**Pharr EDC Wins 2025 Workforce Excellence Award from Texas Economic Development Council**
The Pharr Economic Development Corporation (PEDC) has been honored with the 2025 Workforce Excellence Award by the Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC), shining a spotlight on innovative local solutions addressing critical workforce challenges. This accolade was awarded in recognition of PEDC’s Healthcare Workforce Training Initiative and was announced during TEDC’s Mid-Year Conference, held in Rockwall, Texas on June 19, 2025.
An Award-Winning Initiative
The Healthcare Workforce Training Initiative, launched in 2024, stands out for its strategic approach to mitigating regional shortages in healthcare labor. By collaborating with the Lower Rio Grande Valley Workforce Development Board and RGV College, Pharr implemented a program targeted at high-demand fields like vocational nursing, medical assisting, and pharmacy technology. Funding from local economic development taxes and federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds supported the endeavor, which trained 50 individuals with an impressive 83% retention rate. This initiative is part of a broader commitment to developing a resilient and capable local workforce.
Commissioner Ricardo Medina expressed pride in Pharr’s achievement, stating, “We are honored to be recognized for tackling workforce challenges with bold, innovative solutions. By tapping into the potential of our people and creating pathways to opportunity, we are building a workforce that is ready to grow with Pharr.”
Local Impact: A Boost for the Rio Grande Valley
For the Rio Grande Valley (RGV), this recognition underscores regional efforts to address paramount workforce needs. The impact of such initiatives is particularly profound for Valley residents, many of whom seek career readiness and job security in the healthcare sector—a field poised for growth in South Texas. By equipping individuals with necessary skills, the program improves employment prospects and economic resilience within the community.
Victor Perez, President/CEO of the Pharr EDC, stressed the significance of the award for the region, noting, “This award is a testament to the hard work of our Pharr EDC team and our shared commitment to creating real economic and workforce opportunities.”
Josefina Reyes, a program participant who completed her training as a vocational nurse, praised the initiative for its life-changing impact. “Thanks to this program, I now have a stable job and can support my family. It opened doors that would have been otherwise closed,” she shared.
Looking Back and Moving Forward
The Healthcare Workforce Training Initiative is not Pharr’s first significant step in economic development; it reflects a historical commitment to community-centered growth. This award marks an important milestone yet also presents a challenge: ensuring sustained momentum and adaptability.
“We need to keep the momentum going by continuously evaluating the program’s effectiveness and aligning our approach with evolving market demands,” asserted Perez. The scalable nature of this initiative offers a promising future, as other communities look to Pharr’s model as an exemplar of impactful workforce development.
Challenges and Opportunities
While the initiative’s success is noteworthy, it must be reinforced with ongoing support and strategic planning. The program’s reliance on economic development taxes and federal funding highlights the importance of diversified funding sources to ensure long-term sustainability. Additionally, capturing and applying learnings from the program can enhance its impact.
Current discussions and ongoing events across RGV highlight the enthusiasm among community leaders to capitalize on this success. Commissioner Medina underscored the importance of partnerships, saying, “Our success in Pharr is because of the collaborative spirit in our community. We hope to replicate this model in other sectors across the RGV news landscape.”
Resources for the Community
For Valley residents interested in learning more about the Healthcare Workforce Training Initiative, the Pharr EDC encourages attending information sessions held periodically. Residents can reach out to the PEDC directly through their website or contact local career centers for guidance.
In summary, the 2025 Workforce Excellence Award not only celebrates Pharr’s commitment to innovative development but also connects to the larger narrative of the RGV’s push toward sustainable economic growth. The learnings from this initiative present a valuable template for future projects across South Texas, heralding a promising era for community-driven progress.
