Ceremony! We’re excited to welcome this outstanding team to Mission. With state-of-the-art technology and a commitment to quality care, they’re bringing top-tier imaging services to our community at 909 Business Park Drive. 📍

On behalf of the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce, we warmly welcome Texas Health Care Imaging and look forward to the positive impact they’ll have on our community’s health. Here's to a bright future together!

Hey Mission! We're now on TikTok and would love to promote your business! Follow us on our TikTok page @DiscoverMissionTx and email us a Mission business to candace@missionchamber.com so we may schedule a visit!

Our first TikTok video has over 160k views and counting. This is an excellent way to promote your services while encouraging tourists to #DiscoverMission.