[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6099169,"mediaKeyId","2820904-667777584a43d7d66d37d6cd1e1f8f68","parentId",2820904,"title","EDC launches downtown Main Street workshop and preservation push; CDBG funds targeted to Britton Avenue","audioSeconds",568,"startMs",1607000,"endMs",2175000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2820904-667777584a43d7d66d37d6cd1e1f8f68&start=1607&end=2175","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2820904-667777584a43d7d66d37d6cd1e1f8f68/thumbnail_1607000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6099169/Rio-Grande-City/Starr-County/Texas/EDC-launches-downtown-Main-Street-workshop-and-preservation-push-CDBG-funds-targeted-to-Britton-Avenue","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099169-2b24aa940367665c04245f5c713f797c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164948&Signature=TmyP69KuwswO5edjlL9ydMglEzyxkcpbgcWy9ZO--Ao3uWGw2RJjEodrTDemoUiRBQQyiHRFQDIyk17Cxsl8Akyo9ruFqBWl4rCXWrCO9tz2V3QRWQU-NcBNYjBdXYlqGGYrjx3dFCd8y6Oxv72Mpbz6JMYmHLRLjoVV8tbk~FrfB2-XZhmFxbL-RJxXQf61jCyOGV3lCFqMv3eDXjGUTwhUOeKfH0E2qdTj5Zguo5H4HqgfzpnqDFGfesUQb0ZO6h4T8zcGC2ziqR30rSZE86Dqsr7IJZvCbRVa3dRHaFQdmD5KyZMR5uu9F9R2bA6IjXv6NwS-aqtl8xpTJO0NoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Rio Grande City, TX","date","2025-03-30T06:38:23.527Z","article","EDC staff told the board on March 17 that the mayor has directed a coordinated, multiagency effort to develop a comprehensive downtown revitalization plan tied to the two‑to‑three‑year loop construction. The EDC and Main Street will hold an initial workshop this week that will include local property owners, code enforcement, real-estate representatives and TxDOT personnel; the meeting will begin in the morning with a working lunch and include a trolley tour of downtown buildings in need of attention.

Staff said the effort will produce a written action plan that could include façade grants, incentives and other tools to encourage rehabilitation of historic downtown buildings; the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) sidewalk project the board discussed covers Britton Avenue only but includes electrical work, lighting, kiosk improvements and ADA accessibility for the four-block downtown corridor. Staff noted the CDBG budget for the Britton Avenue work is approximately $500,000 plus $50,000 from the city.

Presenters emphasized several recurring obstacles: some downtown parcels have many owners on a single deed, complicating rehabilitation or sale; EDC economic-development funds are limited in how they may be applied (staff said residential properties may not qualify under current program rules); and the loop construction and heavy-truck routing will require coordination with TxDOT and possibly an ordinance to restrict heavy traffic on downtown streets to reduce vibration damage to historic buildings.

Other items raised during the executive director’s report included a proposal to formally name the old fire station after Speedy Guffey, an early volunteer fire-department founder; the EDC will pursue a commemorative plaque and family outreach. Staff also reported progress on nominating Carlos' Cafe for a Texas treasure designation for statewide promotion and said staff are preparing applications and promotional materials.

Staff encouraged board members to attend the Main Street workshop and said the initiative will meet monthly; the mayor and preservation committee will be engaged as the written plan is drafted.

Details staff provided about the workshop: start time near 9:00 a.m., a working lunch, a midday trolley tour and discussions about sidewalk, awning and façade standards that may require TxDOT review for work adjacent to state rights-of-way.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","EDC Board of Directors Meeting March 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The EDC and Main Street will begin a comprehensive downtown revitalization plan with a workshop and trolley tour; the city’s CDBG grant covers improvements on Britton Avenue and staff proposed naming the old fire station after a community founder.","taxTitle","Rio Grande City, Starr County, Texas","taxId",69600,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6099174,"EDC finance report: sales-tax receipts topped $700,000 for first time; staff flags overtime and permit trends",270,555000,825000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2820904-667777584a43d7d66d37d6cd1e1f8f68&start=555&end=825","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2820904-667777584a43d7d66d37d6cd1e1f8f68/thumbnail_555000.jpg","/articles/6099174/Rio-Grande-City/Starr-County/Texas/EDC-finance-report-sales-tax-receipts-topped-700000-for-first-time-staff-flags-overtime-and-permit-trends","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099174-c77dfdd15d5c2d5e56cb94cd5e19489d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164948&Signature=kVZgaZsTu5zrbeZnbfkdpV45H8FUhOcmlBtM9XZpJLIYbHuoPEHtcT2tMEq6-xfyoZe63xWAzdSFsLKM1okKQEoGWodsGM64u54Vt~OsxhLF1IIkNt5nQCDSuLWECoT~Fz1v2RLOkptqfyODuyvzgTjYFmI~18~sBM4hjqnXSCY2vCU7GdGhlZAz0hmECx5BS3i-Nu5pDyAu-vlDq9KUKi-8pERkU9B9v8VBrQHiGz-h9tsJprlyi-KQ5dTcZHymESsjB5pnep00Qmkgdxek91pwTQbxlkWe1P9o-SD0JdPFsyJnSLOgYdiADg2lquy3WQtcZu9P4eWN-O1rQ~zcWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","EDC finance staff told the Rio Grande City Economic Development Corporation on March 17 that sales-tax collections tied to December activity pushed monthly receipts above $700,000 for the first time in the city's history, a jump that shows increased local spending but also reflects inflation and seasonal effects.

Staff members presenting the financial report said the December collections — shown in the February report — were about $707,000 and represent the highest single monthly total on city record, surpassing prior highs. Presenters cautioned that part of the increase reflects higher prices as well as consumer spending around the holidays and that collections can fluctuate; March and future months will clarify whether the trend continues.

The finance update also included these points: the county unemployment rate was reported at 10.1 percent, with the broader valley at about 6.4 percent, the Texas average at 4.2 percent and the national average at 4.1 percent. Staff reported that construction and residential permits slowed in February compared with January. On expenditures, the EDC said it is at roughly 29 percent of its annual budget year‑to‑date compared with an expected 41 percent at this point in the fiscal year; overtime spending was reported at about 70 percent of the budgeted overtime allocation.

Board members asked for clarity about a listed $12,500 economic-development expenditure (staff said it reflected incentive payments) and for confirmation that several grants and incentive payouts had been distributed. Staff confirmed payout activity for the small grants referenced in the packet and said remaining documentation would be available.

The presenters recommended monitoring these indicators over the next two quarterly reports and flagged overtime and the slowdown in permits as items requiring continued oversight.","EDC staff reported record sales-tax collections for December (reflected in February reporting), noted elevated overtime spending and a slowdown in construction permits, and provided unemployment figures for the region.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6099179,"EDC approves road contract, amends economic-development agreements and updates bank signatories; several items tabled",1210,395000,1605000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2820904-667777584a43d7d66d37d6cd1e1f8f68&start=395&end=1605","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2820904-667777584a43d7d66d37d6cd1e1f8f68/thumbnail_395000.jpg","/articles/6099179/Rio-Grande-City/Starr-County/Texas/EDC-approves-road-contract-amends-economic-development-agreements-and-updates-bank-signatories-several-items-tabled","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099179-b6dc383591c22af440f58b2d3d6bfc09/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164948&Signature=WdmrSxTSI395JEBpzeDhzsQC1zNeruwr0XR26j64nk5~Zv9~WmG-dTEG5AiA3FbbViq0~1uTEfTfDQD9hdRNdi65sHpvQRPlJDZK3yaP1e52hxmJSzhm5WN-HvR90GjQvGtIQEOeFdRs2uqOIBLcFip2iNtrYM3vN~jjVmrMYF~6PKFv-TY7PMO9mfgcDb5l~K8IvrZibFFs9n9q8h5c0uxCqDDaeTAqi6Z0~VvVF5Tngzjx6vJkmavakbRFo6DZVSdfZ4Yw2NUFU-yBtQLQHFPxMjVQ44WGHsFOqazMmFfWEjNDyPExy8B5Cdz~Cn4uzIpWrqEkW5ixLDU4pAxdpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rio Grande City Economic Development Corporation voted on several administrative and project items at its March 17 meeting, approving a construction contract, amending economic-development agreements after executive session and updating bank signatories while tabling a presentation on a proposed downtown refurbishment.

The board awarded a construction contract for the Los Velas (Los Pinos/Los Velas) Road expansion project to the lowest bidder, GA Utilities LLC, following a recommendation from Sam Engineering and Surveying. The contracting discussion included schedule expectations, required bonds, a 60-calendar-day completion target from notice to proceed, and a $250-per-day liquidated-damages clause in the contract. The board voted to approve the award.

After an executive session conducted under the Texas Government Code provisions cited in the meeting (consultation with attorney; economic development negotiations; real estate; personnel matters), the board authorized several financing and contract changes for named business prospects. The board approved: (1) a payment of $31,070 to the State of Texas related to the International Drive project (motion carried; Board member Fred Lopez recorded an abstention); (2) an amendment to the existing agreement for business prospect 2024-1 to add $89,000 to the agreement (motion carried; Board members David Reyna and Lupe Garza recorded abstentions); and (3) an amendment to the agreement for prospect 2023-2 to move forward with up to $300,000 tied to a five‑year tax‑rate schedule and milestone benchmarks (motion carried).

The board also approved an amendment to the corporate bank-resolution signatories, removing one prior signer and adding a newly named signer; the change was approved unanimously and the staff circulated the resolution for signatures. The board approved the previous meeting minutes and moved to table a presentation from Skyview Investments about refurbishing the former WIC building behind the post office; Skyview's presenter was not prepared and the board asked that the item be placed on a future agenda.

Votes at a glance

- Table presentation by Skyview Investments on downtown WIC building refurbishment — Motion to table approved.
- Approval of meeting minutes from the prior meeting — Approved by voice vote.
- Corporate resolution (bank signatories) — Motion to amend authorized signatures approved unanimously; staff to collect signatures.
- Award construction contract: Los Velas Road expansion — Awarded to GA Utilities LLC (lowest bid reported at about $82,000); contract includes bonds and a $250/day liquidated-damages clause; motion carried.
- Executive-session item A: Authorize payment of $31,070 to the State of Texas (International Drive Project) — Motion carried; Fred Lopez abstained.
- Executive-session item B: Amend agreement for business prospect 2024-1 to include an additional $89,000 — Motion carried; David Reyna and Lupe Garza abstained.
- Executive-session item C: Amend agreement for prospect 2023-2 to permit up to $300,000 tied to milestones over a five-year tax schedule — Motion carried.

The board adjourned after the votes. Several items (including the Skyview Investments presentation) were rescheduled for a future meeting and the city council will also consider the road contract on its upcoming agenda, according to the EDC staff comments at the meeting.","At its March meeting the Rio Grande City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) voted to award a road construction contract, amend multiple economic-development agreements after executive session, and update authorized bank signatories. A presentation on a downtown building refurbishment was tabled for a later meeting.","actionData","errors"]

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EDC launches downtown Main Street workshop and preservation push; CDBG funds targeted to Britton Avenue

EDC finance report: sales-tax receipts topped $700,000 for first time; staff flags overtime and permit trends

EDC approves road contract, amends economic-development agreements and updates bank signatories; several items tabled