THE NEWS ROOM
The News Room Section of our website will provide you with the most relevant press releases and news that has been captured via local, regional, and national outlets.
San Benito EDC Approves Legal Services Agreement
LOUIE DIAZ editor@sbnewspaper.com
September 2, 2021
The San Benito Economic Development Corporation (EDC) held a regular board meeting Wednesday, Aug. 25, and discussed a contractual agreement for legal services. Mrs. Rebeca Castillo, the Executive Director of the San Benito EDC, presented the legal services contract between the EDC and San Benito City Attorney Mark Sossi.
The legal services contract will go to the city commission at the next commission meeting to be voted on. “What was missing from the other agreement was the invoice, which ran us into a problem… so that has been addressed in this particular contract,” said city commissioner and Vice-President of the EDC Rene Garcia.
EDC board member Deborah Morales asked about what foreseeable expenses could be expected outside of the $200 fee. “I had that clause in there just in case there’s something that is really extraordinary,” Sossi answered. “I can tell you the time I’ve represented San Benito I don’t think I have ever given them a bill for expenses.” Morales also asked if the board would have to approve of attorney expenses.
Castillo answered that there is a procurement policy the EDC has. Expenses with a $1,500 threshold Castillo is authorized to approve. Anything between $1,500 and $3,000 need at least two board members to approve and anything over $3,000 needs full board approval.
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR LEGAL SERVICES
The San Benito Economic Development Corporation is soliciting for qualifications for professional legal services from candidates that have experience in economic development organizations.
Requests for Qualifications must be delivered to: Attention: Rebeca Castillo, EDC Executive Director, San Benito Economic Development Corporation, Mailing Address: 701 N. Bowie St, San Benito, TX 78586 Physical Address: 701 N. Bowie St, San Benito, TX 78586 or emailed info@sanbenitoedc.us on or before June 30, 2021 by 3:00 PM.
For RFQ Details please visit the San Benito EDC website at www.sanbenitoedc.us or contact Rebeca Castillo, Executive Director via email at info@sanbenitoedc.us
Downtown Development Committee
The Downtown Development Committee will be a working committee that will zoom in and identify the direction of how and what improvements will be undergone within the downtown area.
San Benito Downtown Committee Members:
•Constable Adrian Gonzalez, EDC Board Member
•Commissioner Pete Galvan, EDC Board Member
•Manuel De La Rosa, City Manager
•Fred Bell, Assistant City Manager
•Bernard Rodriguez, Planning and ZoningDirector
•Victoria Padron, EDC DowntownDevelopment/Marketing Coordinator
•Rebeca Castillo, EDC Executive Director
The EDC will focus on implementing the San Benito Downtown Revitalization Plan strategically. The ultimate goal is to pursue the Mainstreet District Designation from the Texas Historical Commission.
For more information please contact:
Victoria Padron, Economic & Downtown Development/Marketing Coordinator
Phone: (956) 626-1350
Email: vpadron@sanbenitoedc.us
Small Business Investment Program
Small Business Investment Program Available for Small Businesses within the San Benito City Limits
The San Benito EDC supports small business development in our community by providing rent & commercial facade improvement grants to small business owners via our Small Business Investment Program.
The eligible small businesses must be willing to open or expand within the City of San Benito City Limits, but preferably within the Downtown District.
For additional information about the Small Business Investment Program please contact:
Victoria Padron, Economic & Downtown Development/Marketing Coordinator
Phone: (956) 626-1350
Email: vpadron@sanbenitoedc.us
Cameron County Tax Office
Cameron County Tax Office to Open in San Benito
Cameron County Tax Office to open drive-thru lanes in San Benito. Drive-thru lanes are currently being remodeled and should be operational by either late February or early March.
The main building will be completely remodeled sometime this year and will house the Tax Office, Constable’s Office, Justice of the Peace and possibly other county offices.
For full article click https://myrgv.com/local-news/2021/01/13/cameron-county-tax-office-to-open-drive-thru-lanes-in-san-benito/
San Benito Sales Taxes HIT Over $5 MILLION MARK
San Benito sales taxes hit over $5 million mark
1/17/2020
By J. NOEL ESPINOZA
With nearly a half-million more in sale taxes revenues in 2019, San Benito’s economy is expanding with more businesses in the downtown area and a call center employing more than 120 employees.
Rebeca Castillo, Executive Director of the San Benito Economic Development Corporation, said 2019 has definitely been a better year than the previous one.
“We closed the year, in total up to December, in terms of activities our allocations of funds increased by half-a-million dollars compared to 2018,” Castillo said.
Castillo said the increase of sales tax revenues indicates the growing number of small businesses and a large employer that recently moved to town.
“It’s a mix-thing,” she said. “We do have over 22 more small businesses in downtown.”
With rent and facade grants available to new small businesses, Castillo said the city has been able to increase its tax coffers and provide some businesses with money to open up new ventures in the area.
“That’s been a good opportunity for small businesses to open shop,” she said. “That has created a little bit more, I guess, more options for the local community.”
According to a January 2020 sales tax report released by the Texas-State Comptroller of Public Accounts, the Resaca City took in $76,602.10 more in sales taxes last November when compared to Nov. 2018.
San Benito closed December 2019 hitting the over $5M mark, with $451,533.69 additional sales tax dollars in 2019 compared to 2018.
Editor’s note: This article has been edited for length. To read the full story, click here or make sure to grab a copy of the Jan. 17-23, 2020 issue of the NEWS.