Barack Obama has taken his seat as President, now cities across the nation are asking for a piece of his proposed stimulus package. Laredo has already announced its wish list. Now one more Webb County area is doing the same but could it hit some bumps along the way?
We have learned the town of El Cenizo is asking for $10 million from the government all to put the town back on track and create jobs in the area.
The list seems simple, even light years away from the city of Laredo’s $423 million request.
“We're proposing and approximately $10 million stimulus package.”
El Cenizo's Mayor Raul Reyes is asking for millions to finish projects like sidewalks on all main roads, pave several unpaved or damaged roads, add restrooms and lighting at the town's brand new park and even finish a drainage system for the entire city.
Lack of funding has allowed drainage on only one street to be finished.
“It increases and betters the cities infrastructure and betters lives of our constituents.”
With projects lined up to be completed, the question now is whether or not the small town of El Cenizo can go up against thousand of cities across the nation.
City officials hope the simplicity of the list, as well as its immediate effect on el Cenizo's economy will win over the White House.
The Mayor says the city will even award contracts to local laborers to complete the projects.
Mayor Raul Reyes of the City of El Cenizo says “We're pretty sure that we can tap into some funding. Obviously 10 million dollars seems like a lot of money especially for a small border town but there's a great need.”
City officials say they are also requesting a new solid waste vehicle, funding for the police and fire departments and monies to build a new library.
Like the city of Laredo, they will have to wait and see what happens.