Laredo, TX – Today, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.5 million federal grant to the City of Laredo to help build a two-mile road as part of the Springfield Avenue Extension.

This grant will help boost business and job growth in the region by providing a new commercial route to serve approximately 170-acres of industrial land. The EDA investment will be matched with $375,000 in local funds.

“The U.S. Department of Commerce is awarding the City of Laredo with $1.5 million to support business development, and job growth, as part of the Springfield Avenue Expansion. Specifically, this funding will be used to extend a road almost 2 miles and support hundreds of temporary jobs,” said Congressman Cuellar. “I will always fight for additional federal funding that brings jobs, and business opportunities, to my hometown. Thank you to Secretary Raimondo, Assistant Secretary Castillo, and our local Laredo leaders, for their continued support of South Texas development.”

                                                                                                 

“President Biden is committed to ensuring that our communities are provided with the resources they need to diversify and grow their economies,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo.“This EDA project will spur private investment and job creation in Laredo.”

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in advancing locally-led economic development strategies that drive critical business expansion efforts to create stronger, more resilient regional economies,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will advance Laredo’s Springfield Avenue Extension project to position the region for future economic success.”

The Springfield Avenue Extension Project is a four (4) phase project that will connect Springfield Ave from Del Mar to Loop 20.

This funding will be used to help construct and develop Phase 2 of the project – nearly 2 miles of new road and infrastructure connecting Springfield Ave between International and Shiloh. This new road is a vital component to economic development and job creation in North Laredo where transportation, logistics and commercial development continue to expand.

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the South Texas Development Council (STDC). EDA funds STDC to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.

To learn more about the U.S. Economic Development Administration, visit www.eda.gov.

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