On Monday, Congressman Henry Cuellar announced that South Texas College (STC) and the Starr County Industrial Foundation (SCIF) received $100,000 in federal funding from U.S. Department of Commerce through the Economic Development Administration’s Technical Assistance Program. Additionally, STC, SCIF, and other partners contributed $25,0000 in local match funding. The award will be used to develop the Starr County Strategic Plan, which focuses on workforce and economic development. Once complete, the strategic plan will help diversify and boost economic development throughout the Starr County region “Having a highly skilled workforce is one of the key components to growing our economy,” said Congressman Cuellar. “This funding will yield lasting economic benefits for businesses and people throughout Starr County by allowing South Texas College to expand upon its Workforce and Economic Development Plan, providing opportunities to educate and train both their students and their workforce. It is one of the best investments we have made for the people of South Texas." He continued, “ I want to thank STC Board of Trustees & President of the Starr County Industrial Foundation Rose Benavidez, South Texas College President Dr. Shirley Reed, and STC Executive Officer for External Relations Wanda Garza for their dedication to the community and the economic development of Starr county. I also thank Starr County Judge Eloy Vera and the Economic Development Administration Area Director Jorge Ayala for working so closely with these organizations to help secure this funding.”
“Our partnership with South Texas College has created immeasurable opportunities for meaningful economic development that is based on viable business recruitment and skills training,” said Rose Benavidez, President of the Starr County Industrial Foundation and Vice Chair of the South Texas College Board of Trustees. “This EDA grant will ensure that we maximize our joint efforts to strengthen our economic growth and set forth a plan to achieve a sustained level of success in Starr County and the region.” EDA Regional Director Jorge Ayala said, “We commend South Texas College and the Starr County Industrial Foundation for developing a strategic plan for Starr County. This plan will help guide and boost economic development throughout the region.” “South Texas College thanks the Economic Development Administration, the Starr County Industrial Foundation, and the employers and workforce in Starr County,” said Dr. Shirley A. Reed, President of South Texas College. “Together we continue to build the partnerships and train the high-skilled workforce that leads to meaningful employment, regional prosperity, and the sustainable improvement of communities.” Congressman Cuellar will continue to collaborate with individuals in the public and private sectors to bring innovative solutions and federal funding to South Texas.
Founded in 1993, South Texas College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and offers more than 120 degree & certificate options, including associate degrees in a variety of liberal art, social science, business, math, science, technology, advanced manufacturing and allied health fields of study. Additionally, South Texas College is the only community college in the State of Texas to offer four baccalaureate degrees. South Texas College has a faculty and staff of more than 2,700 to serve the college’s six campuses, two higher education centers, and one virtual campus.
Since 2000, the college has served over 99,000 dual credit students at 78 school sites, saving families hundreds of thousands of dollars in tuition.
Created in 1974 the Starr County Industrial Foundation (SCIF) is a non-profit organization founded and supported by local government and business leaders that are committed to further develop and diversify the local economy through sound, controlled economic growth. Over the years SCIF has developed a core competency in a varied spectrum of administrative and promotion roles which has placed it in a position to capitalize industrial and economical development in the Starr County region.
