AUSTIN — On Tuesday, April 23, the Texas General Land Office (GLO) joined local and federal leaders to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony for the Main Floodwater Channel Expansion Project to expand main floodwater channels in Hidalgo County. The GLO approved $19,820,943 in Regional Mitigation Program funding to double the system's capacity, which will have a tremendous benefit for residents in Hidalgo County and the greater Rio Grande Valley region.

"The Texas General Land Office is honored to celebrate the groundbreaking of the floodwater channel expansion project in Hidalgo," said Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. "The GLO approved more than $19.8 million in historic Regional Mitigation Program funding for this effort to protect the lives and homes of Hidalgo County residents. This reflects our commitment to serve our communities for Hidalgo County and all Texans."

The two-part project funding was provided through the Community Development Block Grant for Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) program from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Phase I received an award from the GLO for $9,858,499. Phase II received an award from the GLO for $9,962,444. Both widen the existing Main Floodwater Channel within the existing Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 in Northern Hidalgo County.

This project will benefit 397,800 residents, of which a majority are low-to-moderate (LMI).