Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX28) along with City of Peñitas Mayor Marcos Ochoa and United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development State Director Paco Valentin awarded the City of Peñitas with a $2,995,000 loan.

These funds will be used towards the reconstruction of the city’s deteriorating city hall and police department. In addition, this renovation will connect both independent facilities through a linking corridor between the two.

“Safety and justice are two prominent components needed to effectively manage a community and its people,” stated Congressman Cuellar. “This construction will undoubtedly provide the City of Peñitas’ City Hall and Police Department with an efficient work environment and necessary amenities required to properly protect and serve their community. I would like to thank USDA and Mayor Ochoa for supporting a funding that will progress and strengthen the City of Peñitas’ local government and law enforcement.” 

The city is currently delegating its governing system out of a portable building lacking adequate space and handicap accessibility. This loan will finance a new 11,200 sq. ft. City Hall building intended for city offices and a 5,640 sq ft Police Department with compartmentalized office spaces for police officials and meeting quarters for its officers. 

“The City of Penitas has experienced tremendous growth in the last several years and we anticipate the growth to continue.  The City Hall and Police Department project is critical to the city so that we can accommodate the additional staff, dispatchers and police officers needed to provide services to our growing community,” said City of Peñitas Mayor Marcos Ochoa. “The USDA officials and Congressman Cuellar have seen the overcrowded facilities we have and are aware of our growth and future growth potential and have helped us secure the much needed funding to construct facilities to allow us to service our residents.”     

In response, United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development State Director Paco Valentin stated, “We are pleased the City of Peñitas has utilized Rural Development funds for construction of a new city hall and police station, both of which will benefit the community on many levels.The new facility will provide the growing area with an updated emergency response center to ensure the safety of its rural residents, in addition to offering more adequate space for city officials to conduct business and meeting with community members.”

Also in attendance was State Representative Oscar Longoria (D-TX28) who congratulated the City of Peñitas for their local development. “I am very proud of the progress and leadership that the City Of Peñitas, city administration and council have shown these past few years,” stated State Representative Oscar Longoria. “With access to this new capital, the city will have the opportunity to expand and construct new city buildings to accommodate personnel and public access for the tremendous growth they have experienced as of late. I would like to thank Congressman Henry Cuellar, State USDA Director Paco Valentin and all the USDA and city staff for all the hard work that made all of this possible,” added Representative Longoria. “As we move forward, I urge the City Of Peñitas to look into the future and continue the great work they have been doing. I look forward to breaking ground and ribbon cutting in the years to come.”