Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $900,000 in American Rescue Plan Funds for Improvements at Veterans Park Memorial to Support Tourism in Fabens, Texas

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding an $900,000 grant to El Paso County Water Control & Improvement District #4, Fabens, Texas, to improve the Veterans Park Memorial and recreation area. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This project will construct a Veterans Memorial in the existing park to support the local tourism and outdoor recreation industry and bring new visitors to the city and its businesses. This EDA grant will be matched with $233,298 in local funds.

“The travel and tourism industry is an important part of many local economies across the country,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will improve a tourism draw for Fabens, attracting new visitors to the city and creating job and business opportunities for the surrounding areas.”

“The Economic Development Administration’s investment in the City of Fabens will help fund improvements to the Veterans Park Memorial, attracting new visitors and boosting local tourism,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “This grant will usher in new economic opportunities to the community and will continue to grow and develop the Trans-Pecos region.”

This project is funded under EDA’s $240 million competitive American Rescue Plan Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation program. EDA awarded $510 million in 2021 to all 50 states and territories. The two programs are designed to accelerate the recovery of communities that rely on the travel, tourism and outdoor recreation sectors. Effective May 26, 2022, EDA has officially closed all of its American Rescue Plan programs for applications. The $3 billion program funding will be awarded on a rolling basis through September 30, 2022.

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Rio Grande Council of Governments (RGCOG). EDA funds RGCOG to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.