FY25 Community Project Funding
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 2025 – 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.
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 and McMullen County Multiband Radio and Police Vehicle Upgrade Project
Amount of Request: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG), 2700 NE Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78217
This project would purchase mission-critical, Project 25 multiband mobile and portable radios, one Project 25 very high frequency (VHF) base station, and fully equipped police cruisers for regional law enforcement serving Atascosa and McMullen Counties. The radios will be used to provide AACOG regional law enforcement with updated equipment. The police vehicles will be used to replace outdated and unreliable vehicles.
This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will provide regional law enforcement with the necessary radio communications equipment and police cruisers to ensure the safety of the region.
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.
Bexar and Guadalupe County Multiband Radio and Police Vehicle Upgrade Project
Amount of Request: $1,300,000
Intended Recipient: Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG), 2700 NE Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78217
This project would purchase mission-critical, Project 25 multiband mobile and portable radios and fully equipped police cruisers for regional law enforcement serving Bexar and Guadalupe Counties. The radios will be used to provide AACOG regional law enforcement with updated equipment. The police vehicles will be used to replace outdated and unreliable vehicles.
This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will provide regional law enforcement with the necessary radio communications equipment and police cruisers to ensure the safety of the region.
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.
Cool Paving Pilot Program
Amount of Request: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: City of Laredo, 1110 Houston Street, Laredo, TX 78040
This project would apply cool coatings to the road surface over a roughly 30-block section of Laredo. This coating will drive down the absorptive heat in the neighborhood, lowering temperatures.
The City of Laredo experiences 170 days per year with temperatures at or above 90°F, and this number is expected to climb to over 200 days in the next three decades. This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will mitigate the effects of high temperatures for 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.
Duval County Road Improvements
Amount of Request: $1,300,000
Intended Recipient: Duval County, 400 East Gravis Avenue, San Diego, TX 78384
This project will upgrade county roads used by residents, school districts, and law enforcement personnel. The improvements would eliminate hazards and ensure the safety of the roads.
The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will make sure Duval County residents have more secure county roads by preventing accidents or mishaps due to the roads not being properly structured.
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.
Energy Transition Laboratory Equipment
Amount of Request: $1,300,000
Intended Recipient: Texas A&M International University, 5201 University Boulevard, Laredo, TX 78041
This funding will be used to establish an energy transition laboratory at Texas A&M International University that will focus on two burgeoning fields in the energy industry –Geothermal Energy and Carbon Capture and Undergrand Storage. The project will purchase specialized equipment to conduct applied research in these areas.
The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the equipment and subsequent research performed in the lab will provide benefits for the people of South Texas and the Texas economy by advancing research and teaching in energy transition and supporting the development of a skilled 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.
Gale Street Waterline Replacement Project
Amount of Request: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: City of Laredo, 1110 Houston Street, Laredo, TX 78040
This project will replace 2,140 linear feet of existing cast iron 6-inch water main along Gale Street that has surpassed its life expectancy, to 6-inch C-900 or C-905 watermain that will meet city and state standards.
The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because this specific waterline was responsible for six percent of water main breaks the city experienced in the past year. Upgrading this waterline will prevent breaks, which cause damage to streets and other public infrastructure, and would ensure uninterrupted access to water for nearby residents and businesses.
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.
InnovateED Workforce Development Program
Amount of Request: $1,200,000
Intended Recipient: St. Philip’s College, 1801 Martin Luther King Dr., San Antonio, TX 78203
The InnovateED Workforce Development Program will use funding to expand artificial intelligence and virtual reality into the college’s STEM programs to allow students to have simulated training in automotive technology curriculum, robotics programs, healthcare scenarios, and engineering fields.
This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will allow students to have hands-on workforce development training in a cost-effective and safe environment.
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 Fair Ground Improvement Project
Amount of Request: $750,000
Intended Recipient: Jim Hogg County, 102 E. Tilley, Hebbronville, TX 78361
This project will revitalize an existing but underutilized structure known as the Pavilion, situated in the southern part of Hebbronville. By transforming the Pavilion into a modern, multifunctional hub, this project aims to significantly enhance the quality of life for residents, foster community engagement, and provide essential services that are currently lacking in the area.
This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will invest in the safety, health and welfare of the residents of Jim Hogg County and its neighboring communities. The facility will provide a centralized location for community meetings, educational workshops, and serve as a shelter and food distribution center 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.
North Central Park ADA Playground
Amount of Request: $1,200,000
Intended Recipient: City of Laredo, 1110 Houston Street, Laredo, TX 78040
This project would fund improvements to Laredo’s North Central Park ADA playground. The project will include several additions to the park, such as fun pathways, sensory-rich experiences involving musical instruments, human powered electronic devices, and tunnels and hills for all to enjoy.
The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because within Texas’ 28th District, there are limited recreational offerings, both public and private, that are designed to be ADA inclusive. This project will expand the city’s inclusive playground and provide additional amenities at the park that will benefit the entire 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.
Olga V. Figueroa Zapata County Public Library Renovation
Amount of Request: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: Zapata County
This project will renovate a 41-year-old public library facility with structural and maintenance issues. Zapata County has outgrown the facility in its current state. It is not only aging but has significant structural and maintenance issues. This project will allow for comprehensive repairs to hazardous aspects of the building.
The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the improvements will create more opportunities for community engagement and improve access to high-speed Internet, meeting rooms, genealogical resources, and reading materials.
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.
Regional Security Operations Center to Northeast Lakeview College
Amount of Request: $700,000
Intended Recipient: Northeast Lakeview College, 1201 Kitty Hawk Road, Universal City, TX 78148
Funding for this project would be used to purchase equipment and renovate the Northeast Lakeview College’s campus facilities to accommodate the Regional Security Operations Center. The center will provide workplace internships for cyber defense students, strengthening the technical competencies that will allow graduates to fill employment needs in high-wage, high-demand cybersecurity occupations, and will provide real-time cybersecurity monitoring for underfunding school districts in the area.
This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will fill employment needs in high-wage, high-demand cybersecurity occupations while also providing cybersecurity resources for underfunded schools in the region.
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 Law Enforcement Equipment
Amount of Request: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: Starr County, 401 N. Britton Ave., Rio Grande City, TX 78582
Funding for this project would be used to purchase police cruisers and other law enforcement equipment to increase law enforcement capabilities in Starr County and to provide enhanced law enforcement presence in support of border security efforts.
This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because providing new equipment with up to date technology will allow for the protection and safety of both first responders and residents in Starr County.
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 Lighting Project
Amount of Request: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: Starr County, 401 N. Britton Ave., Rio Grande City, TX 78582
This project would provide desperately needed lighting for developed public rural areas that lack proper illumination. Starr County will add much needed lighting to these areas that lack proper visibility from dusk to dawn.
This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because Starr County has areas that serve as bus stops, public transportation access points and spaces for public gatherings that do not have adequate lighting infrastructure. The needed lighting would not only provide safety, but also extend hours of service for the public.
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.
Webb County Community Streetlight Project
Amount of Request: $1,300,000
Intended Recipient: Webb County, 1000 Houston Street, Laredo, TX 78040
The proposed project includes street lighting improvements to colonias located in Webb County where streetlights are lacking.
This project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because providing proper street lighting to these areas will improve the overall quality of life for these residents by increasing health and safety.
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.
Vocational Training Program Expansion
Amount of Request: $1,000,000
Intended Recipient: Laredo College, 1 West End Washington Street, Laredo, Texas 78040
This project will provide funding for facilities expansion to support programs in Plumbing Technology, Facilities Management, and Court Reporting at Laredo College. The program awards will range from One Semester Certificates, One Year Certificates and Associate of Applied Science Degree.
The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will provide vocational training to students for in-demand industries.
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.