On December 15, 2008, the Office of Rural Community Affairs (ORCA) in cooperation with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) held a public hearing in the City of Harlingen to obtain comments on the distribution of funding for “necessary expenses related to disaster relief, long term recovery and restoration of infrastructure, housing and economic revitalization in areas affected by hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters occurring during 2008”.

Based on the State of Texas Plan for Disaster Recovery, the funding allocation to the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council (LRGVDC) Region is $15,347,037.37. It is the County’s contention that this funding level is inadequate considering that the damage to housing alone, based on FEMA data, was $50,000,000.

The LRGVDC includes Hidalgo County, Cameron County and Willacy County.


Resolution is being prepared. (will provide it by 12/24/08)