Congressman Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, held a news conference on Thursday to announce federal funds for Zapata County.

The congressman announced $2,750,000 in federal funds to Zapata County for their recovery efforts in their pandemic.

Cuellar also announced $18,272,000 in federal funds for schools throughout the Zapata County Independent School District so they can work to safely reopen.

“I met constituents and local officials in Zapata to highlight the vital resources that families will receive from the American Rescue Plan. I will continue to work hard for the people of Zapata, and the rest of South Texas, to ensure this relief quickly reaches those most in need,” the congressman said in a statement.

The Department of Treasury will issue guidance detailing its interpretation and implementation of eligible uses, but the statutory language specifically authorizes use of the funds. Each of the following is a separate allowable use of the funds for the recipient:

• To respond to the pandemic or its negative economic impacts, including assistance to households, small businesses, and nonprofits, or aid to impacted industries such as tourism, travel, and hospitality.

• For premium pay to eligible workers performing essential work (as determined by each recipient government) during the pandemic, providing up to $13 per hour above regular wages.

• For the provision of government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue due to the pandemic (relative to revenues collected in the most recent full fiscal year prior to the emergency).

• To make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure;

Regarding funds for the school district, of the total amount allocated to a local educational agency, the agency must reserve at least 20 percent of funds to address learning loss through the implementation of evidence-based interventions and ensure that those interventions respond to students’ social, emotional, and academic needs and address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on underrepresented student subgroups (each major racial and ethnic group, children from low-income families, children with disabilities, English learners, gender, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, and children and youth in foster care).

Remaining funds may be used for a wide range of activities to address needs arising from the coronavirus pandemic. Funds also may be used to develop strategies and implement public health protocols including, to the greatest extent practicable, policies in line with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on reopening and operating schools to effectively maintain the health and safety of students, educators, and other staff, according to officials.

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