EDC presents Small Business Boost grants and hears Laundromat/strip-center redevelopment plan

The Rio Grande City Economic Development Corporation recognized local business grant recipients and reviewed developer plans for downtown redevelopment during the meeting.

Staff presented Small Business Boost grants to two recipients. The first recipient, identified in the meeting as Mister Jimmy, received his award and offered brief remarks; staff described the program as designed to attract and retain businesses and encouraged recipients to refer other businesses to the EDC. A second award went to Custom Audio (representative: Mister Jose), who was told the funds could be used for marketing, remodeling or other business needs.

Isabel Flores of Real Prime provided a short presentation and confirmed she had submitted an incentive application; staff said her project materials were in the meeting binder and that the application appears on the executive agenda for review.

Developer Delfino Gaona of Keystone Construction (also referenced as 8300 Construction/DGG investments) presented a redevelopment plan for a building near the post office on Eisenhower. Gaona described taking a vacant building from the 1970s and converting roughly 4,000 square feet into a 24/7, cashless laundromat with more than 60 dryers, plus six smaller tenant units. He described tenant-size ranges (roughly 800 to 2,300 sq ft), two south-side tenants already interested, and prior redevelopment experience in other Valley cities. Gaona said demolition permits have been submitted and equipment and layouts are largely ready, with a target opening in March–April of the next year.

Board members asked clarifying questions about unit sizes, tenant mix and estimated time of completion; Gaona said permits were submitted, demo permit was obtained, and he expected a March–April opening if schedules hold.