Congressman Gonzalez Applauds U.S. Department of Commerce Investment of $1.5 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Support Business and Job Growth in the Rio Grande Valley 

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) applauded the announcement by U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gina M. Raimondo, of $1.5 million in American Rescue Plan grants by the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) to support Texas as it recovers from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The City of McAllen, Texas, will receive a $1.5 million EDA American Rescue Plan grant for critical infrastructure to support the new McAllen Business-Industrial Park. The project will be matched with $3 million in local funds and is expected to create 665 jobs, retain 185 jobs, and generate $85 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

"President Biden is committed to providing communities with the resources they need to recover from the pandemic and build a better America," said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. "These EDA investments will increase capacity for new business growth in Amarillo and McAllen, supporting diverse, robust regional economies."

"The Rio Grande Valley was hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic, and many are still dealing with the after-effects," said Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15). "This funding will provide critical infrastructure investments that will benefit the City of McAllen and the surrounding communities by attracting good paying jobs to combat poverty and unemployment. I applaud the Economic Development Administration for their continued efforts to invest in the physical infrastructure of South Texas and the economic mobility of the American worker."

"The Economic Development Administration is focused on supporting locally-driven strategies to boost coronavirus recovery and response efforts," said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. "The critical infrastructure provided by these EDA investments will lay the foundation for new businesses while supporting those already in operation, creating jobs for Texans across the state."

These projects are funded under EDA's American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance program, which makes $500 million in Economic Adjustment Assistance grants available to American communities. The Economic Adjustment Assistance program is EDA's most flexible program, and grants made under this program will help hundreds of communities across the nation plan, build, innovate, and put people back to work through construction or non-construction projects designed to meet local needs. 

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