Season 2, Episode 4 - Quality Of Life, Your Sales Tax At Work (Cori Peña) скачать в хорошем качестве

Season 2, Episode 4 - Quality Of Life, Your Sales Tax At Work (Cori Peña)

What happens to our local sales-tax dollars, and how does that investment actually show up in your everyday life? In this episode of Brownsville at Large, Commissioner Tino Villarreal Jr. sits down with Cori Peña, President & CEO of the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC), one of the City of Brownsville’s two economic development organizations (Type B EDC). Cori breaks down what BCIC funds, how it differs from the Type A EDC, and why BCIC’s Strategic Plan through 2029 matters for the future of our city from parks, recreation, downtown revitalization, and “placemaking” projects to entrepreneurship programs, grants, and financing for local small businesses. You’ll also hear real examples of impact like how BCIC helped expand community services, support major quality-of-life projects, and even pivoted during COVID to help keep local businesses from closing. Highlights in this episode: • What BCIC is and how it’s funded • Strategic Plan through 2029 (built from community input) • Quality of life projects + why they matter • Downtown investment + the BIG Grant • The eBridge Center: a one-stop hub for entrepreneurs • 1 Million Cups (Wednesdays at 9AM) + RGV Startup Week • How residents can stay informed, attend meetings, and share ideas 0:00 — Welcome + who BCIC is: Tino introduces Cori Peña and BCIC’s role in Brownsville’s growth and quality-of-life investments. 1:15 — Icebreakers (get to know Cori): Coffee, tacos, music, family life, fears, and what drives her leadership. 11:16 — “This is NOT a gossip podcast”: Tino explains the show’s mission, community information, not “gotcha” content. 12:29 — What BCIC does (Type B EDC): Quality of life, placemaking, and entrepreneurship vs. Type A’s focus on primary jobs/industry. 14:30 — Why the strategic plan matters (through 2029): Community-driven priorities shaped by input from 200+ residents and stakeholders. 16:12 — What the community is saying: Culture + people as strengths; concerns around wages, stability, housing, and avoiding displacement. 19:15 — BCIC impact + proud projects: Nearly $75M invested; zoo zipline sustainability, Moody Clinic upgrades, parks/restrooms, lighting, splash pads. 23:21 — Downtown + entertainment strategy: Preservation, restoration, activation and creating safe, multi-generational spaces. 26:17 — eBridge Center (entrepreneurship hub): One-stop shop with UTRGV partnership, workshops, Startup Week, 1 Million Cups, and financing support. 37:33 — Accountability + call to action: How residents can track impact, attend meetings, sign up for the newsletter, and bring ideas to BCIC. Get involved: Visit BCIC’s website, explore current programs/grants, and sign up for the weekly newsletter to stay updated. If you found this episode valuable, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who cares about Brownsville’s future. #BrownsvilleAtLarge #Brownsville #BCIC #EconomicDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #DowntownBrownsville #QualityOfLife #RGV #Community