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County moves to apply for federal and USDA grants to create "Nexus" business incubator and education partnerships
Summary
Judge Trevino and the court authorized submission of a Community Project Funding request and a USDA grant application to support a proposed Jim Wells County Nexus Center for Innovation and Growth (a business incubator and education partnership with A&M Kingsville and local partners).
The Jim Wells County Commissioner's Court on Feb. 28 authorized the county judge to submit a Community Project Funding request to Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz and separately approved pursuing a USDA grant to support a proposed business incubator the judge called the Jim Wells County Nexus Center for Innovation and Growth.
County Judge Pedro Pete Trevino Jr. described the plan as a two-phase initiative: (1) renovate part of the county’s bank building to create shared office space, conference rooms and high-speed internet access for start-ups and emerging businesses (an estimated $500,000 construction/equipment ask to the USDA was discussed), and (2) partner with A&M Kingsville to bring certificate and degree programs and workforce training to the county to prepare residents for local and regional employment opportunities, including anticipated jobs tied to a large proposed carbon-capture project elsewhere in the region.
Judge Trevino said the county population is about 38,399, has declined in recent years, and the project seeks to grow the tax base by helping businesses start and stay in Alice and Jim Wells County. He listed partners that would collaborate on programming and workforce development, including A&M Kingsville, Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Coastal Bend Workforce Solutions, local community colleges and independent school districts.
On the congressional CPF application (Rep. De La Cruz’s office), Trevino said he would obtain an engineer’s budget estimate on Monday to finalize the CPF dollar amount (he mentioned a rough range of $1 million to $1.2 million but said the engineer would provide a precise figure). The court approved submission of both grant applications and the judge said the county could decline awards if terms were unfavorable.
Ending: The court authorized application submissions and directed staff to obtain necessary budget estimates and prepare final grant materials; partners and program details will be refined if the county receives award offers.
