A $13 million federal grant is set to fuel a green transformation, enhancing the community’s environmental infrastructure in the small town of Presidio, Texas.
The initiative, driven by local youth, is largely attributed to Ramon Rodriguez, a young environmentalist from Presidio, who played a key role in securing the funding.
Presidio, a border town with a population of around 3,000, faces challenges typical of rural communities, including limited municipal infrastructure.
However, the town is now on track to address environmental issues through a range of initiatives supported by the grant.
Rodriguez, who initiated Project Homeleaf, has been a persistent advocate for environmental improvements in his town since elementary school.
His vision for a greener Presidio led him to collaborate with local authorities and organizations to secure the funding, which is part of the Infrastructure Reduction Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2022.
The Environmental Protection Agency allocated $53 million in federal funds for similar projects across Texas, with Presidio receiving a significant portion.
The grant will support various initiatives, including the creation of green spaces, pedestrian streets, and bike lanes, along with the planting of thousands of native trees to improve air quality and provide shade.
Additionally, the project will implement an air quality monitoring program run by high school students, allowing young residents to contribute to local environmental efforts.
Other aspects of the grant include the installation of solar panels and battery backups at the Presidio Activity Center, which serves as a cooling center during extreme heat.
The project will also address traffic management issues, including the installation of tools to reduce congestion at the international bridge connecting Presidio to Mexico.
Christina Hernandez, co-director of the Big Bend Conservation Alliance, which will manage the funds, expressed optimism about the positive impact these projects will have on the community.
The initiatives are expected to take about three years to implement, with the hope that Presidio’s efforts will serve as a model for other rural areas in Texas.
Mayor John Ferguson acknowledged the town’s infrastructure limitations, noting that many areas lack basic services like paved roads and sewage systems.
However, he emphasized that the federal grant provides an opportunity to make meaningful improvements.
Joni Carswell, President of Texan by Nature, highlighted the importance of strengthening infrastructure to address environmental challenges across the state.