Harlingen Economic Development Corporation

10/20/2026

🎃 Big ideas, local resources, and a little October fun in Harlingen! 🍬 Join us on Thursday, October 29th, for 'Let’s Get Down to Business!'

Whether you’re dreaming of opening a storefront, ready to grow your business, or simply exploring what’s possible, come connect with key city departments and community partners to discover the resources, guidance, and support available to help your business thrive.

✨ Stop by when it works for you! This is a come-and-go event, so come by the Harlingen Convention Center anytime from 5:30pm-8:30pm.

👻 Costumes are welcome, and candy will be available! Bring the kids along while exploring opportunities to start, grow, and invest in Harlingen’s business community.

📆 Thursday, October 29 | 5:30-8:30pm
📍 701 Harlingen Heights Drive
🎟️ Free Event! RSVP: https://forms.gle/B3Mn1agJnY8zFXKMA

10/14/2026

🎉 Congratulations, Garver, on the ribbon-cutting of your new Water Design Center in the City of Harlingen! Since 2017, your team has continued to make a meaningful impact in our community through high-quality engineering careers and continued investment here.

This facility reflects an exceptional workplace with competitive, high-paying jobs and impressive amenities designed to support the people who make your success possible. And serving as the cornerstone of a larger mixed-use development, it’s a catalyst for all the great things to come to this area!

From identifying the right location to connecting your team with incentives that helped make this investment possible, we’re proud to have played a role in helping bring this project to life. It’s rewarding to see collaboration turn into new opportunities, continued growth, and a stronger local economy.

Congratulations again on this exciting milestone, and thank you for choosing Harlingen! 👏🏢

Read more: https://bit.ly/47RIBln

10/09/2026

Our Small Business Advisory Committee gathered at The Roadhouse Blues for our monthly Plate It Forward initiative! ❤️🤠

We believe strong communities start with showing up, shopping local, and supporting the businesses that give our community its unique flavor. We had a great time showing love to The Roadhouse Blues, while enjoying delicious pizza from Mikey's Pizza & Shots. Thank you to everyone who joined us!

Address for The Roadhouse Blues
📍 712 N 77 Sunshine Strip #34, Harlingen

Save the date for next month’s Plate it Forward event at Mesquite Valley Smokehouse! 🍗
📆 Thursday, November 12
📍 105 W Tyler Ave, Harlingen

10/09/2026

🚀 Ready to turn your business idea into something real? Meet STARTUP PATHWAY, a program designed to help you move from idea to action, turning your concept into a strong, sustainable venture.

Powered by the Kauffman FastTrac curriculum, Startup Pathway provides practical tools, expert guidance, and a supportive environment to build a solid foundation for your business.

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to sharpen your business practices, this weekly, 7-session program is a great next step. The Harlingen EDC will be selecting 10 candidates to participate at no cost!

📆 APPLY NOW! The deadline to be considered is October 25, 2026. Apply here: bit.ly/4hoN8Bo

Improving the quality of life in Harlingen, TX through the creation of wealth, jobs and investment.🌟

10/08/2026

It’s true! Starbucks is bringing a new location to the intersection of N 77 Sunshine Strip & N 13th St in Harlingen. 🏗️☕️

Take a look at the conceptual rendering! While the finished product could look a little different, the investment will enhance the property's appearance and contribute to the revitalization and momentum happening throughout the area.

Construction is underway, and we're excited to see it take shape! What else would you like to see in this area? 💬🌟

📍Intersection of N 77 Sunshine Strip & N 13th St

10/08/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday to our Office Manager, MaryAnn Villarreal!

From keeping things running smoothly to always being ready to lend a hand, MaryAnn does so much behind the scenes to support our team and our work. Her dedication, helpful spirit, and willingness to do whatever it takes makes a difference each and every day.

MaryAnn, we’re so grateful for you, and we're wishing you a lovely day! 🎂

10/07/2026

HAPPENING TOMORROW! ⭐️ Join our Small Business Advisory Committee for a fun evening out with a purpose!

We’ll be gathering at The Roadhouse Blues , enjoying pizza from Mikey’s Pizza & Shots, and paying it forward to help support the small businesses that make our community thrive. 🍕🍻

We invite YOU to come buy a drink and enjoy some great local food while taking part in our monthly Plate it Forward initiative. See you there! 🫶

📆 Thursday, October 8 | 5:30-6:30pm
📍 712 N 77 Sunshine Strip #34, Harlingen

RSVP with Maria Escobar at (956) 966-2692 or [email protected].

10/07/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday to Maria D. Escobar, our Small Business & Startup Manager!

Every day, Maria works hard to strengthen our local business community by supporting entrepreneurs, connecting businesses with resources, and bringing fresh ideas and new opportunities to the table. We’re grateful to have her on our team and wishing her many more years of sweet success. 🍰

Enjoy your special day, Maria!

10/05/2026

ICYMI, we represented Harlingen at the North Capital Forum last week, where leaders from across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada came together to discuss the future of North American collaboration.

Mayor Norma Sepulveda was invited to speak on behalf of the U.S.-Mexico border, highlighting the unique role and perspective of border communities in strengthening regional connections and economic opportunities.

Thank you, Counsul Judith Arrieta Munguia and the team at the Consul of Mexico in Brownsville, for strengthening the long-standing relationship between our communities!

While there, we also met with key Mexican airline officials to discuss opportunities to expand air service and improve connectivity between our city and destinations across Mexico. ✈️🇲🇽

10/02/2026

🚀 WHAT A NIGHT! Yesterday’s 3rd annual RISE Up Harlingen Business Pitch Competition celebrated local entrepreneurs, their bold ideas, and the drive it takes to turn visions into thriving businesses.

Congratulations to our three winners, who took home:
🥇 First Place ($30,000) — Silly Dillys
🥈 Second Place ($20,000) — Chemsol Services, Inc.
🥉 Third Place ($15,000) — The Grove

And for the first time ever, every other entrepreneur who competed walked away with something, each receiving $1,000 to help move their business forward. 💰👏

A huge THANK YOU to our incredible sponsors for supporting this competition: Bert Ogden Rio Grande Valley & COSTEP Rio South Texas Region.

To our judges for sharing their time and expertise, our amazing team for bringing it all together, and our vendors for helping make the event a success… thank you! We couldn’t have done it without you. Special shoutout to Happily Ever Captured Photo Booth & Studio for offering FREE photos to attendees!

And to every entrepreneur who stepped onto that stage: thank YOU for taking the leap, sharing your vision, and building what’s next. We can’t wait to see where you go from here. 🌟