Hispanic-serving Institutions Assisting Communities Program
FY 1999 Awardees

The University of Texas-Pan American will receive a Hispanic-serving Institutions Assisting Communities Program grant of $398,900 to create the Rio Grande Valley One Stop Capital Shop. The Shop will help create and expand businesses and provide parents the jobs they need to build safe homes and healthy communities.

The target area is part of four counties located on the United States-Mexico border that comprise the Rio Grande Valley's Empowerment Zone. The communities to be assisted are Edcouch, La Villa, Port Isabel, and Rio Grande City. Sixty percent of the residents of these communities meet the Federal poverty levels, as compared to a national level of 12 percent.

The grant will fund a comprehensive array of outreach, training and technical assistance services in coordination with other local public, private, and nonprofit organizations. Workshops will be offered on a wide variety of business issues, such as starting a business and preparing a business plan. Technical assistance will be provided on a one-on-one basis to business clients.

The University has marshaled over $1.2 million dollars for the project.

Contact: Roland S. Arriola, 956-381-3361

Content Archived: January 20, 2009