Cortez: RGV in the running for an $85 million Department of Commerce grant
EDINBURG, Texas - The four counties of the Rio Grande Valley have come together to apply for what could be the biggest federal grant ever awarded to the region - $85 million.
Brief details of the $200 million Recompete Pilot Program were referenced by Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez during a press conference held by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance on Monday, Oct. 9.
And in a later interview with the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service, Cortez said the Valley entities that have come together to apply for the Recompete grant are hoping to secure $85 million. He said the entity taking the lead on the grant application is UT-Rio Grande Valley and specifically its associate vice president for workforce and economic development, Ron Garza.
The Guardian learned about the Valley’s application for the Recompete grant after reporter had asked Cornyn if he could help Cortez with one of the top issues identified by the Hidalgo County Prosperity Task Force - improving public transportation in the Valley’s colonias. The task force is addressing the high level of poverty in the county.
Cornyn appeared to misunderstand the question and started to talk about immigration. The reporter pointed out that the question was not about immigration but rather infrastructure. So, Cornyn asked Cortez to answer it.
“The Senator has said the government cannot do everything and we have to look at ourselves to do things. One of the things we're going to do here in Hidalgo County, Cameron County, Willacy County and Starr County is invest in ourselves,” Cortez said.
Cortez said the Prosperity Task Force’s studies have shown that part of the problem in getting the people of Hidalgo County trained to have a good education is lack of transportation.
“We're not going to solve the problem here today,” Cortez said. “But, I can tell you that this Senator, right next to me here, is always willing to sit down with us and help us.
“He was he was approached earlier today about the Recompete grant that's coming up with the Department of Commerce. So please take a look at that and help us with that because we made an application for that grant. That would go a long way in helping us with the problem (public transportation in the Valley’s colonias) that you just mentioned.”
Cornyn responded: “We're happy to help, Judge.”
Editor's Note: Click here to read the full story in the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service.
Editor's Note: The audio recording below features Sen. Cornyn and Judge Cortez discussing the possibility of public transportation in Valley colonias; an interview with Cortez about the Recomplete Pilot Program; and an interview with Cortez at an affordable housing project groundbreaking ceremony with Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham where he confirms that public transportation in colonias is a top priority for the Hidalgo County Prosperity Task Force.
To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.