AUSTIN, TEXAS — Today, the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) approved three project applications from the Nueces County Drainage and Conservation District No. 2 ("District") for financial assistance through the Flood Infrastructure Fund (FIF) for a portion of each project's total cost. All three project were approved under Category 2 of the 2020 Flood Intended Use Plan, which is designed for planning, acquisition, design, and construction activities to implement flood mitigation projects.

The District needs to enhance the infrastructure and address frequent flooding within the District's service area. The Casa Blanca Drainage Improvements Project was approved for $809,600 in financial assistance consisting of $437,000 in financing and a $372,600 grant to address poor drainage and dilapidated infrastructure in the Casa Blanca subdivision. This project is estimated to be finished by January 9, 2025. The Bosquez Road/Avenue J Drainage Improvements Project was approved for $2,453,716 in financial assistance consisting of $1,325,000 in financing and a $1,128,716 grant to address recurring flooding problems in the area. For the second project, the estimated completion date is on October 19, 2023. The Ditch “A” and Bluebonnet Drainage Improvements Project was approved for $1,311,320 in financial assistance consisting of $839,000 in financing and a $472,320 grant to address the repeated residential flooding at the Bluebonnet subdivision in the City of Robstown. The third project is estimated to be finished by June 20, 2024.

The 2019 Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 7, which created the FIF program to provide funding for flood mitigation projects. The FIF program provides financial assistance in the form of loans with an interest rate of 0% and grants for flood control, flood mitigation, and drainage projects. As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee and a co-author of Senate Bill 500 during the 86th Legislative Session, Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa was instrumental in securing funding to start the FIF program through a one-time transfer of $793 million from the "Rainy Day" Fund.

Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa issued the following statement:
I appreciate the leadership of the Nueces County Drainage and Conservation District No. 2 for taking advantage of the Flood Infrastructure Fund program and for their work to submit multiple applications. It's great news that today's actions by the TWDB, will help address poor drainage, recurring flood problems, and improve these subdivisions in the City of Robstown. The City and its citizens will greatly benefit due to these investments."

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