Hi Friends,

I hope everyone is staying out of the heat with the record high temperatures we’ve been experiencing. If you or someone you know is in need of a cooling center, you can find a list of nearby locations here, or by using the information provided at the bottom of the letter.

I want to provide a quick roundup of the most recent federal funding I’ve delivered to enhance transportation, healthcare, and education in the 34th Congressional District.

Sincerely,

Congressman Vicente Gonzalez

Secured $13.6 Million for Transportation in the 34th District

Within the last three months, I secured $13.6 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Airport Improvement Grants Program for projects in the 34th Congressional District of Texas!

Of that funding, $8.9 million went to two Rio Grande Valley airports for general improvements and $4,738,886 million from the Federal Transit Administration’s Low-and No-Emission program went to the City of Brownsville for the procurement of hybrid electric buses.

$21.1 million for TX-34 Schools and Universities

In the last three months alone, the 34th Congressional District of Texas received $21.1 million in education grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture!

In June, I announced that Texas A&M University – Kingsville will receive $20 million towards education and workforce development initiatives for Hispanic students seeking to enter the agricultural sector. Earlier in May, I announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will offer K-8th grade teachers $500,000 for the opportunity to research STEM subjects. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) will also receive $598,870 from the U.S. Department of Education as part of their Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program.

$4.7 million to Support Nursing and Health Clinics

In the last three months, the 34th Congressional District of Texas received $4.7 million in federal grants for our healthcare industry in South Texas.

Of that funding, $3 million was awarded to the Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement to help build and diversify the nursing workforce in the Rio Grande Valley and $1,736,120 for the Brownsville Community Health Clinic to increase access to health care services for our community.

Disaster Relief Assistance for Cameron and Hidalgo Counties

Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Assistance is still available to residents and businesses who were affected by the severe storms in Cameron County during the month of May 2023. Home disaster loans, business physical disaster loans, and economic injury disaster loans are available.

The application deadlines are July 24th, 2023, for physical damages and February 26th, 2024, for economic injuries.

Hidalgo County is also offering SBA loans from severe weather damage that occurred in May 2023.

The deadline for applications for property damage is July 29th, 2023, and Economic injury is February 22nd, 2024. To apply for disaster loan assistance through the Small Business Administration, click here.

New Passport Processing Times

The U.S. Department of State is reporting unprecedented passport demand. If you have international travel plans, please check your passport expiration date as soon as possible. Many countries require that your passport be valid for at least six months after your planned departure. Visit travel.state.gov/passport for more information.

If you are having trouble receiving your passport, my office may be able to assist you. Please call us at (956) 682-5545 or submit a request on my website here.

Weatherization Assistance Program

The Department of Energy’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs announced the availability of $25 million for the Weatherization Assistance Program Enhancement and Innovation program. This will enable partnerships to lower energy prices for low-income homes.

Eligibility: Households at or below 200 percent of the poverty income guidelines are considered eligible for weatherization services or if they receive Supplemental Security Income or Aid to Families with Dependent Children.
To apply, click here.

State-Based Home Efficiency Contractor Training Grants

The U.S. Department of Energy will provide $170 million in funding to states for contractor training programs, in preparation for electrification and energy-efficient upgrades, retrofits, and installations supported by the Inflation Reduction Act--funded Home Energy Rebate programs.

Eligibility: Any person or business that wants to reduce the cost of training contractor employees; provide testing and certification of contractors trained and educated under a state program developed and implemented pursuant to subsection (a); and partner with nonprofit organizations to develop and implement a state program pursuant to subsection States administrative costs may not exceed 10 percent.
Application deadline: September 30, 2031
To learn more, click here

Information on Cooling Centers

Cameron County

Brownsville
Ozanam Center: located at 656 N. Minnesota Ave., Brownsville, Texas 78521

People are asked to call before they head to the Ozanam Center at 956-831-6331

Harlingen
Loaves and Fishes of the Rio Grande Valley: located at 514 S. E. St., Harlingen, Texas 78550

Open from 8.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Hidalgo County

McAllen
Lark Community Center: located at 2601 Lark Ave., McAllen, Texas 78504.

Open 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.
For more information, contact the library at (956) 681-3340.

McAllen Public Library: located at 4001 N. 23rd St., McAllen, Texas 78504.

Call (956) 681-3000 for more details.

The Salvation Army: located at 1600 N. 23rd St., McAllen, Texas 78501.

Call (956) 682-1468 for more details.

Weslaco
First Baptist Church: Located at 600 S. Kansas Ave, Weslaco, Texas 78596.

Open Monday, June 26 through Friday, June 30 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Edcouch
Edcouch Fire Department: located at 200 W. Santa Rosa Ave., Edcouch, Texas 78538.

Contact (956) 262-5522 for more details

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