I am writing to express my support the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's submission of the region's submission of the region's Recompete Plan and strategy development grant on behalf of the RGV Recompete Coalition and urge your thorough consideration of this innovative inclusive project.
The four-county region the Lower Rio Grande Valley, referred to as the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) consists of Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties and is located at the southernmost tip of Texas Though the region is ripe with opportunity, the RGV has long suffered from persistent economic stress with above state/national average percentage of persons in poverty and below state/national average in education attainment, per capita income, and median annual household income.
In alignment with the EDA’s Recompete Pilot Program, the region diligently established the RGV Recompete Coalition, equitably and fully supported by each of the regions four counties, 47 cities, local institutions of higher education, and other key stakeholders united for the advancement of prosperity.
I applaud the RGV Recompete Coalition for developing such an innovative and comprehensive strategy which leverage regional assets, include braided funding across the region, and will deliver equitable interventions to sustainably connect people to good jobs. I commend UTRGV and all members of the RGV Recompete Coalition for their broad and genuine collaboration in developing what would be a transformative project across this region.
Please give this application your full and fair consideration.
Sincerely,
Monica De La Cruz
Member of Congress
15th District of Texas
Editor's Note: The above letter was penned by US Rep. Monica De La Cruz of McAllen in support of UTRGV's application for funding under the US Department of Commerce's Recompete Pilot Program. The letter was sent Sept. 21, 2023, to the Economic Development Administration's Recompete Pilot Program Review Committee members.
