Texas Border Business
AUSTIN – Several entities in the Rio Grande Valley were awarded a number of federal grants totaling $143,367.02 to enhance operations and safety, recruitment, and retention for the Fire Departments in response to the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn announced today. The funding was appropriated by the CARES Act, which Sen. Cornyn supported in March, and comes through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG), which aims to strengthen the nation’s overall level of preparedness and ability to respond to fire and related hazards.
“While our firefighters are doing everything they can to keep Texans safe during this outbreak, the federal government should make sure they have every resource they need,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I applaud area leaders for their work to obtain these grants, and I’ll continue to do everything I can to support firefighters in the Rio Grande Valley.”
| Entity | Program Area | Award Amount |
| City of Pharr | Operations and Safety | $24,772.73 |
| Los Fresnos Volunteer Fire Department | Recruitment and Retention | $50,120.00 |
| City of McAllen | Operations and Safety | $54,545.72 |
| City of Penitas | Operations and Safety | $13,928.57 |
You can read more about the FY 2020 COVID-19 Supplemental AFG program here.
