Congressman Gonzalez Announces $1.8 Million for McAllen Center for Urban Ecology

Press Release

Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced $1.8 million in federal funding for the McAllen Center for Urban Ecology awarded by the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Recovery Assistance.

The city of McAllen, Texas, will receive an $1.8 million EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to construct an education and training center at the Center for Urban Ecology which will offer programs in entrepreneurship, small business recovery and resiliency, and workforce development. The project, to be matched with $1 million in local funds, is expected to create 700 jobs and generate $35 million in private investment.

"As our workforce recovers from the pandemic, the McAllen Center for Urban Ecology will be a major player in sustainable development and drive job growth in South Texas," said Congressman Gonzalez. "I am proud to lend federal support to such a forward thinking project that will spur our economy and create good paying jobs."

"This facility, to be constructed at our world-famous Quinta Mazatlán, will not only help spur the economy, but also will help spur a real understanding of the importance of our environment for our community," said McAllen Mayor Jim Darling. "The benefit is beyond just an economic impact, as this will help to develop a generation of McAllen residents, and beyond, that will help care for and preserve our environment for generations to come and that is absolutely priceless."

"President Biden is dedicated to creating new opportunities to get Americans back to work following the pandemic," said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. "These EDA investments will support new workforce development programs in Texas, including an automotive technology workforce training facility and professional development courses in entrepreneurship, training Americans for well-paying, quality jobs."

"The Economic Development Administration is committed to helping communities across the nation implement strategies to mitigate economic hardships brought on by the coronavirus pandemic," said Dennis Alvord, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. "These EDA investments will provide the infrastructure needed to create workforce training programs in Texas to build a stronger, more resilient regional economy."

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