Academy Sports and Outdoors has expanded to Weslaco, and that has residents excited about how the store could help the economy.
In celebration of its expansion Academy awarded 20 kids from Weslaco ISD a 100 dollar gift card.
"I felt happy when they told me, and I couldn't stop smiling," said Elisa Escamilla.
The kids got the gift card to shop for equipment to help them with their favorite sport.
"I just can't stop thinking about it," said Leonel Salazar.
But it's not just free stuff that has these Rio Grande Valley residents excited.
This expansion is bringing approximately 150 jobs to Weslaco with workers from all across the Valley.
"We have from Edcouh-Elsa, Mercedes, La Feria, Donna...surrounding towns also," said Rick Castillo the store director.
Valley residents said they're excited about the job creations, but they also hope that this store will bring more businesses to the Valley.
"Any time you see a big business like this opening up, you see others that follow and they'll notice the area if they're successful and I'm sure they will be," said Jaime Vasquez, a coach at F.D. Rosevelt Elementary.
The store opens their doors March 4.
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