Cuellar: Congress has appropriated $1 million for Roma’s Las Americas Industrial & Logistics Park

1 month ago 37

ROMA, Texas – Congressman Henry Cuellar has announced a $1 million federal grant for Las Americas, the City of Roma’s eagerly-anticipated industrial and logistics park.

In addition to the $1 million appropriated by Congress, the Las Americas project will also receive $500,000 in grant funding from USDA’s Rural Business Development program, Cuellar said.

Cuellar said the funds will be used to develop the 328-acre park’s infrastructure, including street development, drainage, lighting, water and wastewater systems, gas lines, electricity, and telecommunications. Upon completion, the park will feature more than 25 warehouses and create employment opportunities for over 300 individuals.

The $1 million appropriation was included in a raft of finance bills passed this week by Congress. The bills now go to President Biden’s desk. He is expected to sign them.

“As South Texas continues to grow, so too does our demand for proper industrial facilities. I secured this Congressionally directed funding to provide the City of Roma with a new logistics and industrial park that will attract future investors and bring good-paying jobs,” Cuellar said.

“I remain committed to delivering federal resources that bring jobs to our communities, bolster our industrial capabilities, and grow our economy. Thank you to Roma Mayor Jaime Escobar, Jr., and Roma Economic Development President Joel Hinojosa, Jr., for working with me to bring the Las Americas Roma Logistics & Industrial Park to fruition. In Congress, I will continue to fight for Roma.”

In addition to the $1 million appropriated by Congress, the Las Americas project will also receive $500,000 in grant funding from USDA’s Rural Business Development program, Cuellar said.

Roma Mayor Jaime Escobar, Jr., predicted Las Americas will have a “transformative” economic impact on Roma and all of South Texas and neighboring communities throughout northern Mexico.

“The city council’s goals, along with those of Roma’s Economic Development Corporation, have been to improve the quality of life for our constituents by forging critical public and private partnerships that will leverage significant improvements in infrastructure and overall economic development that will create good-paying jobs for the citizens of Roma,” Escobar said.

“We are grateful to all our partners, especially Dr. Henry Cuellar, who helped secure this park’s 1-million-dollar earmark. His work with other federal agencies, such as EDA and USDA, has also helped secure additional support for what arguably may be Roma’s most significant economic development venture in the last 50 years.”

Cuellar said six fiscal year 2024 Appropriations bills were approved by Congress this week. He said the final package includes $14,815,036 in Community Project Funding for 15 local projects across his 28^th Congressional District.

“This bipartisan government funding bill, the result of tough negotiations, is a major win for South Texas,” Cuellar said.

“I am extremely pleased to have secured over $14 million for fifteen community projects in Texas’s 28^th Congressional District. These projects will expand water access, support local law enforcement, and upgrade roads and infrastructure across TX-28.”

Cuellar said praise must go to House Appropriations Chair Kay Granger and Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro for their help in secure “these meaningful investments.” As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, Cuellar said he will continue to support South Texas “by bringing back our hard-earned tax dollars for projects that make a real difference in the community.”

Cuellar continued: “Additionally, this bill addresses the needs of South Texans by prioritizing working families and ensuring our economy remains strong. Specifically, I’m pleased this bill maintains full funding for key food assistance programs, strengthens American energy independence, and creates good-paying jobs nationwide. I look forward to reaching an agreement on the remaining government funding bills and finishing the job the American people elected us to do.”

Here are some of the highlights for CD 28 in the appropriation bills:

$1,000,000 for Zacate Creek Restoration to the City of Laredo.
$1,000,000 for Zapata County 4-H Rodeo Arena to Zapata County.
$1,000,000 for Jim Hogg County Emergency Response Center to Jim Hogg County.
$1,000,000 for Duval County Community Center Improvements to Duval County.
$500,000 for Atascosa County Emergency Medical Service Center to Atascosa County.
$500,000 for McMullen Fairgrounds Improvement Project to McMullen County.
$963,000 for Texas A&M International University – Laredo College STEM Connector to Texas A&M International University.
$963,000 for Starr County Juvenile Housing and Rehabilitation Center to County of Starr, Texas.
$963,000 for Guadalupe County Law Enforcement agencies to purchase new police cruisers to Guadalupe County, Texas.
$959,757 for San Antonio Water System Generators for Critical Infrastructure to San Antonio Water System.
$1,766,279 for the El Cenizo Street Improvements Project to Webb County, Texas.
$1,400,000 for the Veteran’s Center of Excellence to Laredo College.
$500,000 for State Highway 359 Colonias Street Improvements Project to Webb County, Texas.
$1,000,000 for Infrastructure for Las Americas Logistics and Industrial Park to the City of Roma, Texas.
$1,300,000 for Growing San Antonio Apprenticeships to the City of San Antonio, Texas.