Weslaco EDC and Wesalco Area Chamber of Commerce move into New Facility

The Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce (WACC) and the Economic Development Corporation of Weslaco have moved into the new Weslaco Business/Visitor Center located on the corner of Texas Boulevard and Business 83 in the center of Weslaco’s business district. The WACC is an organization whose mission is to advance the commercial, economic, civic and general interest in the Weslaco area. Its’ roots are established deep into the city’s history, the Chamber was chartered on October 21,1935 and for the last 20 years has been located at the corner of Pike Boulevard and Highway 83. The Weslaco EDC’s predecessor, the Weslaco Development Committee, was formed in the 1960’s and was originally housed with the Chamber at the Pike location. The WDC, funded with the ½ cent sales tax for economic development, moved to the former Texsun facility and that facility was retrofitted as a business incubator. The WDC merged with the Weslaco EDC recently and gave up its old quarters to a growing industry. Since, the Texsun facility has been transformed into a 40-acre college campus, South Texas College to serve the entire Mid-Valley. According to Martha Noell, President and CEO of the WACC, the new location in the center of Weslaco will help both organizations better serve the community and surrounding businesses. “We are in the heart of the business community. In becoming part of downtown we hope to draw customers, investors and visitors to the downtown area by providing visitor information services and a wide range of cultural activities for the upcoming year.” said Noell The new 12,000 sq. ft. building complex that houses the organizations offers more than just state of the art office space; it also offers the community, businesses and other organizations a place to host fairs, trade shows and seminars. The complex’s heart and soul is the 6,000 sq ft Business/Visitor Center; whose architecture brings back a taste of Weslaco’s earlier life. Beautifully built, the B/V Center’s ceiling resembles that of an early train station and the rustic tile is a delight for visitors to see. If you look closely elements of the old city hall, Cortez Hotel and feel of vintage Weslaco is present. Apart from beautiful architecture, the B/V Center also features a boardroom and a banquet room that can accommodate up to 200 people seminar style and 100 banquet style, and can also divide into two smaller rooms. The meeting space will soon offer state of the art audio/visual equipment for presentations and performances. The B/V Center will continue to help visitors with information about Weslaco, the Valley, Texas and other national and international destinations. The lobby will be fitted with large flat screen plasma televisions for visitors to view videos on the Valley, Texas and the world. The new location also offers patios that overlook Weslaco’s business district. The patio space is fenced and equipped for outdoor events. The landscaping surrounding the building complex is also unique, designed to attract butterflies and birds. Two office buildings enclose the B/V Center to each side; these buildings house the Weslaco EDC and the WACC. The buildings also feature meeting rooms and spacious offices for the organization’s needs now and towards the future. Fred McCaleb, Chairman of the WACC said the new location, aside from being a beautiful addition to downtown Weslaco, will be a great place for winter visitors and other tourist to see the growth and progression of the city. The B/V Center will have more uses other than organizational and business use; Noell said she is planning on hosting more cultural events onsite, for the community. But the move resembles more than just beautiful buildings for the organizations and a place for the community and businesses to hold events said Hernan Gonzalez, Director for the Weslaco EDC. The move, according to Gonzalez, is part of a plan to position Weslaco as a player in the new economy of the region. Gonzalez said that there is a new attitude in Weslaco; one embracing change and growth and the new location is a reflection of that. For more information call 956-968-2102, of visit the new Weslaco Business/Visitor Center at 301 W. Railroad, on the corner of N. Texas and Business 83.