Teclo Garcia, president and CEO of the Mission Economic Development Corporation, will retire effective Sept. 11, 2026, concluding a four-year tenure in which he says Mission attracted nearly $400 million in new investment and created about 2,000 jobs.

Internationally recognized marketing speaker and bestselling author Andrew Davis is returning to Mission to serve as the keynote speaker at the inaugural Mission Small Business Expo, a free, daylong event that connects entrepreneurs with information, resources and opportunities to grow their businesses.

Elizabeth Davis walked away with $25,000, Josh Howard earned $15,000, and Cassandra Aguillon took home $10,000 as the Ruby Red Ventures pitch competition delivered a major $50,000 boost to three Rio Grande Valley entrepreneurs during the Mission Small Business Expo.

Internationally recognized marketing speaker and bestselling author Andrew Davis is returning to Mission to serve as the keynote speaker at the inaugural Mission Small Business Expo, a free, daylong event that connects entrepreneurs with information, resources and opportunities to grow their businesses.

Mission Economic Development Corporation CEO Teclo Garcia said the experience behind The Shops at 495 is an important part of what makes the planned retail development significant for the city, pointing to Merit Commercial Real Estate’s track record in South Texas and its relationships with national retailers.

Fifteen Mission high school and college students gained firsthand workplace experience this summer through the Mission Economic Development Corporation’s inaugural Mission Ready internship program, with some participants receiving job offers after completing their internships.

Mission Economic Development Corporation has announced Lone Star National Bank as the inaugural title sponsor of the first Mission Small Business Expo, an event designed to connect local entrepreneurs with customers, resources and new markets.