Mega Doctor News
WESLACO, Texas – October 27, 2026 – Twenty-five Weslaco residents will have their tuition and fees covered for Patient Care Technician (PCT) training through a $117,000 partnership between the Weslaco Economic Development Corporation, Workforce Solutions Lower Rio Grande Valley, and Texas Southmost College. The initiative removes a major financial barrier to career training while helping strengthen the healthcare workforce serving Weslaco and the surrounding region.
The Texas Workforce Commission, in collaboration with Workforce Solutions Lower Rio Grande Valley, Weslaco EDC, and TSC, will hold a High Demand Job Training Grant check presentation on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Weslaco City Hall, located at 255 S. Kansas Ave., Weslaco, TX 78596.
To qualify for one of the 25 funded training placements, applicants must be verified residents of the City of Weslaco and meet applicable program enrollment requirements. TSC will coordinate recruitment and enrollment with Workforce Solutions. For program information, contact TSC at 956-295-3498 or visit tsc.edu/workforce.
Healthcare support accounts for 53,880 jobs in Hidalgo County, representing 18.2% of local employment compared with 5.1% nationwide, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This investment connects workforce preparation with employment opportunities, helping residents build careers in a sector essential to the Rio Grande Valley’s economy and its families. A skilled local workforce strengthens Weslaco’s capacity to support healthcare providers, retain talent, and sustain long-term economic growth.
“This opportunity would not be possible without the valuable collaboration of Knapp Medical Center, where students receive hands-on training in the same familiar and supportive environment where they may ultimately begin their professional careers,” said Steven M. Valdez, executive director of the Weslaco EDC. “This seamless transition from classroom to workplace creates a unique opportunity for students to build confidence, develop their skills, and enter the workforce prepared for success.”
This investment in local human capital helps address the region’s growing need for healthcare professionals. For participants, it offers a pathway to practical skills and industry credentials. For healthcare providers, it helps develop a local talent pool prepared to support patient care. For Weslaco, it represents an investment in quality of life through increased wages, workforce readiness, and long-term economic opportunity.
Weslaco EDC is contributing $58,500 in local economic development funds, matched by a $58,500 Texas Workforce Commission High Demand Job Training grant administered through Workforce Solutions. The combined funding supports tuition and fees for eligible participants, along with program administration, eligibility review, and recruitment activities.
TSC will deliver the training across two cohorts at Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco, giving participants hands-on experience in a local healthcare setting. The program will prepare participants to pursue Patient Care Technician, Certified Nursing Assistant, electrocardiogram, and CPR credentials, with instruction in patient care, phlebotomy, daily living assistance, and other practical skills. Knapp’s collaboration connects classroom instruction with workplace experience, helping participants prepare for potential employment with local healthcare providers, including Knapp Medical Center.
The partnership grew from a shared goal: connecting residents with training that responds to the region’s healthcare workforce needs. Workforce Solutions and TSC developed the training proposal, with Weslaco EDC providing the local funding needed to match the grant.
By bringing the training to Weslaco, the partnership gives participants the opportunity to prepare for a new career within their own community. Developing talent locally can also help healthcare employers meet staffing needs while creating more opportunities for residents to build their futures close to home.
“We want our residents to have the opportunity to build a good career right here in Weslaco. This training can open that door, helping people provide for their families while caring for their neighbors. Knapp Medical Center’s collaboration connects hands-on training with opportunities for local employment, helping residents improve their livelihoods while strengthening Weslaco’s healthcare workforce and economy,” said Sandra Charlton, President of the Weslaco EDC Board of Directors.
Commissioner Alberto Treviño III of the Texas Workforce Commission will deliver remarks alongside Weslaco Mayor Adrian Gonzalez; Steven M. Valdez, Executive Director of Weslaco EDC; Sandra Charlton, President of the Weslaco EDC Board of Directors; Francisco Almaraz, Chief Executive Officer of Workforce Solutions; and Dr. Stella Garcia, Vice President of Institutional Advancement at TSC. Paloma Castro-Romero, Business Relations Representative for Workforce Solutions, will serve as master of ceremonies.
Through this partnership, Weslaco is investing in the people who will help care for its community while building a stronger workforce for the future.
About the Economic Development Corporation of Weslaco
The Economic Development Corporation of Weslaco is committed to fostering a vibrant and sustainable local economy by attracting new businesses, supporting existing businesses, and promoting job creation. Through its strategic initiatives, the EDC has helped transform Weslaco into a dynamic community that welcomes growth and innovation.
