Grant writer outlines DC outreach and Samsung cybersecurity submission; county updates EMS station in Dilley

Frio County's grant consultant told the Commissioner's Court the county is intensifying outreach to secure project funding and reported a recent cybersecurity grant submission.

Yvette Utley of Lone Star Strategy Group told the court she and the judge planned meetings with U.S. congressional staff in Washington, D.C., at the end of the month to discuss a community project for which the county is seeking roughly $2 million to $3 million. Utley said, "We're hoping for about 2 to 3,000,000, so this is gonna be our year." She also said the county finalized and submitted a Samsung cybersecurity mitigation grant application in the amount of $58,885 to fund an assessment and mitigation work (firewall, patching and related services) and that the vendor proposal references prior ransomware response work in Brooks County.

Utley described preparations for "Frio County days at the Capitol," a recognition visit for commissioners and guests likely scheduled for the first week in March, and said county staff were coordinating with the congressman's office on a final date and logistics.

Separately, county leadership provided a construction update on a new EMS station in Dilley. The judge said renovations at a site adjacent to Old Faith Christian Center are nearly complete and that EMS personnel currently housed in a FEMA trailer should move into the new station within roughly two weeks. The judge noted the station will provide around-the-clock service for Dilley residents.

The update also included brief introductions of new and auxiliary staff supporting grants and county facilities work.

Ending: The court received the updates as informational; commissioners asked no substantive follow-up motions during the presentation.