Referrals program aims to draw businesses to McAllen

McALLEN — The city is hoping a new push could create more jobs in McAllen by luring more business — and some people could walk away with rewards for helping.

The McAllen Economic Development Corp. plans to give participants incentives for providing suggestions for companies that could be interested in doing business in the McAllen area under a new program dubbed "Rewards for Referrals." If a referral leads to a new business in McAllen — and ultimately, new jobs — participants are eligible for rewards such as entertainment systems, flat-screen televisions and e-book readers.

"Years ago, there were four or five media sources where we could go advertise for companies who want to relocate here," said Keith Patridge, president and chief executive officer of the McAllen Economic Development Corp., referring to local business magazines. "Now, with the Internet, there are so many sources out there to choose from. Where do you put your money?"

The development corporation created the incentive program with the idea that people outside of the business community would help the city develop relationships with companies that could be a good fit for McAllen.

Since the program started early this month, the development corporation has received six referrals —one of which led to a meeting between the EDC and Supra Desarrollos, a Monterrey-based company that manufactures electrical equipment.

"It’s something people can do if they have a compadre or a friend that they want to tell the EDC about," said Javier Martinez, who recommended Supra Desarrollos. "They can also win small prizes, so it’s a win-win situation."

Martinez, assistant director the University of Texas-Pan American’s Small Business Development Center, was among the first to participate in the program.

Applicants are asked to sign up for the rewards program online, where they can submit an unlimited number of entries. Acceptable businesses can vary by industry, such as manufacturing, retail and warehousing.

"We’re not limiting what … they suggest," said Victoria Hirschberg, marketing director for the McAllen Development Corp. "We’ll verify their information, decide whether it’s legit or not and take it from there."

Those who refer legitimate referrals can accrue "points" with the development corporation, redeemable for several electronic devices. An Amazon Kindle, for example, is worth 200 points.

Not everyone who participates will win rewards. The amount of points accrued is based on whether a business venture comes to fruition based on the suggestion provided by the participant.

"Referrals have always worked," Hirschberg said. "We just wanted to make it a little more fun."

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Ana Ley covers business and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4428.

ON THE WEB: To register for the Rewards for Referrals program, visit rewards.mcallenedc.org