BCIC Staff Spotlight – Astrid Rosales, Business Development & Entrepreneurship Officer
BCIC’s Business Development and Entrepreneurship Officer, Astrid Rosales, brings a bright, community-minded approach to her work. She’s focused on helping Brownsville’s entrepreneurs and small businesses grow in a way that lifts everyone: owners, employees, and families alike. Marketing Specialist Rudy Hinojosa sat down with her to learn how she’s approaching the job and what she’s […]
Applications Open for the 2026 Frontera Leadership Institute Cohort
Brownsville, Texas – Oct 1, 2025 — The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) and LMNTS announced that applications are open for the 2026 cohort of the Frontera Leadership Institute (FLI). This three-month, hands-on program equips young entrepreneurs from Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley with practical leadership training and product management skills. The application deadline […]
BCIC Earns 3 More IEDC Excellence Awards, Extends Lead as the RGV’s Most Awarded Economic Development Organization
August 21, 2025, Brownsville, Texas. The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) has earned three more honors in the International Economic Development Council’s 2025 Excellence Awards, recognizing continued strength in marketing, innovative financing, and impact storytelling. These wins bring BCIC’s total IEDC Excellence Awards since 2021 to a total of thirteen, solidifying BCIC as the Rio […]
BCIC Adopts Visionary 2025–2029 Strategic Plan to Drive Brownsville’s Future
Wednesday, August 6, 2025 – BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS – The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) has adopted its 2025-2029 Strategic Plan. The planning process began in early 2024 and was shaped by input from community voices, including entrepreneurs, educators, artists, students, residents, and civic leaders through focus groups, public forums, and stakeholder interviews. Their feedback highlighted […]
Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation’s CEO & President Cori Peña Named 2025 RGV LEAD Moms & Industry Honoree
Brownsville, TX — Friday, May 9, 2025 — The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) proudly announces that President & CEO Cori Peña has been named a 2025 Moms & Industry honoree by RGV LEAD. This distinguished recognition celebrates women leading innovation in their industries while raising and inspiring the next generation. Cori Peña will […]
Nathan Burkhart Receives the 40 Under 40 in Economic Development Award
Brownsville, TEXAS – Nathan Burkhart, Vice President for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC), has been announced as a recipient of the 2025 Economic Development 40 Under 40 Award, the biennial award recognizing rising stars under 40 years old in the economic development industry. The awards program is hosted by Development […]
Startup Texas Pitch Fest Debuts February 6 at eBridge Center
The Startup Texas Pitch Fest is set to take place on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at the eBridge Center for Business and Commercialization in Brownsville, Texas. Organized by the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) in partnership with UTRGV Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center (ECC), the event will feature live business pitches, networking, local food and music, […]
Brownsville Businesses Get Help Securing Government Contracts (City of Brownsville)
The following was originally published by City of Brownsville The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC) recently partnered with Prairie View A&M University Extension to host an informational seminar aimed at helping local business owners compete for government contracts. The seminar focused on the Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Certification Program, an initiative by the State of […]
Li: Join America’s Additive Foundry Consortium’s journey towards tech-driven entrepreneurial success (Rio Grande Guardian)
The following was originally published by Rio Grande Guardian Dr. James Li is president and endowed professor of manufacturing engineering at UT-Rio Grande Valley and director at I-DREAM4D and America’s Additive Foundry Consortium. America’s Additive Foundry Consortium was created and is supported by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation. Li […]
Amor y Pan Gains Recognition
By: Ricardo Cavazos, VBR content editor Becoming an entrepreneur and starting a business during a pandemic has taught Karina Saldivar some valuable lessons while deepening her appreciation for local support of small businesses. . The latter has been vital for the success of her business, Amor y Pan. The bakery and store promotes healthy living […]