Rep. Henry Cuellar has submitted the following funding requests for important community projects in TX-28 to the House Appropriations Committee. Projects are listed in alphabetical order.
Under guidelines issued by the Appropriations Committee, each Representative may request funding for up to 15 projects in their community for fiscal year 2024 – although only a handful may actually be funded. Projects are restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities are permitted to receive funding. Representatives must also provide a written statement describing the federal nexus for each Community Project Funding request. Additional information on the reforms governing Community Project Funding is available here.
In compliance with House Rules and Committee requirements, Rep. Cuellar has certified that he, his spouse, and his immediate family have no financial interest in any of the projects he has requested.
Atascosa County Emergency Medical Service Center
Amount of Request: $2,250,000
Intended Recipient: Atascosa County, 1 Courthouse Circle Drive, Jourdanton, Texas 78026
The project will fund the construction of a new Emergency Medical Service Center in Atascosa County. The center will house EMS units and the county’s Emergency Management Office. As the population in Atascosa County increases, the county has seen the need for a new Emergency Medical Services Center increase. The Emergency Medical Service Center would allow the county to more quickly respond to calls throughout the southern and western portion of the county.
This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the center will allow the county to better respond to medical emergencies and disasters, ensuring the safety of a rapidly growing population.
View Rep. Cuellar's signed certification letter stating there is no financial interest in the project and describing the federal nexus of the project here.
Duval County Community Center Improvements
Amount of Request: $1,350,000
Intended Recipient: Duval County, 401E Gravis, San Diego, Texas 78384
The project will fund the renovation of five Duval County community civic centers by installing new air conditioning and heating units, roof replacements, generators, and kitchen equipment.
This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the county’s community centers provide essential services to residents, including serving as the location of senior meal program distributions, emergency shelters and warming areas during inclement weather, and general places for the community to gather and host meetings.
View Rep. Cuellar's signed certification letter stating there is no financial interest in the project and describing the federal nexus of the project here.
El Cenizo Street Improvements Project
Amount of Request: $2,000,000
Intended Recipient: Webb County, 1000 Houston Street Laredo, Texas 78040
This project will fund improvements to streets within the community of El Cenizo. The project is needed because these streets are currently in a state of disrepair and prone to flooding. Heavy rainfall makes streets impassable for both residents and emergency vehicles. This project would directly benefit the City of El Cenizo by providing safe and decent streets for residents.
This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will enhance the safety of residents by eliminating fissures and ensuring streets are passable during inclement weather.
View Rep. Cuellar's signed certification letter stating there is no financial interest in the project and describing the federal nexus of the project here.
Growing San Antonio Apprenticeships
Amount of Request: $2,000,000
Intended Recipient: City of San Antonio, 100 W. Houston St., San Antonio, TX 78205
This project will provide funding for equipment to enhance apprenticeship programs available through the City of San Antonio’s Ready to Work initiative. The equipment will be used by existing apprenticeship training programs that serve young people, support workers who were laid off from their jobs, and provide career pathways for individuals with barriers to employment.
This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will help close the persistent skills gap that exists in the South Texas workforce. The program will equip residents with the skills needed to succeed and fill in-demand jobs, while improving the overall economic development of the community.
View Rep. Cuellar's signed certification letter stating there is no financial interest in the project and describing the federal nexus of the project here.
Infrastructure for Las Americas Logistics and Industrial Park
Amount of Request: $1,900,000
Intended Recipient: City of Roma, 201 W. Convent Blvd., Roma, TX 78584
This project will fund infrastructure improvements to the City of Roma’s 328-acre industrial park. Specifically, the project will provide street, drainage, lighting, water and wastewater, gas, electricity, and telecommunications improvements to the area.
This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because these infrastructure improvements will encourage industrial growth in the area and lead to high-wage jobs for nearby residents.
View Rep. Cuellar's signed certification letter stating there is no financial interest in the project and describing the federal nexus of the project here.
Jim Hogg County Emergency Response Center
Amount of Request: $2,250,000
Intended Recipient: Jim Hogg County, 102 E. Tilley Street, Hebbronville, Texas 78361
The project will fund the construction of an emergency response center that will provide fire-based and emergency medical services for Jim Hogg County residents.
This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because Jim Hogg County residents are currently located approximately 33-54 miles away from the nearest medical facility and this emergency response center will provide critical emergency and medical services to residents in a more timely manner. This center would enhance the safety of the residents of rural Jim Hogg County, as well as the surrounding areas.
View Rep. Cuellar's signed certification letter stating there is no financial interest in the project and describing the federal nexus of the project here.
McMullen Fairgrounds Improvement Project
Amount of Request: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: McMullen County, 501 River Street, P.O Box 237, Tilden, Texas 78072
This project will fund improvements to the county’s fairgrounds, including upgrades to the facility’s pavilion, arena area, and animal barns. These improvements will allow for increased participation at local events while providing much-needed safety and security upgrades for livestock, participants, and visitors.
This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the fairgrounds host multiple 4-H and Future Farmer of America events for local middle and high school students. These events provide numerous educational benefits, including animal husbandry, leadership, and public relations skills.
View Rep. Cuellar's signed certification letter stating there is no financial interest in the project and describing the federal nexus of the project here.
Police Cruiser Upgrades for Guadalupe County Law Enforcement
Amount of Request: $3,000,000
Intended Recipient: Guadalupe County, 101 E. Court St. Suite 300, Seguin, Texas 78155
This project will fund the purchase of new police cruisers for city and county law enforcement serving the western portion of Guadalupe County.
This request is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will provide additional patrol vehicles needed by Guadalupe County law enforcement agencies to respond to emergency calls and ensure the safety of the community. Guadalupe County has experienced rapid population growth, which has required law enforcement agencies to respond to more calls and has stretched resources intended to serve a much smaller population.
View Rep. Cuellar's signed certification letter stating there is no financial interest in the project and describing the federal nexus of the project here.
San Antonio Water System Generators for Critical Infrastructure
Amount of Request: $2,000,000
Intended Recipient: San Antonio Water System, 2800 U.S. Hwy 281 North, San Antonio, TX 78212
This project will provide backup generators for system pump stations to ensure pumps stay online during extreme weather events or other emergencies.
This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will ensure that the citizens of San Antonio and Bexar County will have access to clean and safe drinking water during severe weather-related incidents, like 2021’s Winter Storm Uri, and other emergencies.
View Rep. Cuellar's signed certification letter stating there is no financial interest in the project and describing the federal nexus of the project here.
Starr County Juvenile Housing and Rehabilitation Center
Amount of Request: $4,000,000
Intended Recipient: County of Starr, 401 N. Britton Avenue, Rio Grande City, Texas 78582
The project will fund a new Starr County Juvenile Housing and Rehabilitation Center. Starr County’s current juvenile housing facilities are outdated and inadequate. This project would provide a new center to rehabilitate and house juveniles.
This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would provide Starr County and nearby counties with a facility to house juveniles while providing them with the support services needed for successful reentry and reduced recidivism.
View Rep. Cuellar's signed certification letter stating there is no financial interest in the project and describing the federal nexus of the project here.
State Highway 359 Colonias Street Improvements Project
Amount of Request: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: Webb County, 1000 Houston Street, Laredo, Texas 78040
This project would pave and improve draining on roads located in the San Carlos I & II, Tanquecitos I, and Los Altos colonias in Webb County, Texas. These roads are currently impassable by residential and emergency vehicles during inclement weather.
The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it would address the safety issues caused by the current conditions of the streets in these colonias. This project would ensure the safety of residents by enabling travel during heavy rainfall or other inclement weather.
View Rep. Cuellar's signed certification letter stating there is no financial interest in the project and describing the federal nexus of the project here.
Texas A&M International University - Laredo College STEM Connector
Amount of Request: $1,269,470
Intended Recipient: Texas A&M International University, 5201 University Boulevard, Laredo, TX 78041
This project will create a pipeline in the field of Systems Engineering between Laredo College and Texas A&M International University from the associates to master’s level degree programs through coordinated curriculum and computing technology.
This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will support science education, research, and technology development related to NASA’s mission. It will also prepare students at Laredo College and Texas A&M International University with the skills needed to enter the aerospace engineering workforce.
View Rep. Cuellar's signed certification letter stating there is no financial interest in the project and describing the federal nexus of the project here.
Veteran’s Center of Excellence
Amount of Request: $1,400,000
Intended Recipient: Laredo College, West End Washington Street, Laredo, Texas 78040
This project will fund renovations to Laredo College’s Guard House building to create a fully equipped Veteran’s Center of Excellence, which will provide career, academic, and financial counseling to veterans.
The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will provide local veterans and their dependents with the tools needed to succeed academically and in the workforce.
View Rep. Cuellar's signed certification letter stating there is no financial interest in the project and describing the federal nexus of the project here.
Zacate Creek Restoration
Amount of Request: $2,447,664
Intended Recipient: City of Laredo, 1110 Houston Street, Laredo, TX 78040
This project will fund the rehabilitation and preservation of a critical section of Zacate Creek by removing invasive species, repopulating the area with native tree canopies, and improving the creek’s hydrology.
This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the restoration project will protect the city’s natural resources by providing an ideal habitat for native plant and animal species and ensuring the city’s water resources are preserved for future generations.
View Rep. Cuellar's signed certification letter stating there is no financial interest in the project and describing the federal nexus of the project here.
Zapata County 4-H Rodeo Arena
Amount of Request: $2,000,000
Intended Recipient: Zapata County, 200 E. 7th Ave., Ste. 115, Zapata, TX 78076
This project will renovate the Zapata County 4-H Rodeo Arena’s facilities, including the construction of an all-weather roping arena, and other structural upgrades.
The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the renovations will allow the facility to increase its usage by students and the general community. With an updated facility for the youth in Zapata, and surrounding rural areas, students will be able to gain valuable leadership and animal husbandry skills. Additionally, the county will be able to use the facility as a staging ground for food distribution, emergency aid, or as part of the county’s planning and response system to address livestock needs during emergencies.
View Rep. Cuellar's signed certification letter stating there is no financial interest in the project and describing the federal nexus of the project here.
