RGV Business Journal

Once only available in major cities, this technology is now saving lives in the Rio Grande Valley. ECMO — short for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation — is a specialized form of life support that temporarily replaces the function of the heart and lungs. In this episode of the Rio Grande Valley Business Journal podcast, host Naxi Lopez speaks with Dr. Andrew Phillips and Jennifer Tobar about how t...

The Rio Grande Valley Business Journal presents highlights from its inaugural Economic Outlook Luncheon, featuring keynote economist Pia Orrenius , vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas . After opening remarks from publisher Ramiro Garza Jr. , Orrenius breaks down Texas job trends, housing affordability, migration shifts and cross-border trade — and what those forces could mean for...

In this Rio Grande Valley Business Journal podcast episode, reporter Kristen Mossbrucker-Garza talks with Bert Guerra of Cine El Rey and James Alexander of The Flying Walrus about the growing tensions between city leadership and longtime downtown stakeholders. The conversation covers: • The original Heart of the City revitalization plan • Recent enforcement actions and power shutoffs • Zoning prop...

In this episode of the Rio Grande Valley Business Journal podcast, Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza sits down with Mike Willis, executive director of the South Texas Manufacturers Association, to discuss tariffs, automation, supply chains and workforce challenges shaping manufacturing today. Willis explains why jobs didn’t “disappear,” how consumer choices fueled globalization, and what companies really n...

Brownsville is experiencing a historic economic shift — and for the first time in modern history, more people are moving into the city than leaving. In this episode of the Rio Grande Valley Business Journal podcast, Gilberto Salinas , president and CEO of the Greater Brownsville EDC, breaks down what’s driving that transformation. From SpaceX’s Starbase operation to major LNG projects near the Por...

Federal officials, SpaceX defense contracts and AI data centers are transforming the Rio Grande Valley. In this episode of the Rio Grande Valley Business Journal podcast, our reporters break down border security policy, ICE enforcement, SpaceX’s expanding role as a defense contractor, and the rise of AI-powered data centers in Cameron and Willacy counties.

On this episode of the Rio Grande Valley Business Journal podcast, host Naxi Lopez-Puente speaks with Jonathan “Johnny” Vasquez, executive officer of the Rio Grande Valley Builders Association (RGVBA), about the state of residential construction in the Rio Grande Valley. Vasquez discusses why the market has slowed, what affordability pressures look like (tariffs, regulation, land costs), how inven...

Rio Grande Valley Business Journal host Naxi Lopez-Puente speaks with Mario Guerrero, CEO of the South Texas Builders Association, about what builders and contractors say they’re seeing on construction sites across the Rio Grande Valley — and how worksite enforcement activity can ripple into project delays, construction loans, timelines, and the broader local economy. Guerrero also discusses how t...

Rising construction costs, higher land prices and changing buyer demand are reshaping the Rio Grande Valley housing market. In this interview, a local builder and real estate broker walks through what affordable new construction looks like today in Pharr, how labor and material costs have changed over the past decade, and why incentives are becoming more common in a buyer’s market. The conversatio...

In this episode of the  RGV Business Journal ,  host Naxiely Lopez  takes listeners on a tour with  Joaquin Spamer  from McAllen, Texas, as they explore two of his ongoing construction projects shaping the Valley’s growth. From groundbreaking developments to the vision behind each build, Joaquin shares what it takes to bring large-scale projects to life and how construction in the RGV plays a vita...

In this episode of the Rio Grande Valley Business Journal Podcast we sit down with Dante Galeazzi, CEO/President of The Texas International Produce association where he talks about agricultural restraints and water supply issues facing the Rio Grande Valley

The Rio Grande Valley is growing fast — but with growth comes challenges. 🏗️In this episode of the RGV Business Journal, host Naxiely Lopez sits down with Richard A. Garza, Broker and Owner of BIC Realty, to discuss some of the key infrastructure issues affecting the region. From transportation and drainage to planning and development, Richard shares his perspective on what’s holding the Valley ba...

Este episodio del pódcast presenta una entrevista con Mari Carmen Cadena, una profesionista con más de 30 años de experiencia en desarrollo económico y atracción de inversión extranjera en el norte de México. Ella comparte su trayectoria —desde estudiar en el extranjero, trabajar en el gobierno y promover a México internacionalmente, hasta unirse a desarrolladores industriales, convertirse en brók...

In this episode of the RGV Business Journal Podcast , we sit down with Brian Godinez , CEO of ERO Architects and board member of the Institute for Leadership and Capital Projects, along with Jim Darling , former McAllen mayor and current chairperson of the Region M Water Planning Group. They discuss the Rio Grande Valley’s current infrastructure challenges, the opportunities emerging across the re...

Texas agriculture is facing a critical labor shortage—and current federal immigration policies may be making it worse. In this episode, host Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza speaks with Texas International Produce Association CEO Dante Galeazzi to fill in a major gap left out of a recent Dallas Fed report: the impact on construction and agriculture, two industries heavily dependent on immigrant and guest-...

What role does infrastructure play in shaping the future of the Rio Grande Valley? 🏗️In this episode of the RGV Business Journal, host Naxiely Lopez sits down with Rene Xavier Gonzalez, the President of CODEM, to discuss the organization’s mission and how it’s driving growth across the region. They dive into how CODEM works to strengthen economic development, improve infrastructure, and create lon...

Ever wondered who’s behind the stories that keep the Rio Grande Valley informed? 🗞️ In this episode of the  RGV Business Journal ,  host Naxiely Lopez  sits down with  Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza , the reporter working behind the scenes to bring the region’s most important business stories to light. Kristen shares what it’s like to cover the RGV’s growing business landscape, how she finds the stories...

In this episode of the RGV Business Journal, Host Naxiely Lopez sits down with journalist Matt Wilson to explore the vital role of citrus in the Rio Grande Valley.  🍊 From the fields to the marketplace, the citrus industry is more than agriculture — it’s a cornerstone of the Valley’s economy, culture, and identity. Matt shares his experience covering the industry, the challenges growers face, and...

In this episode of the  RGV Business Journal , host  Naxiely Lopez  sits down with  Teclo Garcia  to dive into one of the most important topics shaping our region: transportation and investment in Texas. They discuss how funding for infrastructure along the border impacts not just the Rio Grande Valley, but the entire state and even the country. With thousands of delivery trucks crossing the borde...

Introducing the RGV Business Journal!  🌟 Join  host Naxiely Lopez  and  Edinburg Mayor Ramiro Garza  as they kick off the very first episode of the RGV Business Journal. This podcast is all about highlighting the businesses, leaders, and stories that keep the Rio Grande Valley thriving. The goal? To connect our communities and keep you in the know about the opportunities shaping the RGV’s future....