McAllen EDC Launches Rewards for Referrals Program

To capitalize on local knowledge and global contacts, the McAllen Economic Development Corporation has launched a new program aimed at increasing community engagement in the economic development process. Modeled after frequent flier programs from the airline industry, Rewards for Referrals encourages people from throughout our local and global community to refer a company and/or investor that has an interest in the McAllen/Reynosa market.

“We know that word of mouth and referrals remain the strongest methods of driving business,” said Keith Patridge, President/CEO of the McAllen EDC. “Many of the companies currently located in our community started as referrals from friends and business partners.”

With the onset of social media, the world literally has become one network of global connections, Patridge said, adding that McAllen EDC has promoted the program on the organization’s pages on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin. The McAllen EDC Rewards for Referrals program augments the referral process by adding small incentives at certain benchmarks of the economic development process. People who make referrals are rewarded points after several key steps in the process, which takes time and could prove challenging.

“It takes a lot of work to close a company and this program not only offers rewards for people who help us, but it provides a glimpse of what it takes to create jobs and attract new investment,” Patridge said. Since 1988, McAllen EDC has helped bring more than 600 companies to the greater McAllen and Reynosa area.

The program is open to everyone and certain regulations and restrictions apply. The program is managed online and once registered; people can access their accounts and track their progress. Rewards range from an ipad to a 42-inch flat screen television and can be cashed in at different points of the process. McAllen EDC will purchase all gifts locally.

“In addition to the rewards, which everyone enjoys, we are engaging our community and working together to make our city better,” Patridge said. “It could be difficult and take some time, but just like our new referral program; economic development offers great rewards in the end like jobs, more wealth and a better city to be in.”

For more information, visit rewards.mcallenedc.org or call a McAllen EDC business development specialist at (956) 682.2875.