A developer, Fluidstack, has launched the $4 billion first phase of a 1,100‑acre data‑center project east of Valley International Airport between Harlingen and Rio Hondo. The company offered Harlingen $20 million for a storm‑water discharge permit and $7 million to widen the 90‑foot canal, while commissioners consider a town‑hall meeting. Rio Grande Valley residents will note the massive data‑center plan.

East Point Energy said its 100‑megawatt battery storage plant on a six‑acre site off Grimes Street and Loop 499, south of Valley International Airport in Harlingen, is ready to power the grid and can serve up to 80,000 homes for two hours. Officials said the plant will bring $19 million in tax revenue over its 20‑ to 30‑year life, was built with fire‑department training, and Rep. Janie Lopez urged more battery projects.

Connie Nguyen, a Vietnamese immigrant who moved to the Rio Grande Valley after the 2008 financial crisis, opened Café Ngon two months ago at 700 W. Ferguson Avenue in Pharr, offering authentic Vietnamese coffee, food, snacks, sugar‑cane refreshers and ramen. The cafe’s simple menu features pictures for each item, and its location next to the highway makes it easily accessible for Valley residents seeking a new coffee spot.

Mission Economic Development Corporation CEO Telco Garcia announced he will retire effective September 11 after more than 19 years of municipal service, will take several weeks off before exploring private‑sector opportunities, and indicated the board will manage the transition.

The Edinburg Human Resources Department sent a city‑wide email to employees on Friday with insurance premium quotes that showed large increases, but city leadership said the figures were incorrect and are preparing new rates. Mayor Omar Ochoa said he took full responsibility for the error, apologized to staff, and indicated that revised rates will be released soon, though no specific date was prov

Developers of Fluidstack propose a data center campus covering hundreds of acres between Harlingen and Rio Hondo and are asking city commissioners to approve discharge of site runoff into a major canal near Valley International Airport, with Commissioner Daniel Lopez noting the 90‑foot channel may be insufficient for stormwater. Commissioners will meet in a closed session, and Fluidstack’s website

Four senior UPS drivers in Brownsville retired after long careers, with a ceremony held at the company’s distribution center that detailed each driver’s hiring dates and service history, and noted that UPS has offered buyout options as it downsizes.

The article reports that Brownsville approved a controversial $220 million deal with SpaceX to fund water‑infrastructure upgrades, which includes clauses to refund unused portions and restart payments if milestones are missed, and was tied to the disannexation of 444.45 acres approved at a special meeting; the upgrades aim to increase water capacity by up to 22.5 million gallons per day to address

The Brownsville Public Utilities Board held a closed‑session meeting in which members discussed a proposed agreement with SpaceX and a position for director of Internal Audit, took no action on these items, and the board chair deferred further questions to a spokesperson, noting the board must serve any customer within its service area, including SpaceX.

A Workforce Solutions Lower Rio Grande Valley analysis of 8,388 unemployment claims from January to March shows most unemployed workers are aged 25‑44, with a median age of 36 and 63% holding a high school diploma or less, and highlights construction as the sector with the most claims while recommending targeted up‑skilling and affordable childcare.