Texas Border Business
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced $347,580 in federal funds for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) to help small rural businesses across South Texas increase economic development. The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development grant program which is designed to help businesses that have fewer than 50 new works and gross less than $1 million in revenue in rural areas.
“Small businesses are the backbone and future of the American economy,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “It is my hope that these funds will help small businesses in rural areas of the 15th District of Texas succeed. As long as I am a member of Congress, I will fight for policies that encourage economic growth and help our business community flourish.”
“These critical funds will accelerate economic development in rural counties throughout South Texas, particularly among high-need groups,” said Colin M. Cain, Director of UTRGV Texas Rural Cooperative Center. “We are excited to leverage UTRGV’s innovative approach to business and agricultural development for the benefit of our local communities.”
A description of each grant and award can be found below:
Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant
Award: $174,856
Specifically, funding will help to increase the capacity of small-scale Latina agricultural producers to (1) improve understanding of new direct-marketing strategies to increase farm income, (2) adopt innovative technologies and (3) embrace high-demand native crops.
More information on the Socially-Disadvantaged Groups grant is available here.
Rural Cooperative Development Grant
Award: $199,724
These funds will support the work of the Texas Rural Cooperative Center, which since 2002 has addressed the economic conditions of rural Texas by assisting with the start-up, expansion, and operational improvement of rural businesses, cooperatives, and mutually-owned businesses. This 2019 project will boost rural South Texas through the creation and expansion of rural businesses, private sector financing, and the use of innovative technologies.
More information on the Rural Cooperative Development Grant is available here.
More information on the USDA Rural Development grant program can be found here.
