HARLINGEN — Ten Valley residents have been selected for special business classes by the Harlingen Economic Development Corp. as part of the Kauffman FastTrac training program.
The HEDC board Tuesday approved the applicants for virtual business training for entrepreneurs focusing on business plans, skills and insights, tools, resources and peer networks as part of the Kauffman training.
The 10 who will attend the program are Gracina Garcia, Upal Roy, Elvia Ramos, Andy Benavidez, Rebecca Rodriguez, Fred Uribe, Dani Tiscareno, Laura Castillo, Amy Cantu and Jesse James.
“We’re recommending these 10 because those are the ones we think will potentially benefit from the program more immediately,” Raudel Garza, chief executive of the HEDC, told the board. “And also, because they’re talking about opening up businesses or expanding existing businesses here in Harlingen, so that why we’ll take those 10.”
The Kauffman FastTrac courses are funded by the HEDC and operated by the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s Robert C. Vacker College of Business and Entrepreneurship. The last few classes have been virtual classes held online due to the pandemic.
“It’s been very beneficial,” Garza said. “Many of the graduates from those past programs have gone on to open businesses here in Harlingen, and I think for the cost of basically $700 per student, we’re making up for that by having these businesses come in, expand or relocate to Harlingen.”
