WESLACO, Texas - Congressman Vicente Gonzalez has announced a $6.5 million federal investment in health and wellness in the Mid Valley.
The funding, courtesy of the American Rescue Plan Act, will help pay for a Wellness & Activity Community Center in Weslaco. A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the project at the Hidalgo County Health Clinic on North Bridge Avenue in Weslaco.
In his remarks from the podium, Gonzalez said he is proud of the infrastructure being invested in the Rio Grande Valley.
“As you travel from McAllen down to Brownsville, it is transformative. The Valley is growing and booming, and we're doing well. And there's more jobs and high paying jobs than ever before,” Gonzalez said.
“But now we're making significant investments in things that improve our quality of life, like health. We’re building walking trails around the Rio Grande Valley. I've invested a lot in our Boys & Girls Club projects. But these six and a half million dollars on this Wellness Center is going to be transformative to this region.”
Gonzalez then listed the benefits of a multipurpose wellness center.
“Studies show that when you have a wellness center like this or a walking trail in your neighborhood, diabetes goes down by 20 percent. And, as you know, in South Texas we have the highest rate of diabetes in the country. We have hypertension. We have obesity. We have so many health issues that we need to continue to work on and it really takes a community like this to come together, to put projects together and ask for the resources that we need and be able to deliver them, be able to bring them home.”
Gonzalez said he cannot bring the funding down from Washington without the help of community leaders and elected officials in the Valley. He thanked Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez, Hidalgo County Commissioner David Fuentes, and Weslaco Mayor Adrian Gonzalez for their help.
“The Mid Valley is doing amazing things and has amazing growth, and every day it is a better place to live because of the leadership that you have here locally,” Gonzalez said.
“I'm going to keep fighting to bring more resources just like this, to build more amazing projects like the one we're initiating today. We have a lot more to do.”
Gonzalez said he hates to bring politics into the equation, but… “Not a single person across the aisle voted for these funds, the ARPA funds. Everybody's taking credit for it, but there is not a single person across the aisle that had the courage to push the button. These funds pulled us out of the pandemic and got people back to work. It's real investments in the community that are not only transformative to our quality of life, but… create good paying jobs when we're building the infrastructure that you see in South Texas.”
Gonzalez said the Valley is just getting going.
“The next ten years are going to be amazing, and you're going to see the Rio Grande Valley leading the state in so many avenues. I'm proud to be here as your member of Congress, and I'm going to keep supporting this region, and keep bringing the dollars home that we need to live a better life.”
County Commissioner Fuentes said the groundbreaking ceremony was a tremendous success. “Thank you to everyone who attended and made this event unforgettable. Together, we are building a healthier and happier community.”
Judge Cortez congratulated everyone involved in the project.
“This incredible 26,000-square-foot facility will feature maple basketball courts that can convert to volleyball and pickleball courts, along with a state-of-the-art gym, a boxing ring, batting cages, a golf simulator, and classrooms.”
Cortez added: “This center will not only promote health and fitness but will also serve as a venue for community events and tournaments. With a project cost of approximately $6.5 million, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, we can't wait to see the positive impact this facility will have on our community.”
