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Nonprofit outlines Justice40 grant opportunities for Starr County
Summary
Allison Guzman of the Rio Grande International Study Center briefed the Starr County Commissioners Court on Jan. 13 about Justice40 grant themes and resources aimed at disadvantaged census tracts, and offered to connect county staff with application support and resources.
Allison Guzman, Justice40 program manager at the Rio Grande International Study Center, told the Starr County Commissioners Court on Jan. 13 that the federal Justice40 initiative offers funding opportunities that could apply to Starr County projects.
Guzman said Justice40 targets disadvantaged communities and can support projects beyond traditional environmental work, including energy-efficiency upgrades, housing-related improvements and community health projects. "These grants can have environmental components, but they don't necessarily need to be, like, parks related or anything," she said. "It can be, like, electric mechanics or energy efficient installation for homes or solar panels, that kind of thing."
Guzman said the organization's analysis for Starr County uses census-tract data. "There are 15 census tracts in Starr County," she said, noting that all 15 tracts qualify for a workforce-development burden and that many show high levels of linguistic isolation. She said those indicators make the county a candidate for Justice40-priority funding and that she brought an infographic to share with commissioners and county staff.
Guzman offered to identify specific grant opportunities and to connect county staff with application resources. She said her organization can help find grants that match county priorities and can refer the county to partners who perform application work. "I can put you in touch with resources that can help you apply for grants, so actually doing that work," she said, and provided contact information on the handout she left with the court.
Court members asked procedural questions about how the county's Federal/State Programs office would work with Guzman on a countywide drainage study and other needs; Guzman said she could share targeted opportunities and follow up with county staff. No formal action or vote was taken on the presentation.
Guzman identified her affiliation as the Rio Grande International Study Center and described her role as Justice40 program manager. She remained available in the meeting room after her remarks to speak with county staff and commissioners.
