Washington, DC (July 10, 2007) – Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) today announced that Hidalgo County has received a $323,995 grant from the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. The investment will support the development and implementation of a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for Hidalgo County.

“This investment will benefit the families and businesses in Hidalgo County and enable Hidalgo County to develop a solid blueprint outlining its unique path toward future economic success,” said Hinojosa. “Not only that, it will better prepare the area for an increasingly competitive global economy and ensure that South Texas continues to prosper for years to come.”

CEDS is designed to bring together the public and private sectors in the creation of an economic roadmap to diversify and strengthen regional economies. The CEDS analyzes the area’s economy and serves as a guide for establishing regional goals and objectives as well as plan of action. The planning also identifies investment priorities and funding sources and provides the flexibility to adapt to global economic conditions and fully utilize the region's unique advantages to maximize opportunity for its residents.