Importance of Freight Stressed in Washington
I-69 will provide a freight corridor needed to link border ports of entry with seaports and inland commercial centers.
That was just one of the messages delivered by a delegation of 13 Alliance for I-69 Texas leaders who made the rounds in Washington, D.C., on May 15 and 16. They were joined by Jeff Austin III, a member of the Texas Transportation Committee.
There were a total of 18 meetings with members of Congress along the I-69 route and with key congressional committee staff to further advance the I-69 project. They were able to point to substantial progress being made in funding I-69 projects and securing official interstate designation for completed freeway sections on the Texas route.
The group stressed that I-69 is critical to the continuing development of the state and the nation’s freight system. They noted that all ten Texas deepwater ports and numerous shallow-draft ports and terminal on the Intracoastal Waterway are served by the I-69 route. Long-haul interstate freight connections will be improved once I-69 is complete. There are two dozen major railroad truck-rail intermodal facilities near the multi-state I-69 route.
They also made the point that the six South Texas border crossing in Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Webb Counties combine to make up 50% of the truck crossings on the entire US-Mexico border.
Another of the messages delivered was to emphasize the key provisions of MAP-21 that should be preserved or enhanced in the next federal transportation authorization bill. These include environmental streamlining, program consolidation to provide greater state flexibility, continuation of innovative financing authority, passage of a full five-year bill, and development of a National Freight Plan to direct federal investment.
In addition, the delegation met with officials at US DOT to discuss the status of I-69 and the department’s development of the National Freight Plan called for in MAP-21 passed in 2012.
http://i69texasalliance.com/index
Pictured below left to right: Honorable Mayor Corpus Christi Nelda Martinez, Congressman Filemon Vela, i69 Board Member Alan Johnson, TxDOT Commissioner Jeff Austin, Julian Alvarez, Laredo City Manager Carlos Villarreal
Resolution in Support of Space X
SpaceX Bill Unanimously Clears Texas House of Representatives: Final Vote Expected Thursday
Legislation which would further the SpaceX Boca Chica Beach commercial space launch project cleared the full Texas House of Representatives without opposition Wednesday. The bill will be heard again Thursday on a perfunctory third reading, and will then soon head to the Senate
for consideration there.
House Bill 2623 by State Rep. Rene Oliveira allows Cameron County to temporarily close an area of beach for launches and space flight activities with approval of the General Land Office.
"We're demonstrating to the space industry that we want to be at the forefront of its development here in Texas," said Oliveira. "It also demonstrates that Cameron County and Brownsville are
committed to bring SpaceX to South Texas."
Although SpaceX has not made a final decision to relocate to the area, Oliveira said he filed the bill to ensure that the necessary legislative measures are in place to advance the project. .
"The project has received the strong backing of state leadership. The bill is about protecting access to Texas beaches while developing cutting edge new industry in our state," said Oliveira.
The bill specifies that a county must have the approval of the state's General Land Office before a launch may be made. The bill also prohibits the closure of a beach during the Saturday or Sunday preceding Memorial Day; Memorial Day; July 4; a Saturday after Memorial Day but before
Labor Day; and, a Sunday after Memorial Day but before Labor Day.
The proposed SpaceX project recently cleared initial Federal Aviation Administration environmental impact studies. If the FAA does not approve SpaceX's launch site, the beaches cannot be closed. Beaches may only be closed for a launch at an FAA approved site. If the FAA denies the
site, the bill will have no effect.
For immediate Release April 24, 2013
Anthony Gray (512)463-0640
Texas Senate Infrastructure Funding
The Texas Senate just passed by 31-0 SJR1, which allows voters to approve or deny on the November ballot a one-time $5.7 billion draw from the projected $12 billion Rainy Day Fund for:
· $800 million in public education funding
· $2 billion for water projects in the State Water Plan
· $2.9 billion for road and transportation projects.
The House has not considered this measure yet, and it remains to be seen whether the House could get the 2/3rd vote required to move the bill. But it's a significant vote for the Senate.
Royal Technologies Corporation Announces 325,000 sqft Manufacturing Facility in Mission
MISSION, TX - April 15, 2013 – Jim Vander Kolk, President, Royal Technologies Corporation, announced that after much consideration between Mission and other sites, the company has chosen to expand its operations in Mission, Texas. Royal Technologies Corporation has acquired 12 acres in the Mission Expressway Business Park where it will construct a Class A, 325,000 square foot manufacturing facility and create at least 100 jobs.
In April 2012, Mission EDC played a role in assuring that the newly formed alliance between Hi-Tech Plastics and Royal Technologies had a smooth transition. Hi-Tech Plastics, a custom molder in Mission, Texas, and Royal Technologies, an advanced engineering and manufacturing company serving industries as diverse as automotive, furniture, and consumer products in Hudsonville, MI, formed this alliance to better serve their customers in this region. The alliance resulted in a significant capital investment and an increase of approximately 30 jobs. This alliance proved to be a great match and in early December 2012, Royal Technologies acquired Hi-Tech plastics with the
intention of increasing their facility, employment, and production in Mission,Texas.
Royal Technologies Corporation, staying true to their word, plans to break ground later this month and expects to have the facility complete by early 2014. “The Mission EDC team has been working with Royal Technologies for the past several months and we are excited to see their hard work has paid off” stated David Deanda, MEDC/MEDA Chair. “The creation of 100 jobs is a substantial number of new jobs for a city like Mission; these are great jobs that will support families.”
"Royal Technologies Corporation’s expansion into Mission is a testament to the prosperous business climate that this region offers," Mayor Norberto “Beto” Salinas said. "I am thrilled about the expansion, and I am fully supportive of Royal Technologies’ decision to bring additional jobs and added revenue to our community."
Royal Technologies has about 900 employees throughout the U.S, not including the 85 jobs that were included in the acquisition of Hi-Tech Plastics or the 100 new jobs that will be created later this year.
“This project is an indication of Mission’s business-friendly climate and proof that Governor Perry’s message of Texas being open for business continues to
remain strong” stated Alex Meade, CEO, Mission EDC.
For more information, please contact: Mission EDC at (956) 585-0040
TSTC Day!
Pictured are Representative Eddie Lucio and Rio Grande Valley Partnership Board Member Dr. Ceasar Maldonaldo with LVN students from Texas State Technical College. TSTC students and instructors were in Austin for TSTC Day!
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4th Annual Texas Hold'Em Poker Tournament The 4th Annual Charity Texas Hold'Em Poker Tournament was a success! Thank you to all of our sponsors, players, members, board members and everyone else that was involved in making this event possible! |
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Congratulations Winners
Congratulations to our first place winner Brice Richards, second place winner Gunnen Craig and third place winner Michael Garza!
Thank You!
The Rio Grande Valley Partnership would like to congratulate the past Hidalgo County Regional
Mobility Authority Board Members for serving on the board.
Pictured left to right- Ramiro Salazar, Joe Daniel Olivarez, Dennis Burleson, Ramon Garcia, Roberto Villarreal and Pilar Rodriguez, PE, Executive Director.
Not present Richard Perez, Ruben Serna, Juan Maldonado and Ruben Plata.
Pictured are members of the BTA board with U.S. Senator Ted Cruz in his Washington office.
Around the table: Julian Alvarez from the Rio Grande Valley Partnership, Miguel Perez from Ryder, Lee Snitzer from DELPHI, Nelson Baildo, Bret Erickson from Texas International ProduceAssociation, Fred Schwien from Boeing, Russ Jones from RL Jones Custombrokers, and Jesse Hereford from S&B.
Regional Mobility Update
The following link will take you to a power point that was presented to our Board of Directors at our August board meeting. Because of the ever-growing population, we have made the Regional Mobility Update a priority for over 20 years, and is something that we feel the entire Rio Grande Valley will benefit from.
