Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced today that counties that were named disaster areas in the wake of Hurricane Alex have been given priority status to acquire federally-owned reconstruction equipment at discounted rates.

“Every penny counts, especially in rough economic times like these when families and communities are really feeling the pinch,” said Congressman Cuellar. “When it comes to natural disasters, we need all hands on deck in order to start rebuilding.”


On August 3, 2010, President Obama declared nine counties in southern Texas (including Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Starr, Webb and Zapata) disaster areas, making the local governments eligible for federal funds to repair and reconstruct their communities. Under the presidential disaster declaration, the Texas Facilities Commission (TFC) also can request “priority screening” status from the General Services Administration, an agency that oversees the surplus of federally-owned heavy equipment through the Federal Surplus Property Program. 


The TFC has now been granted “priority screening” status and they are urgently gathering surplus equipment from across the country to distribute to hurricane-affected areas. Under priority status, these communities can acquire supplies, such as tractors, road graders, bulldozers, generators and water purification systems for a fraction of market value and the costs of shipping.   
   

Cities, counties or non-profit organizations that assist Texans displaced by Hurricane Alex, that would like to request equipment through the Federal Surplus Property program, contact FSP manager at the Texas Facilities Commission Greg Conn, at  Gregory.Conn@tfc.state.tx.us.