ROMA, Texas - Roma Mayor Jaime Escobar, Jr., says he and his council colleagues have a “vision of greatness” for their city.
Escobar spoke at a town hall meeting held recently by U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar and the North American Development Bank. The event was called to announce funding for the historic International Suspension Bridge between Roma and Miguel Aleman.
Here are Escobar’s remarks at the town hall meeting:
“Welcome, everybody. It is a pleasure to have everybody here.
“A few years ago many of us on the council came into office. We were tasked with a big undertaking: economic development. I think that when I gave the State of the City speech, I told the council and the community what we're going to be doing, and what our goals would be.
“We talked about an industrial park. We talked about new bridges. We talked about getting our local economy going and tying it into our national and international economy. So we're getting that accomplished. And I'll never forget what Congressman Cuellar said. You guys have bold plans for Roma.
“For many years, sometimes we've kind of underestimated ourselves and kind of looked beyond what we can be. And we're at his level, and we have a vision of greatness and we want to connect to the local and international economy.
“So I think through the industrial park, the restoration of our suspension bridge, expansion of our current bridge and the possibility of a new bridge, we're definitely on the right path to getting to where we need to be.
“And I want to, first of all, thank the city council for all their support. Sometimes I make the mistake of saying me but it's actually them and it is us.
(Applause)
“I want to say, also, that our partners on the Mexican side, Miguel Aleman and Ciudad Mier have been always willing to work with us and to support us on the big things.
“Also our neighbors, in Rio Grande City, Escobares, and all the surrounding communities. Mr. Sam Vale, I know he does a really good job with his bridge as well. We've collaborated. It is an exciting time because our region is going to grow like never before.
“And I thank all our partners at the federal level, at the state level. Thank you for believing in us. Thank you for looking in our direction. The future is bright in Starr County. I also want to thank Judge Eloy Vera. I know he's not here, but his representative, Ms. Fuentes is here.
“It is a great collaborative effort, and we're so pumped and really excited about what's to come to our region. So again, thank you for allowing me to say a few words. You'll probably hear some of these things again at the suspension bridge. But I just wanted to speak from the heart and let everybody know where we're at and how we're are excited for the future. So, thank you.”
After the town hall meeting had concluded, the VIPs visited the suspension bridge for a press conference about the NADBank funding. Among those to speak were Escobar, Rep. Cuellar, NADBank Managing Director John Beckham, Iliana Almar Garcia Garcia, secretary of economic development and tourism for Miguel Aleman, and Ana Garcia, district director for US Sen. John Cornyn.
In total, NADBank provided $835,000 in federal grant funding for the City of Roma. Some of the funds will help in the restoration of the suspension bridge and some will be used for the acquisition of a new compactor for Roma’s landfill site.
The breakdown is: $450,000, provided by NADBank’s Community Assistance Program, to purchase a new landfill compactor. And $385,000 from NADBank’s Technical Assistance Program for ongoing studies in Mexico related to the rehabilitation of the suspension bridge.
Following the press conference at the suspension bridge, Mayor Escobar, Rep. Cuellar, and NADBank’s Beckham issued statements about the new funding. Here is what they said:
“One of my priorities in Congress is to expand and enhance our infrastructure in South Texas. The two federal grants announced today strengthen waste collection and disposal services in Roma, and assess the modernization of the Roma-Miguel Aleman International Suspension Bridge. Both awards improve quality of life and ensure Roma and Starr County have the tools to continue growing,” said Cuellar, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee.
“In FY23, I secured $3,000,000 in the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Agencies appropriations bill for NADBank’s CAP and TAP to support critical environmental infrastructure in southern border communities. We’re seeing the results of that today. Thank you to Eloy Vera, Starr County Judge, Jaime Escobar, Jr., Roma Mayor, and John Beckham, Managing Director of NADBank, for working with me to deliver for Roma and Starr County.”
Beckham, NADBank’s managing director, said: “We were pleased to award these funds to the City of Roma for a trash compactor that will maintain the optimum life of their landfill and now support rehabilitation of the international suspension bridge that was built in 1928. These grants are part of the Bank’s Community Assistance and Technical Assistance Programs that help border communities and project sponsors build more sustainable border infrastructure. Finally, I would like to extend my gratitude to Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D., and Senator John Cornyn for securing funds through the State Department for these programs that complement NADBank’s own contributions.”
Mayor Escobar said: “The restoration of the Roma- Miguel Aleman suspension bridge is an endeavor that will bring new life to this national historic landmark and will positively impact our local economy on multiple fronts. I am sincerely grateful to Congressman Cuellar for securing funding for this much needed project and we look forward to seeing the entire project come to fruition in the near future. The assistance provided by NADBank for the acquisition of a new compactor for our landfill is evidence of the impact institutions as such have on small communities. We will keep working to match federal and state funds to the most urgent needs of our community!”
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