Congressmen Vela and Gonzalez Announce $19.4 Million in Funding for Local Projects Across South Texas
Press Release
On Wednesday, Congressmen Filemon Vela (D-TX) and Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX) voted to pass the Fiscal Year 2022 government funding package, securing $19.4 million in Community Project Funding for communities across South Texas. This funding will respond directly to some of the region's most pressing needs.
"I am proud to have supported legislation that directly impacts local projects that will make a difference in our communities, said Rep. Vela. "I've seen firsthand the hard work that these community partners dedicate to the communities that they serve, and this federal funding will provide them the opportunity to continue their mission."
"With this vote, we were able to deliver funding for vital projects that will have a direct impact on the lives of South Texans," stated Rep. Gonzalez. "I look forward to continue working with local leaders to raise the quality of life and direct additional federal funding to our region."
Representatives Vela and Gonzalez championed funding for a total of $19,490,721 in projects that will directly benefit South Texas residents. These include:
· $200,000 for the Lower Rio Grande Valley Watershed Assessment, TX; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
· $500,000 for the RGV Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer Program
· $2,000,000 for the Community Development Corporation of Brownsville for SAMANO Lofts & Armand's Market
· $1,000,000 for the Brownsville Emergency Operations Center
· $500,000 for the Brownsville Public Utilities Board for Water Treatment Plant Pump Station Improvements
· $3,500,000 for the City of Alamo for Water Treatment Plant Rehabilitation and Expansion
· $500,000 for Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX for teacher preparation and bridge programs
· $40,000 for United Way of the Crossroads, which serves Goliad, DeWitt, and portions of Gonzales, for a rural health initiative
· $304,454 for the Brooks County Veterans of Foreign Wars
· $250,000 for the City of McAllen Police Forensics Equipment
· $540,000 for the City of Alamo Police Radio Equipment
· $400,000 for the McAllen Hike and Bike Project
· $1,000,000 for the McAllen Center for Urban Ecology
· $700,000 for Jim Hogg County Street Lighting Community Improvement Project
· $350,000 for the Pacific Trails Park
· $500,000 for the Edinburg Fire Department Complex
· $3,706,267 for the North Main Drain Expansion Project
· $3,500,000 for the City of Schertz's Corbett Water Ground Storage Tank Project
The twelve-bill government funding package will help middle class families with the cost of living, create American jobs, support the vulnerable, and work to help small businesses and restaurants that are key to our economic future. Taken together, the funding for South Texas and the funding increases for critical government programs will reverse decades of disinvestment in our communities and strengthen our nation.
This legislation will be voted on by the Senate and signed into law by President Biden later this week. A detailed summary of the bill is available here.
Source