Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28) and the North American Development Bank (NADBank) announced $835,000 in federal grant funding for the City of Roma.

“One of my priorities in Congress is to expand and enhance our infrastructure in South Texas. The two federal grants announced today strengthen waste collection and disposal services in Roma, and assess the modernization of the Roma-Miguel Aleman International Suspension Bridge. Both awards improve quality of life and ensure Roma and Starr County have the tools to continue growing,” said Dr. Cuellar, a Senior Member of the House Appropriations Committee. “In FY23, I secured $3,000,000 in the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Agencies appropriations bill for NADBank’s CAP and TAP to support critical environmental infrastructure in southern border communities. We’re seeing the results of that today. Thank you to Eloy Vera, Starr County Judge, Jaime Escobar, Jr., Roma Mayor, and John Beckham, Managing Director of NADBank, for working with me to deliver for Roma and Starr County.”

“We were pleased to award these funds to the City of Roma for a trash compactor that will maintain the optimum life of their landfill and now support rehabilitation of the international suspension bridge that was built in 1928,” said John Beckham, Managing Director of NADBank. “These grants are part of the Bank’s Community Assistance and Technical Assistance Programs that help border communities and project sponsors build more sustainable border infrastructure. Finally, I would like to extend my gratitude to Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D., and Senator John Cornyn for securing funds through the State Department for these programs that complement NADBank’s own contributions.”

“The restoration of the Roma- Miguel Aleman suspension bridge is an endeavor that will bring new life to this national historic landmark and will positively impact our local economy on multiple fronts. I am sincerely grateful to Congressman Cuéllar for securing funding for this much needed project and we look forward to seeing the entire project come to fruition in the near future,” said Mayor of the City of Roma, Jaime Escobar Jr. “The assistance provided by NADBank for the acquisition of a new compactor for our landfill is evidence of the impact institutions as such have on small communities. We will keep working to match federal and state funds to the most urgent needs of our community!”

$450,000 were provided by NADBank’s Community Assistance Program (CAP) to purchase a new landfill compactor. The remaining $385,000 have been provided by NADBank’s Technical Assistance Program (TAP) for ongoing studies in Mexico related to the rehabilitation of the International Suspension Bridge between Roma and Miguel Aleman.

Dr. Cuellar is a strong supporter of infrastructure in Roma and Starr County. Last year, he announced $1,500,000 in federal funds for the Roma Las Americas Logistics and Industrial Park. In FY22, he secured $5,000,000 in Congressionally-directed funding to help restore the Roma-Miguel Aleman International Suspension Bridge.

###