Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced a total of $1.5 million in grants for Starr County from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

The first grant, for $1,000,000, from the 2008 Supplemental Disaster Recovery Fund Grant, will be used to reconstruct roads in the county that were damaged by Hurricane Dolly. Repairs and constructions will take place at eight locations and will benefit 1,323 residents. The funding for this program is made available through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“When Hurricane Dolly devastated South Texas in 2008, our infrastructure suffered great damage from torrential rains and flooding,” Congressman Cuellar said. “I am thankful to Starr County Judge Eloy Vera and his dedicated team for their vision and tenacity in securing these funds and look forward to working with them on securing additional resources for South Texas.”

In fiscal year 2008, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded more than $6.1 billion to assist recovery for 2008 disasters, including Hurricanes Ike, Gustav and Dolly.

The second grant, for $500,000, will provide sewer access and services for the first time to colonia residents in Mi Ranchito and La Escondida.  The funding for this program is made available through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and will be administered by the Texas Department of Rural Affairs.

“Equally important to future infrastructure growth, I am pleased to announce funding for residents of Mi Ranchito and La Escondida who will now have access, for the first time, to sewage services in an area that has been neglected for too long. I stand with them as we work together to bring better services and living conditions to all South Texans.”
 
The scope of this program is to improve the quality of life for Texans living in colonias and this project will primarily benefit low income communities.