WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) secured critical funds for agriculture and rural communities in Texas’s 23rd District in the FY 2022 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Appropriations bill. 

“Between the COVID-19 pandemic, severe weather, and the crisis at our southern border, our farmers, ranchers, producers and rural areas have faced a variety of challenges over the last year,” said Congressman Gonzales. “I am excited to see the inclusion of many helpful initiatives to our agricultural and rural communities in this bill.”

Congressman Gonzales worked to secure funds for the following Community Project Funding request:

  • $562,500 for the Medina County Senior Center: The current senior center is from the 1940s and operates out of the old Hondo Regional Airport and is infested with asbestos and faulty infrastructure. A new facility will be used to provide meals to seniors through the Meals on Wheels partnership, and other important resources. 

“A new senior center in Medina County will allow the senior community to have better access to Meals on Wheels and other critical programs available to them,” said Congressman Gonzales. “I am thrilled to see the new senior center be included into this Appropriations bill and look forward to seeing all the various ways the community will utilize the building.”

Additionally, Congressman Gonzales helped to include the following language and funds to help farmers, ranchers, producers and rural communities across the district: 

  • Secured Report Language to help eradicate Cattle Fever Tick. 
  • Secured Report Language to help with Feral Swine (Wild Hogs) eradication and damage control. 
  • $20,157,000 level funding for the Circuit Rider Program, a program that provides assistance to rural water systems.
  • $6,000,000 to help assist businesses with ten or fewer employees in rural communities.