TexasMcAllen

Now, the Next 100 Years City reflects on rich past

aCTION FIGURes

Entertainment and recreation prosper

BOOM!Business climate

ranks among nation’s best

spONsORed BY The McalleN ChaMBeR OF COMMeRCe

2011 | IMaGesMCalleN.COM

What’s Online sink your teeth into some of Mcallen’s favorite cuisine.

http://www.riohealth.com/

http://www.riohealth.com/

http://www.riohealth.com/

Your Time Is Worth It. Get There Faster …

Fly McAllen!

www.mcallenairport.com (956) 681-1500

2500 S. Bicentennial Blvd. • McAllen, TX 78503

(800) 433-7300 www.aa.com

(702) 505-8888 www.allegiantair.com

(800) 525-0280 www.continental.com

(800) 221-1212 www.delta.com

McAllEn 3

McAllEn 3

ON The COveR Photo by Jeff Adkins The Irrigation Worker in McAllen

departments

6 almanac

22 Biz Briefs

24 Chamber Report

25 economic profile

26 Gallery

30 local Flavor

32 arts & Culture

34 education

36 sports & Recreation

38 health & Wellness

40 Community profile

2011 edITION | vOlUMe 9

Texas

cOntents

Features

10 aCTION FIGUResEntertainment and recreation prosper.

14 NOW, The NexT 100 YeaRsCity reflects on rich past.

18 BOOM!Business climate ranks among nation’s best.

10

30

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

please recycle this magazine

McAllen

McAllEn 5

Valley International Airport in Harlingen, Texas –the answer to your travel needs!

(956) 430-8600www.flythevalley.com

TEXAS | EAST COAST | WEST COAST | THE WORLD

More features. More of what you like.Valley International Airport gives you more services and options than ever before.

• On-site car rentals, shops and restaurants

• Complimentary Wi-Fi

• VIA V.I.P. Club, complimentary for our frequent flyers

• KidsPort Play Area

• NAFTA Cargo Hub

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection Station

• Shuttle Service to South Padre Island

McAllEn 5

Texas

pROjeCT MaNaGeR CourtnEy SEitEr

pROOFReadING MaNaGeR rAvEn PEtty

CONTeNT COORdINaTOR JESSiCA WAlkEr

sTaFF WRITeR kEvin litWin

COpY edITORs liSA BAttlES, Jill WyAtt

CONTRIBUTING WRITeRs MElAniE Hill,

CArSon o’SHonEy, tiffAny WilliAMS

MedIa TeChNOlOGY dIReCTOR CHriStinA CArdEn

seNIOR GRaphIC desIGNeRs lAurA GAllAGHEr,

JESSiCA MAnnEr, JAninE MArylAnd, kriS SExton,

CAndiCE SWEEt, vikki WilliAMS

MedIa TeChNOlOGY aNalYsTs CHAndrA BrAdSHAW,

lAnCE ConzEtt, MiCHElE niCCorE, MArCuS SnydEr

phOTOGRaphY dIReCTOR JEffrEy S. otto

seNIOR phOTOGRapheRs JEff AdkinS, BriAn McCord

sTaFF phOTOGRapheRs todd BEnnEtt, Antony BoSHiEr

WeB CONTeNT MaNaGeRs JoHn Hood, kiM MAdloM

WeB pROjeCT MaNaGeR noy fonGnAly

WeB desIGN dIReCTOR frAnCo SCArAMuzzA

WeB desIGNeR lEiGH GuArin

WeB develOpeR I yAMEl HAll

ad pROdUCTION MaNaGeR kAtiE MiddEndorf

ad TRaFFIC assIsTaNTs kryStin lEMMon, PAtriCiA MoiSAn

I.T. dIReCTOR yAnCEy Bond

I.T. sUppORT TeChNICIaN BryAn foriESt

ReGIONal sales MaNaGeR CHriS SWEEnEy

sales sUppORT/COMMUNITY, BUsINess, CUsTOM

rACHAEl GoldSBErry

seNIOR aCCOUNTaNT liSA oWEnS

aCCOUNTs paYaBle COORdINaTOR MAriA McfArlAnd

aCCOUNTs ReCeIvaBle COORdINaTOR diAnA GuzMAn

OFFICe MaNaGeR/aCCOUNTs ReCeIvaBle

COORdINaTOR SHElly MillEr

INTeGRaTed MedIa MaNaGeR dAvid MoSkovitz

sales sUppORT MaNaGeR Cindy HAll

COlOR IMaGING TeChNICIaN AliSon HuntEr

ChaIRMaN GrEG tHurMAn

pResIdeNT/pUBlIsheR BoB SCHWArtzMAn

exeCUTIve vICe pResIdeNT rAy lAnGEn

seNIOR v.p./sales todd PottEr, CArlA tHurMAn

seNIOR v.p./OpeRaTIONs CASEy HEStEr

seNIOR v.p./ClIeNT develOpMeNT JEff HEEfnEr

v.p./exTeRNal COMMUNICaTIONs tErEE CArutHErS

v.p./CUsTOM pUBlIshING kiM nEWSoM

v.p./vIsUal CONTeNT MArk forEStEr

v.p./CONTeNT OpeRaTIONs nAtASHA lorEnS

v.p./sales CHArlES fitzGiBBon,

HErB HArPEr, JArEk SWEkoSky

CONTROlleR CHriS dudlEy

CONTeNT dIReCTOR/TRavel pUBlICaTIONs

SuSAn CHAPPEll

CONTeNT dIReCTOR/BUsINess pUBlICaTIONs

Bill McMEEkin

MaRkeTING CReaTIve dIReCTOR kEitH HArriS

dIsTRIBUTION dIReCTOR GAry SMitH

exeCUTIve seCReTaRY kriSty dunCAn

hUMaN ResOURCes MaNaGeR PEGGy BlAkE

ReCepTIONIsT lindA BiSHoP

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 78501Phone: (956) 682-2871 • fax: (956) 687-2917

www.mcallenchamber.com

vIsIT McAllen ONlINe aT IMaGesMCalleN.COM

©Copyright 2010 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.

Member the Association of Magazine Media

Member Custom Content Council

Member McAllen Chamber of Commerce

What’s Online imagesmcallen.com

TexasMcAllen

Now, the Next 100 Years City reflects on rich past

aCTION FIGURes

Entertainment and recreation prosper

BOOM!Business climate

ranks among nation’s best

spONsORed BY The McalleN ChaMBeR OF COMMeRCe

2011 | IMaGesMCalleN.COM

What’s Online sink your teeth into some of Mcallen’s favorite cuisine.

See more photos in our online photo gallery

Get the inside scoop from our photographers’ blog

Easily share articles and photos on Facebook, Twitter or via e-mail

Photos

Digital eDition

Facts & statsDig deeper with in-depth data on industries, schools and more

ViDeoGet a moving glimpse at favorite local places and attractions

Real estateLearn about the local housing market and get started finding your place

McAllen

6 iMAgEsMCAllEn.CoM McAllEn 7

Welcome to McAllenAn introduCtion to thE ArEA’s pEoplE, plACEs And EvEnts

Hispanic Heritagethe majority of McAllen’s population – nearly 90 percent –

is Hispanic. Meanwhile, more than 100 of the fortune 500’s

global manufacturers have operations in McAllen or just

across the border in reynosa, Mexico.

the Hispanic influence in McAllen is immense, and one of

the community’s biggest celebrations each year is Palmfest.

McAllen is known as the City of Palms, so every october nearly

30,000 people pack the McAllen Convention Center grounds

to celebrate Hispanic culture and the history of deep South

texas. Palmfest features Hispanic music, ethnic foods,

authentic cultural entertainment and children’s activities.

take noteGreat music in a great outdoor climate?

Sounds good. the McAllen Chamber of

Commerce and the City of McAllen host

the Music Afterhours outdoor Concert

Series, a free series that happens twice

a month from october through May. on

the first friday of every month, audiences

experience a variety of musical sounds at

historic Archer Park on Main Street in the

Arts district. on third fridays, Music

Afterhours occurs at the McAllen

Convention Center bandstand,

located on the east side of

the reflection pool.

Birds of a feather

Quinta Mazatlan is a

1930s Spanish revival country

estate in the heart of McAllen,

and the adobe hacienda is

surrounded by lush tropical

landscaping and native

woodland. it can serve as

an interesting conference

and events center but is also

an urban oasis where quiet

trails wind through more than

15 acres of birding habitat.

it attracts many of the favorite

valley species from around the

country, including Black-bellied

Whistling ducks, Green Jays,

Plain Chachalacas and olive

Sparrows. the grounds also

feature bird-feeding stations

and a hummingbird lane.

Almanac

6 iMAgEsMCAllEn.CoM McAllEn 7

Extra CreditSouth texas College has been around since 1993

and now has five campuses throughout Hidalgo

and Starr counties. the student enrollment has

surpassed 22,000 and there is a faculty and staff

of more than 1,800. South texas College offers

comprehensive courses for college transfer

to four-year institutions, as well as vocational,

technical and continuing education programs.

Going to the dogsMcAllen dog Park is a spacious area for dogs to run and their owners to mingle.

the park is at tamarack Avenue and 5th Street and is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

every day – it is lighted after dark.

Fast Factsn the renaissance Casa de palmas hotel was built in 1918 and reflects McAllen’s colorful past.

n people come from all over the world to compete in the valley land Fund south texas shootout photo contest, held since 1994.

n there are more than 600 restaurants within the city limits of McAllen.

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

n the los Ebanos Ferry is the last hand-operated ferry on the u.s.-Mexico border.

Sounds GreatFor an astounding aural experience, take in a

performance of the valley symphony orchestra. the orchestra that was founded in 1952 also has a chorale and performs six concerts annually at the McAllen Civic Center Auditorium. seasons run from september through April. the symphony also supports education programs such as success thru strings, as well as low-cost concerts for valley students. it also supports a south texas Youth symphony that brings 75 of the most talented orchestral middle school and high school students to learn and perform at the highest level.

8 iMAgEsMCAllEn.CoM McAllEn 9

Get the story behind the

photoNow that you've experienced McAllen through our photos, see it through the eyes of our photographers. Visit imagesmcallen.com to view our exclusive photographers' blog documenting what all went in to capturing those perfect moments.

8 iMAgEsMCAllEn.CoM McAllEn 9

pOpUlaTION (2009 esTIMaTe)McAllen: 126,411

Greater McAllen Area: 741,152

lOCaTIONMcAllen is in the rio Grande valley of South texas,

70 miles west of the Gulf of Mexico.

BeGINNINGsthe city of McAllen was unofficially founded

in 1904 and incorporated in 1911.

FOR MORe INFORMaTIONMcAllen Chamber of Commerce

1200 Ash Ave.

McAllen, tx 78501

Phone: (956) 682-2871

fax: (956) 687-2917 www.mcallenchamber.com

mcallen at a glance

What’s Online Take a virtual tour of McAllen, courtesy of our award-winning photographers, at imagesmcallen.com.

Rio GrandeG

Rio Grande

83

281

281

83

7777

28128222777777

ReynosaoR osao

MatamorosRio Bravo

Brownsvilleowwn vvv

WeslacoHarlingenrlining

Edinburg

Mission

Pharr

McAllen

H I DA L G O

MEXICO

UNITED STATES

McAllen

the fun districtready for a night out on the town?

residents and visitors of McAllen enjoy a variety of pubs, clubs, lounges and restaurants in McAllen’s heart of the City, which runs primarily along 17th street. the district has something for every taste and has a convenient and safe place to park in the McAllen downtown parking garage. As for entertainment, the district has attractions such as Broadway in McAllen, the McAllen symphonic Band, south texas lyric opera, and the international Museum of Arts and science.

McAllEn 11 10 iMAgEsMCAllEn.CoM

EntErtAinMEnt, shopping And rECrEAtion ArE EndlEss in this Young CitY

Playingin McAllen

Now

What’s Online Go to imagesmcallen.com and click on “recreation” to read more about McAllen’s recreational activities.

McAllEn 11

McAllen is young – and young at heart. With a median age of 27, the border city is a hub for nightlife, shopping and recreation in the Rio Grande Valley.

Steve Ahlenius, President and Chief Executive Officer of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, says the city’s low cost of living and year-round tropical climate attract countless young families and singles, including the 50,000 higher education students who call Hidalgo County home.

“The region’s student population has been a huge economic engine in terms of retail, restaurants, music and culture,” Ahlenius says.

NightlifeWhen the sun goes down in McAllen, party-goers hit the

17th Street nightlife district, where more than 40 restaurants, lounges and nightclubs line trendy city streets. From the ultra-modern, bamboo-wrapped walls of the popular Lumen Lounge to the unforgettable fine dining of The Patio on Guerra, the entertainment district offers something for everyone.

MusicMusic and arts are a vital part of the culture in McAllen,

and few venues showcase that passion more than PalmFest, an international folklife celebration held each fall at the

Playing

Story By MelaNIe hIllPHotoGrAPHy By jeFF adkINs

Martinis are the drink of choice at lumen lounge in the 17th street nightlife district in McAllen.

12 iMAgEsMCAllEn.CoM McAllEn 13

12 iMAgEsMCAllEn.CoM McAllEn 13

McAllen Convention Center outdoor festival grounds. The event draws tens of thousands with nonstop music, entertainment, food and activities for the entire family.

shoppingAnd with the best retail selection in the Valley, McAllen

is also a destination for millions of hard-core shoppers from across Texas and Mexico. More than 40 shopping centers and a plethora of high-end, discount and specialty boutiques in downtown McAllen offer shoppers popular brands combined with one-of-a-kind items unique to south Texas. And with 600-plus restaurants serving every possible culinary genre, the toughest part of shopping is deciding where to eat afterward.

Mcallen parks and RecreationPicture-perfect temperatures make McAllen an unbeatable

outdoor destination. The McAllen Parks and Recreation Department maintains 25 city parks designed to get kids

of all ages up and moving. In 2010, the department celebrated the opening of McAllen’s Park and Spray Ground, located at 29th and Zinnia. The 20-acre park includes a child-friendly playing surface with automated spray features, a sand volleyball court, skateboard area, a half basketball court and 0.6 miles of walking trails. Other features include athletic practice fields, pavilions, picnic shelters and restroom facilities.

“The park has been extremely successful, with visitors playing from the time it opens to the time it closes,” says Sally Gavlik, Director of the McAllen Parks and Recreation Department. “It’s become a very vital aspect of the community.”

Set to open in 2011 is Firemen’s Park, located at First and Business 83. Guests will enjoy capabilities for overnight camping and a 10-acre man-made lake ideal for fishing, kayaking and canoeing.

“Parks are extremely vital here, and add to the quality of life for visitors who can go from one to the other and really experience a variety of activities,” Gavlik says.

From left to right: Children play in the automated spray features at McAllen’s new park and spray ground; Mickey pena skates the rails and jumps at park and spray ground; leslie garza admires the display room at stilo design.

14 iMAgEsMCAllEn.CoM

hEAding into thE FuturE, thE CitY rEFlECts on its riCh pAst

Mcallen,100 Years Later

McAllEn 15

McAllen, Texas, is a city worth celebrating. And few events call for celebration quite like the

city’s 100th anniversary on Feb. 13, 2011.“Over the last three decades,

McAllen has grown into a center for business, commerce and government in the Rio Grande Valley, and it is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan statistical areas in the country,” says Texas senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa of McAllen. “The citizens of McAllen are justifiably proud of their city, which has played a significant role in the annals of Texas history.”

100 Years of historyThough the city’s namesake,

John McAllen arrived in the Rio Grande

Valley in the early 1850s, it wasn’t until 1911 that the city of McAllen was incorporated, giving its 150 residents a well-earned place in Texas history.

Valley writer Eileen Mattei helped commemorate the occasion with the historical book, Leading the Way: McAllen’s First 100 Years. Months of research led Mattei to memorable stories about the people who took McAllen from a rural south Texas border town to a thriving, world-renowned destination for families, businesses and visitors.

“History is really about the people who helped take part in the events, and that’s what this book is looking at,” Mattei says. “When something was needed, be it a water well, hotel, public housing or foreign-trade zone, individuals put up the money to make it happen.

Residents underwrote crucial parts of the city’s development – things that have really helped it move forward.”

Mcallen’s MilestonesThe hardcover keepsake book,

commissioned by and available through the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, features more than 250 historical photographs of the city’s earliest residents and landmarks, and highlights significant events in the city’s colorful history. In 1916, for example, 12,000 military troops settled into McAllen, far outnumbering the city’s 1,200 residents.

“The event really changed the city’s outlook on what retail could do, and gave them an idea of what the city’s potential was,” Mattei says. “It triggered a tremendous spurt in retail operations

Story By MelaNIe hIll

the cover of the book Leading the Way: McAllen’s First 100 Years

McAllEn 17 16 iMAgEsMCAllEn.CoM

McAllEn 17

and made residents look ahead.”Other milestones include the 1959

construction of the McAllen Convention and Civic Center, the 1960 purchase of the international suspension bridge across the Rio Grande and the 1976 opening of La Plaza Mall, destined to become one of the most productive shopping malls in the United States. Another key event – the 1973 establishment of the nation’s first inland foreign-trade zone – boosted McAllen to the international center for

commerce that it is today. In 2007, the 18.5-acre McAllen Convention Center opened, featuring a 60,000-square-foot exhibit hall and more than 25,000 square feet of meeting space. And in 2008, the McAllen Heritage Center opened to the public in downtown McAllen’s La Placita Building, showcasing McAllen’s historic past through artwork, documents, pictures and writings. It’s one of the many ways the city is preserving its rich history while gearing up for the next 100 years.

“history is really about the people who helped take part in

the events … residents underwrote crucial parts of the city’s

development – things that have really helped it move forward.”

Clockwise from far left: McAllen’s new Convention Center; the old southern pacific railroad depot, built in 1927, on Bicentennial Boulevard in downtown McAllen; the McAllen heritage Center in downtown’s la placita Building; la plaza Mall

PH

ot

oS

By

JE

ff

Ad

kin

S

McAllEn 19 18 iMAgEsMCAllEn.CoM

McAllEn 19

Business is booming in McAllen. Despite a tough national economy, the city is leading the way in

population and job growth, claiming its place as the preferred site for companies locating along the United States/Mexico border.

“McAllen is unique because of its location, which has helped create an economy based on a young population and skill set,” says Keith Patridge, president and chief executive officer of the McAllen Economic Development Corporation. The not-for-profit works to create jobs by attracting new industry and helping existing companies expand.

Mcallen Ranks high in Business, population

Recognized by Forbes magazine as one of the most resilient major metro areas for employment, McAllen also ranks as one of the most cost-efficient American cities for doing business. In 2009, CNNMoney.com recognized McAllen among its Best Places to Launch a Small Business. And with a total population of 1.7 million, the McAllen metropolitan area is one of the fastest-growing metros in the state, thanks in large part to cross-border economic development with neighboring Reynosa, Mexico, which is located just 4 miles south.

Under American and Mexican

laws and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) provisions, the McAllen Foreign- Trade Zone designation offers specific cost-saving opportunities to manufacturers, including warehousing and storage, materials handling and manipulation, and tailor-made services such as training and traffic control. According to the MEDC, the Greater McAllen/Reynosa metro region boasts an unofficial population of about 2 million people. The maquiladora program, which operates under Mexico but is facilitated by tax laws in the United States, has allowed more than 200 Mexican and foreign-owned manufacturing

McAllEn’s BusinEss CliMAtE rAnks AMong thE nAtion’s BEst

Border TowN

Story By MelaNIe hIll

McAllen has been recognized as being one of the best places to launch a small business. StAff PHoto

McAllEn 21

McAllEn 21

companies to open large-scale operations in Reynosa.

Business in the Foreign-Trade ZoneMcAllen is represented by 40 of America’s top 100 retailers

and more than 80 of Fortune 500’s global manufacturers. JVC USA is one of many global companies located in the Foreign-Trade Zone. The company opened its product return center in McAllen in 2003 and, within the next seven years, relocated engineering, its customer call center and factory service center to the border city. Neal Rozelle, general manager for service and engineering at JVC USA, says the company hired more than 75 percent of its workforce locally, including engineers, administrators, quality control inspectors and technicians.

“The primary factors that appealed to us were the strategically valuable location, access to a large, eager and capable workforce and access to valuable networking within

the robust maquiladora industry,” Rozelle says. “There are personal benefits as well. This is a good place to live and raise a family.”

For more information about JVC USA, visit the website at www.jvc.com.

livabilityMcAllen’s livability is evident in its numbers. In contrast

to much of the nation, building permit values in Rio Grande Valley cities rose from $825 million in 2000 to almost $8.93 billion in 2008. McAllen leads the Valley with $159 million, and was ranked highest in the nation for affordable homes in Money magazine in 2006.

“In today’s economy, the importance of an affordable place to live and work is more visible than ever,” Rozelle says. “This area offers great value.”

McAllen is known as an excellent place to raise a family and for its affordable homes.

StAff PHoto

22 iMAgEsMCAllEn.CoM McAllEn 23

Biz BriefsBusinEssEs – Both lArgE And sMAll – thAt hElp dEFinE

McAllEn’s EConoMiC CliMAtE

alhaMBRaBiz: RestaurantBuzz: Alhambra is a Mediterranean and Mideast-themed restaurant, bar and hookah lounge. It is open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday and features live music and a DJ. The restaurant serves appetizers such as white anchovy bruschetta and crispy calamari; entrees such as hummus and spiced lamb chops; and sweet treats such as coconut couscous pudding.www.alhambraon17th.com

scorecardBUsINess aT

a GlaNCe

$3.5 billionannual Retail sales

$27,496Retail sales

per Capita

$82,819annual Retail sales

per household

Source: mcallen.org

22 iMAgEsMCAllEn.CoM McAllEn 23

aRT vIllaGe ON MaINBiz: Artists’ rental spacesBuzz: Art Village on Main is a building constructed specifically for the artistic community. Tenants are able to rent studios, offices or galleries. Cantu Construction is behind the project and, besides the arts, there is space available for banking services, a restaurant and a multipurpose room. Spaces can also be rented and transformed into exhibits or event locations.www.cantuconstruction.com

aBasTO CORpORaTIONBiz: Warehouse salesBuzz: Abasto is a leader in the sale and leasing of warehouses, ranging from 1,400 to 20,000 square feet. The company was founded in 1992 and offers warehouse space as close as 3 miles from the U.S./Mexico border bridge. In 1992, Abasto launched its first project in the U.S. – the McAllen Produce Terminal Market of Texas – and has since built more than 800 commercial warehouse complexes.www.mcallenwarehouse.com

Us FlOORsBiz: Flooring expertsBuzz: US Floors/Flooring America has experts on staff who are trained in flooring sales and design, and will help individuals and companies find the ideal f loors for the way they live. The nationwide 500-store buying power allows customers to receive low prices on thousands of carpet types and other f looring options. Flooring America showcases a large selection of carpet, hardwood, laminate and more.www.usfloorsfa.com

RUssO’s NeW YORk pIZZeRIaBiz: RestaurantBuzz: The Russo family of New York decided to move their pizza operation to Texas in the early 1990s and opened its first restaurant in the Houston market. Today, Russo’s has 25 locations, including McAllen. The motto at Russo’s is, “If you can’t make it fresh, don’t serve it.”www.nypizzeria.com

24 iMAgEsMCAllEn.CoM

chamber reportMcAllEn ChAMBEr BACks initiAtivE For EntrEprEnEurs

The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has brainstormed

a plan to back people who are brainstormers.

The Chamber has established an Inventors & Entrepreneurs Network

that helps individuals or groups transform good ideas into eventual products and services, which could ultimately result in new businesses and jobs. On the fourth Thursday of every month from 6 to 8 p.m.,

the Chamber’s office hosts an I&E Network meeting for the purpose of furthering the connections and networking opportunities for inventors and entrepreneurs.

“Many times, creative people have an idea but feel alone or don’t know what to do with it, so we started this network to really push people beyond the conceptual stage,” says Steve Ahlenius, president and CEO of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce. “We provide information and discuss topics such as developing a business plan, patenting and funding options.”

Ahlenius says the I&E Network was established in January 2010, and about 30 aspiring inventors and entrepreneurs attend each session.

The monthly meeting can include small business counseling, market analysis, educational seminars and business plan competitions. The Chamber has also secured $50,000 for innovation grants as well as $25,000 for small business grants, and Ahlenius points out that one McAllen group in the program is already close to becoming a success story.

“That group is working on a concept for a new kind of baby bottle washer, and it is currently going through the required steps to secure a patent,” he says. “They started by attending an I&E Network meeting, then developed a concept in terms of a business plan, made an application for an innovation grant and were awarded $10,000 to go toward their patent filings and eventual manufacturing.”

Ahlenius says anyone in McAllen or surrounding communities who wishes to attend an I&E Network session is encouraged to do so. For more information on the I&E Network or to make a reservation to attend a meeting, call the McAllen Chamber of Commerce at (956) 682-2871.

– Kevin Litwin

McAllEn 25

eCONOMIC OveRvIeWthe 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.

eCONOMIC pROFIle

Taxes

2%City sales and use tax

6.25%state sales tax

8.25%total sales tax

WORkFORCe

39,362total Workforce

80%percentage White Collar

20%percentage Blue Collar

edUCaTION

21%Associate degree

15%Bachelor’s degree

INCOMe

$16,069per Capita income

$41,580Average Annual household Expenditure

eCONOMIC ResOURCes

McAllen Chamber of Commerce1200 Ash Ave. McAllen, texas 78501 (956) 682-2871 www.mcallenchamber.com

McAllen Convention & visitors’ Bureau(945) 682-2871 www.mcallencvb.com

McAllen Economic development Corporation

6401 S. 33rd St. McAllen, texas 78503 (956) 682-2875 www.medc.org

McAllen heart of the City 220 S. 17th St. McAllen, texas 78501 (956) 686-4357 www.mcallenheartofthecity.com

TRaNspORTaTION

McAllen-Miller international Airport2500 S. Bicentennial Blvd. McAllen, texas 78503 (956) 682-9101 www.mcallenairport.com

McAllen Express transit1500 W. Business Highway 83 McAllen, texas 78501 (956) 688-3500

McAllen/hidalgo international Bridge1023 international Blvd. Hidalgo, texas 78557 (956) 843-2471 www.mcallen.net/bridge

greyhound/valley transit Company(956) 686-5479 www.valleytransitcompany.com www.greyhound.com

Amtrakwww.amtrak.com

MajOR eMplOYeRs

Edinburg Consolidated i.S.d. 3,600

McAllen independent School district 3,595

Edinburg regional Medical Center 3,000

university of texas Pan American 2,850

McAllen Medical Center 2,800

Hidalgo County 2,211

Mission Consolidated i.S.d. 2,140

City of McAllen 1,801

Columbia rio Grande regional Hospital 975

South texas College 811

26 iMAgEsMCAllEn.CoM

image Gallery

What’s Online Visit imagesmcallen.com to see more award-winning photography highlighting the places and people in McAllen.

McAllEn 27

The sun sets over McAllen, Texas. Photo by Jeff Adkins

28 iMAgEsMCAllEn.CoM

Flowers at the Quinta Mazatlan house Photo by Jeff Adkins

McAllEn 29

Art by Kim Snyder Johnson at the McA2 Creative Incubator Staff Photo

PHoto By JEff AdkinS

30 iMAgEsMCAllEn.CoM McAllEn 31

mcallen has many restaurants and eateries to satisfy almost any food craving, including a wide variety of international cuisine. Whether it’s original texas favorites or something more worldly you crave, get ready to saddle up for a round-the-world adventure without ever having to leave the city.

McAllEn hAs FlAvorsoME FAvoritEs FroM All ovEr thE World

a treat for the taste Buds

30 iMAgEsMCAllEn.CoM McAllEn 31

mcallen Fine dining and internatiOnal restaurants

for authentic Argentinian

cooking, try la Pampa, which

specializes in Argentinean steaks.

Popular fine dining restaurants

include Bistro M and venetian

fine dining, which let you escape

into a world of elegant relaxation.

live music on a baby grand piano

allows Bistro M to set the tone

of the night, with European chef

and owner Marcel fortuin always

cooking up something fresh.

At venetian fine dining,

you can kick back and enjoy

a decadent menu devoted

to Mediterranean cuisine.

Also offering a taste of the

Mediterranean is Espana

Mediterranean Cuisine.

roll on over to Japan and

try an Eclipse roll at kumori.

taste buds still craving more?

Well mosey on over to the taste

of india, Sahadi Specialty foods

or onyx.

catering and Organic OptiOns

tired yet? Well, no worries.

Jrow’s Catering brings the food

to you. Prepared fresh using the

highest-quality ingredients, Jrow’s

makes any function a delicious hit.

McAllen also has a variety of

organic and fresh food markets

that are sure to help you muster

up some energy. Clemmon’s

orchard, norm’s farmers Market

and the McAllen farmers Market

give sensible patrons an

opportunity to enjoy fresh,

homegrown fruits and vegetables,

as well as an array of farm favorites.

– Tiffany Williams

local flavor

Costa Messa RestauRant www.costamessarestaurant.com

BistRo M www.bistrom.net

Venetian Fine Dining www.venetianfinedining.com

kuMoRiwww.kumori-sushi.com

taste oF inDiatasteofiiamcallentx.com

RepuBliC oF the Rio gRanDe www.republicgrill.com

jRow’s, www.jrowscatering.com

BRownsVille FaRMeRs MaRkethttp://agnews.tamu.edu/ showstory.php?id+2100

For more information

left: desert at Bistro M Top right: Filet mignon with grilled asparagus and mashed potatoes at republic of the rio grande Bottom right: Bistro M features European cuisine.

JE

ff

Ad

kin

S

tex-mexStarting off close to home,

tex-Mex eatery Costa Messa

restaurant offers authentic

Mexican cuisine, with menu

favorites such as the botana

platter, which consists of chips,

beans, cheese, your choice of

beef or chicken, fried zucchini,

quesadillas and rice, making

each visit a sizzling good time.

Wineif it’s delectable wines you

desire, you can toast to the

memory of a free republic every

night at the republic of the rio

Grande Grill and Cantina, where

scrumptious steaks and tasty wines

pervade the menu. Whether dining

inside their white mission walls or

outside on their flame-lit patio,

patrons can enjoy the taste of the

Chateau Saint Cyrgues Meritage

or a ripe kendall Jackson Pinot

noir with any lunch or dinner.

StA

ff

PH

ot

o

32 iMAgEsMCAllEn.CoM

discover the rich heritage and mixed culture of a city bustling with life through the many art and culture offerings in mcallen, texas. Straddling the u.S.-Mexico border, this progressive city offers some of the best cultural activities in the state.

art aboundsAn ArrAY oF Art And CulturE ACtivitiEs ArE Found in McAllEn

Right: A historic bell is on display at the Museum of south texas history. J

Ef

f A

dk

inS

32 iMAgEsMCAllEn.CoM McAllEn 33

Arts & Culture

histOric sitesthe Museum of South texas History and McAllen

Heritage Center are just a few of the places to learn

about the rich history of this bicultural city as well as

other nearby areas.

Quinta Mazatlan, a 1930s hacienda, embodies the

Spanish Colonial revival architecture of arches, beams

and carvings, and provides an intimate look into

south texas history. Set in formal tropical landscaping‚

this 10,000-square-foot mansion hosts a mix of

native and exotic plants and wildlife and makes up

one section of the popular World Birding Center.

– Tiffany Williams

Visual arts and FestiValsthe fascinating international Museum of Art &

Science promotes a deeper appreciation for the arts

and sciences through its exhibitions, cultural events

and many educational programs.

the McAllen Art Walk is a self-guided tour that

gives art lovers the opportunity to explore the many

art offerings in one of the oldest parts of the city.

the tour is free and open to the public.

the Candlelight Posada offers food booths,

luminaries, twinkling lights, caroling and a live

nativity scene every in december.

entertainment in mcallenMcAllen’s downtown 17th Street Entertainment

district is filled with galleries, restaurants, nightclubs

and more. And located at its center is the historic

Cine El rey theater, which functions as a music and

performance venue and screens Spanish and English

language independent features.

Music in McAllen is performed by the valley

Symphony orchestra & Chorale. Similarly, the South

texas lyric opera brings the fine art of opera to the

rio Grande valley with a yearly slate of productions

and an annual opera gala.

chamBer suppOrtthe Chamber of Commerce shows its love for the

arts in other ways, too. its McA2 Creative incubator

houses studios and more for artists of all genres

to utilize at low, reasonable costs. And it sponsors

Broadway in McAllen, featuring Broadway shows

performed at the Civic Center or State farm Arena.

34 iMAgEsMCAllEn.CoM McAllEn 35

parents, take your pick: mcallen has the school to suit all your child’s educational needs, whether your child is pint-sized and packing a lunch, or all grown up and headed to history 101.

With many of the school districts in the area offering early college preparation courses and programs, local little ones will be ready to hit the dorm rooms in no time.

mcallen area schOOl districts

the Achieve Early College

High School program is offered

through the McAllen independent

School district in partnership with

South texas College. the program

allows 400 students to complete

high school on the college’s Pecan

Campus in McAllen, and gives

them an opportunity to earn up

to 60 hours of college credit at no

cost to students or their families.

Pharr-San Juan-Alamo

independent School district

and Hidalgo independent

School district both offer

similar programs.

cOllege prep and technical training

While South texas College

partners with several of the school

districts, it also offers traditional

college programs, a nursing and

allied health campus, and a

technology campus in McAllen, as

well as workforce training centers.

the school is also one of only two

in the state accredited to offer

bachelor of technology degrees.

la Joya independent School

district has a College and Career

Center, and Sharyland and valley

view independent school districts

provide students Advanced

Placement options.

college readinessMcAllEn oFFErs quAlitY EduCAtion options, CollEgE prEp

international educationSomething unique to the McAllen Independent School District is its International Baccalaureate Program, which offers students three programs focusing on international education. The three programs are the Diploma Programme, which is a course of pre-university studies, the Middle Years Programme and the Primary Years Programme. The goal is to teach students the skills they need to live and work in a globalized world.

university of texas-pan American

PHotoS By JEff AdkinS

34 iMAgEsMCAllEn.CoM McAllEn 35

Education

mcallen area parent participatiOn

Just north of McAllen is

Edinburg, where the Edinburg

Consolidated independent School

district offers 27 elementary

schools, five middle schools, three

high schools and one alternative

campus. Encompassing a massive

945 square miles, ECiSd is one

of the largest school districts in

the nation. its EnCorE Parent

College readiness forum

Program helps students keep

a progressive interest in college

by providing a combination of

teacher and parental support.

uniVersity degrees in sOuth texas

Also located in Edinburg

is the university of texas–Pan

American. opening its doors in

1927, utPA offers 57 bachelors

degrees, 57 master’s degrees,

three doctoral degrees and two

cooperative doctoral programs

within six colleges.

the university is dedicated

to the academic advancement

of its students and prides

itself on providing them an

affordable education and

global opportunities.

– Tiffany Williams

36 iMAgEsMCAllEn.CoM McAllEn 37

mcallen, texas, is a border city that’s never boring. residents can enjoy the many city parks and golf courses, cheer on their favorite local sports teams, and even go ice skating in south texas.

gOlFWith nearly 20 courses in the

McAllen area, it’s safe to say that

golf is a popular attraction. one

of the most notable courses is the

Palm view Golf Course, a public

course with a private feel. With

rolling fairways and Bermuda

rough mounds, the course is a

popular location for professional

and amateur tournaments, as

it has previously hosted lPGA

tournaments and Amateur

Golf Championships.

Private courses are also

plentiful in the area. McAllen

Country Club gives players from

all skill levels a challenge, and also

offers a swimming pool and tennis

courts. other courses surround

the city in nearby towns, including

Cimarrón Golf resort in Mission,

los lagos Golf Club in Edinburg,

tierra Santa Golf Club in Weslaco,

and tierra del Sol Golf Course

in Pharr.

Every golf course in the area

is constantly bustling week in and

week out, especially in the winter,

when “Winter texans” come to the

rio Grande valley. the weather

generally stays in the 70s in

the winter months, making it

a perfect place for winter golfing.

hiking and BikingMcAllen residents enjoy plenty

of hiking and biking trails on the

east and west sides of town, and

cyclists can meet up with the help

of team McAllen Cycling, a bike

club that’s been in the city for

more than 25 years.

Fun With no BordersMcAllEn rECrEAtion rAngEs FroM golF to iCE skAting

PH

ot

oS

By

JE

ff

Ad

kin

S

McAllen Country Club

36 iMAgEsMCAllEn.CoM McAllEn 37

Sports & recreation

parksthe Parks division of the

Parks & recreation department

currently oversees 25 city parks

in McAllen. Archer Park, McAllen’s

oldest, serves as a historic

landmark and also plays host to

many of the city’s annual special

events. one of the newest

additions to the park system is

los Encinos Community Park,

which has become a great place

to play many different sports.

McAllen’s largest city park is

Springfest Park, which hosts many

special city events and is home

to McAllen’s Winter Polo league.

other parks include Westside,

Suarez, Garza, las Palmas and

Cascade parks, each with their

own special features.

Other spOrtsSports fans have plenty to

cheer for, with minor league or semi-pro teams in basketball, football, baseball, hockey and soccer. Hockey fans cheer on the rio Grande valley killer Bees.Basketball fans have the rio Grande valley vipers to root for. the rio Grande valley Bravos is

the valley’s only soccer team.

the Edinburg roadrunners

are members of united league

Baseball, a professional baseball

league not affiliated with Major

league Baseball. the rio Grande

Speedway hosts stock car races

and the frio Grande valley ice

Center is fun for ice skating and

much more. – Carson O’Shoney

Jogging along the 2nd street hike and Bike trail in McAllen

McAllEn 39 38 iMAgEsMCAllEn.CoM

Whichever type of health-care program or treatment one seeks, finding it in mcallen is easy. the McAllen area has several major hospitals and medical centers, each offering a broad range of health services.

mcallen medical centeropening in 1919, McAllen Medical Center serves as the valley’s

longest operating health-care facility, offering 441 beds and a staff

of more than 400 physicians representing more than 50 medical

specialties. there is also a level iii trauma Center and a variety

of services ranging from a birthing center to diabetes

management to endocrinology.

a hub For health careMcAllEn oFFErs A vAriEtY oF MEdiCAl options

McAllEn 39

Health & Wellness

dOctOrs hOspital at renaissance

Another medical center serving

McAllen is the 506-bed doctors

Hospital at renaissance. Since

opening its doors in 1997 as

an outpatient surgical center,

the hospital has grown into

a complete acute care facility.

today, it provides a full range

of medical and surgical services,

including cardiology, neurosurgery,

endocrinology, and has a Pediatric

Medical tower that provides

pediatric oncology and pediatric

iCu services.

– Tiffany Williams

riO grande regiOnal hOspital

rio Grande regional Hospital

also has a keen focus on the

little ones, performing the first

pediatric open-heart surgery in

the valley in 2009 at its Pediatric

Pavilion. With 66 beds, a pediatric

iCu and a Pediatric Step-down

unit, the Pediatric Pavilion also

undertakes procedures such

as cochlear implants and

electrophysiology. the hospital

is well known for patient safety

and clinical excellence. its

320-bed, full-service acute care

medical facility has more than

500 physicians representing more

than 35 specialties, and serves

as the only Accredited diabetes

Management Center in the area.

doctors hospital at renaissance

50Number of medical specialties practiced at McAllen Medical Center

2009Year the first pediatric open-heart surgery

was performed at Rio Grande Regional

StA

ff

PH

ot

o

40 iMAgEsMCAllEn.CoM

COMMUNITY OveRvIeWMcAllen is an area with a burgeoning arts culture. the city

is known statewide for the quality and quantity of its artists.

visit ouradvertisersAEP Texaswww.aep.com

City of McAllen Public Information Officewww.exploremcallen.net

Copy Graphicswww.copyg.com

Embassy Suiteswww.embassysuites.com

Family Physicians Clinicwww.familyphysiciansclinic.com

Magic Valley Electric Cooperativewww.magicvalley.coop

McAllen EDCwww.medc.org

McAllen Independent School Districtwww.mcallenisd.org

McAllen International Airportwww.mcallenairport.com

Rio Grande Regional Hospitalwww.riogranderegionalhospital.com

Shepard Walton Kingwww.shepardwaltonking.com

St. Paul Lutheran Church & Schoolwww.stpaulmcallen.org

Valley International Airportwww.flythevalley.com

hOUsehOld INFORMaTION

126,411total population

29Median resident Age

54%Married

46%single

35.27%Age 19 and under

47.37%Age 20-54

17.36%Age 55 and over

TRaNspORTaTION

17 minutesMedian travel time to Work

sIZe IN sqUaRe MIles

46.7COsT OF lIvING

$44,612Median household income

$123,286Median home price

$718Median rent for a two-Bedroom Apartment

COMMUNITY pROFIle

TIMe ZONe

Central

ClIMaTe OveRvIeW

McAllen has a semi-tropical

climate, with an average

annual temperature of

74 degrees. its mild winters

and warm summers make

it a perfect destination for

both tourists and retirees.

49 FWinter low temperature

96 Fsummer high temperature

23”Annual rain Fall (vs. national Average Annual rain Fall of 37”)

McAllEn 41

Family Practice with comPetence and integrit y

cayetano e. Barrera, m.d.

Fellow A.A.F.P.

homero rivas, m.d.

Diplomate A.A.F.P.Fellow A.A.F.P.

daniel j. guerra, m.d., P.a.

Diplomate A.A.F.P.Fellow A.A.F.P.

leonel g. moreno, m.d.Diplomate A.A.F.P.

Fellow A.A.F.P.

Family Physicians clinicSince 1967

Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. 8 a.m.-Noon

682-4515606 S. Broadway • McAllen, TX

valley night clinicSince 1981

Open Every Night of the Year 6 p.m.-Midnight

682-4515606 S. Broadway • McAllen, TX

1906 E. Tyler, Ste. BP.O. Box 1830

Harlingen, TX 78550(956) 423-8755

Fax: (956) 423-0730(888) 423-8755

801 N. MainP.O. Box 1630

McAllen, TX 78501(956) 682-2841

Fax: (956) 630-4015(800) 446-2471

CommerCial ProPerty • auto • liability

Workers’ ComPensation

HomeoWners • life • HealtH

www.shepardwaltonking.com

“You’ll Like theWay We Do Business”

Ad Index 37 AEP tExAS

23 City of MCAllEn PuBliC inforMAtion offiCE

41 CoPy GrAPHiCS

20 EMBASSy SuitES

41 fAMily PHySiCiAnS CliniC

2 MAGiC vAllEy ElECtriC CooP

35 MCAllEn EdC

C4 MCAllEn indEPEndEnt SCHool diStriCt

1 MCAllEn intErnAtionAl AirPort

C2 rio GrAndE rEGionAl HoSPitAl

41 SHEPArd WAlton kinG

24 St. PAul lutHErAn CHurCH & SCHool

4 vAllEy intErnAtionAl AirPort

http://www.mcallenisd.org/