As the economy went down-- jobs have been hard to come by but there is a group of people that have hope.

The group meets with the Pharr Chamber of Commerce where they’re enrolled in a class at the Pharr Literacy Project that give them access to resources to start their own business.

Organizers are hoping that they will later start a business and contribute to the Rio Grande Valley's economic growth.

Alejandro Alaniz told Action 4 News that he wants to start a business focusing on energy and environmental design.

"They're very motivating and it helps us guides us towards the right direction,” Alaniz said.

Participant Edgar Garcia said he already has a business in Mexico but wants to expand it here in the Valley repairing electronics.

Adam Cameron says he wants to start a self defense business.

"I'm tired of really working for other people especially in our time now, it’s kind of hard to find a job,” Cameron County said.

Pharr Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Luis Bazan said building these businesses could help bring economic growth to the Valley.

"These small businesses those are the back bone,” Bazan. “Those are going to be the backbone of the economy. They always have. They make up the biggest part of percentages of businesses that are actually hiring."