HARLINGEN, Texas — Civil engineering firm Garver joined forces with local community and business leaders on Thursday to celebrate the grand opening of its new regional office — a $5 million investment expected to spur further economic development across the Rio Grande Valley.
City and regional officials, including Harlingen Mayor Norma Sepulveda and Harlingen Economic Development Corporation (EDC) CEO Orlando Campos, gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house at the new 25,000-square-foot facility.
The state-of-the-art office consolidates Garver’s operations in Harlingen and serves as a regional hub to support infrastructure projects throughout South Texas and beyond.
Garver first established its Harlingen Water Design Center in 2017 with a small local team. Over the past nine years, the multidisciplinary center — focused on the planning, design, construction, and operation of water and wastewater treatment facilities — has grown to 54 employees.
The new space provides capacity for up to 100 staff members, positioning the firm to create up to 50 additional high-paying engineering and technical jobs in the area.
"When we started in Harlingen nearly a decade ago, we were a much smaller team. We've grown because of the talented people we've been able to hire and the relationships we've built throughout the Valley," said Ernie Flores, manager of the Garver Water Design Center. "This new office gives us room to keep growing while continuing to serve our clients and support a community that has been incredibly welcoming to us."
Here is a video interview with Ernie Flores:
GARVER HARLINGEN EXPANSION AT A GLANCE
• Investment: $5 million
• Facility Size: 25,000 square feet
• Current Workforce: 54 employees
• Projected Job Growth: Up to 50 new jobs (100 total capacity)
• Location: 70-acre mixed-use development near the Harlingen Medical District
The facility serves as the anchor tenant for a broader 70-acre mixed-use development situated near Harlingen's medical district. Developed in partnership with the Harlingen EDC and the City of Harlingen, the master-planned area is slated to feature retail, medical, professional office space, high-density residential housing, and approximately 312,000 square feet of commercial space.
Harlingen EDC CEO Orlando Campos praised the firm's continued commitment to the region, noting that the project will act as a major catalyst for growth along one of the city's primary commercial corridors.
"Garver’s decision to continue investing in Harlingen demonstrates confidence in our community, our workforce, and our future," Campos said. "This project strengthens our local economy, creates high-quality jobs, and serves as a catalyst for additional development in one of the city's key growth corridors.”
Mayor Sepulveda emphasized the impact of public-private partnerships in bringing high-tech engineering jobs to the Rio Grande Valley.
"This investment is a testament to what can be accomplished when the public and private sectors work together with a shared vision," Sepulveda said. "Garver has become an important corporate partner in our community and we are excited to celebrate its continued growth in Harlingen."
Beyond infrastructure design and economic growth, Garver has made significant community investments in South Texas. The firm has contributed more than $59,000 in local donations to area grade schools, colleges, and nonprofits, with a primary focus on boosting science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education for K-12 and postsecondary students across the Valley.
Editor's Note: Here, below, is an audio recording of remarks made from the podium at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Among the speakers were Harlingen Mayor Norma Sepulveda, state Rep. Janie Lopez of San Benito, Harlingen Economic Development Corporation CEO Orlando Campos, Ernie Flores, manager of Garver Water Design Center, and Garver CEO Brock Hoskins.
