Sepulveda: LRGVDC will remain a catalyst for progress in the region

I want to share a few words with all of you here today.

As many of you know, this is the second time that I’ve had the opportunity to review the draft annual report and budget for the COG as your president. And I want to take a moment to thank the leadership and staff for their incredible work for putting this event together. So if you could please join me in giving me a round of applause for Manny Cruz and his staff.

I will tell you it’s really nice to come and have a meal and enjoy and network and talk with our colleagues. But it does take a lot of work in putting these events together. So, we really do appreciate you, Manny and all that you do. You make us look really good. So, thank you.

You know, after last year’s meeting, I thought that this would be a unique opportunity to spotlight the vital work of the LRGVDC not just for the meetings that we hold, but for what we represent and achieve as a board.

This event allows us to celebrate our regional accomplishments and expand the reach of our organization’s mission.

Spending this past year as president of this organization has shown me how critical it is that we work together as a region. I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact of the COG in my own community of the City of Harlingen.

For example, I know Margarita (Lopez) is here. She is in the back. The Department of Health and Human Services through the Area Agency on Aging and Disability Resource Center hosted their annual Veterans Festival in the City of Harlingen at the Harlingen Convention Center. And this event provided hundreds of space heaters, free haircuts and critical resources to the veterans and residents aged 60 years and older.

The City of Harlingen has also collaborated with the LRGVDC to improve public transportation. This includes working with Valley Metro to secure 12 acres near Interstate 2 and the I-69E interchange for the future transit center that will enhance connectivity and expand transit infrastructure in our community.

As a board of directors, we oversee millions of dollars allocated to our region and ensure our programs focus on impactful and innovative work. And over the past year, we have achieved quite a bit that I’ll share with you.

Supporting regional clean energy efforts. We oversaw the initial application for the Department of Energy’s Clean Cities and Communities Initiative. Over the next year, the LRGVDC will pursue the second application, securing a five-year contract to serve as a hub covering 18 counties in South Texas for alternative fuel, EV infrastructure, education, technical assistance and grant applications.

Expanded educational opportunities. We facilitated the extension of the Police Academy into Starr County to provide training for law enforcement officers, as well as for the City of Combes.

Promoted Regional Transportation Innovation. Many of us here also serve on the RGVMPO Transportation Policy Board, and this past year we welcomed a new executive director who will guide us into a new era of transportation planning.

We strengthened economic development. We created the Economic Development Advisory Committee to unite local EDCs and UTRGV in developing the region’s five-year comprehensive economic development strategy, soon to be approved by the Economic Development Administration.

We supported public safety and homeland security grants through the Criminal Justice Homeland Security Department. At the COG we facilitated and assisted with awarding over $6.6 million in grants for various programs ensuring resources reach communities throughout the region.

Encouraging civic participation through our Get Out the Vote initiative, we provided free transportation for voters and promoted the message region-wide on Valley Metro busses via sponsorship. I want to thank Manny for taking the lead on that and making ensuring that there was a video where the entire board was able to participate. And so it was nice to see that through this organization, everyone throughout the region had an opportunity to go vote, and transportation was not a barrier.

We advocated for passenger rail. The LRGVDC participated in the Texas Passenger Rail Advisory Committee to advocate for increased rail service frequency and reliability in Texas with a long-term vision of reconnecting the Valley to the state rail network.

We also laid the groundwork for a Regional Transit Authority. We supported the creation of the Regional Mobility Advisory Committee tasked with researching the establishment of a Regional Transit Authority to improve public transportation funding and explore future passenger rail possibilities. (Applause from audience)

Enhanced active transportation. We did this by procuring the next generation of loggers, batteries and software for the Rio Grande Valley Bicycle and Pedestrian Counter Data Program.

We also approved rankings and recommendations for the Homeland Security Advisory Committee and the Solid Waste Advisory Committee.

And last, but not least, of course, we supported water resource management. As host of the Region M Water Planning Group, we provided communities with updates on water issues, facilitated discussions with state and federal agencies and shared funding opportunities from the Texas Water Development Board.

Together, we’ve kept innovation and regionalism at the forefront, ensuring the sustainability and success of our programs. And I’m confident that with continued dedication the LRGVDC will remain a catalyst for progress in the region.

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Editor’s Note: The above address was delivered by Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council President Norma Sepulveda at the group’s first ever State of the COG. The event took place at the LRGVDC’s offices on W. Railroad Street in Weslaco, Texas, on Jan. 9, 2025.

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