Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business
McALLEN, Texas — U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick announced a $6 million grant from the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration to help the City of McAllen expand its industrial capacity and prepare for future manufacturing, trade, and investment.
Speaking during a visit to GE Aerospace in McAllen, Lutnick said the funding will be used to build roads, water, sewer, and other infrastructure needed to expand the city’s 47-acre industrial park. He said the project is intended to create space for new companies to locate in McAllen, expand operations, and create jobs.
“I’m excited to announce a $6 million grant from the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration to help the City of McAllen expand its industrial capacity and prepare for the next generation of manufacturing, trade, and investment,” Lutnick said.
According to Lutnick, the federal grant is designed to leverage private investment rather than fund projects on its own. He said the Department of Commerce required local leaders to secure private commitments before awarding the grant.
“Our approach is straightforward. We provide a grant, but we also expect local leaders—the congresswoman, the mayor, the city leadership, and everyone involved—to bring private investment alongside it,” Lutnick said. “The goal is to ensure that American taxpayers are making a sound investment.”
Lutnick said local officials obtained $34 million in private investment commitments tied to development of the industrial park if the federal funding moved forward. He described the project as “government working together with private industry to create successful economic development.”
He said the combined public and private investment totals about $40 million and is expected to support the creation of about 500 jobs while providing infrastructure for future manufacturing projects.
“We’re confident this project will create at least 500 jobs, with the potential for even more as the industrial park grows,” Lutnick said. “This grant from the Department of Commerce serves as seed funding, helping these local leaders attract private investment, build the infrastructure, create jobs, and position the project for long-term success.”
Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz said the grant will benefit both McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
“Today is not just about the $6 million grant coming from the federal government that I was proud to support. It’s about what that $6 million will do—not only for the City of McAllen, but for the entire Rio Grande Valley,” De La Cruz said.
She said the investment will help create jobs, expand economic opportunities, increase housing, support airport activity, and provide more opportunities for small businesses.
“This $6 million investment will have a tremendous regional impact,” De La Cruz said.
McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos said the grant represents an investment in the entire region.
“When the City of McAllen reached out to Washington and to the administration, we asked for help—and that’s exactly what they did,” Villalobos said. “They’re not just helping McAllen—they’re helping the entire Rio Grande Valley, from Rio Grande City to Brownsville.”
Villalobos said the industrial park is expected to support job creation and attract additional companies to the region.
Secretary Lutnick said the grant reflects the Department of Commerce’s approach of pairing federal funding with private investment to support infrastructure that can attract manufacturing and long-term economic development.
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