Cuellar Nabs Federal Funds for SAWS and Ready to Work Programs

SAN ANTONIO – In an impressive move for San Antonio, a vital injection of federal funds has been secured which promises to fortify local workforce programs and develop robust infrastructure for the city. Congressman Henry Cuellar has announced that a staggering 15 South Texas projects, including the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) and the Ready to Work program, will benefit from the new appropriations bill, promoting the city’s stability and growth.

Revitalizing Infrastructure: SAWS to Receive $959,757

Focused on preventing further disaster and cultivating the city’s economy, the appropriations bill includes a significant budget of $959,757 allocated for SAWS. The goal? To support the installation of generators to secure the water supply during severe adverse events, as exemplified by the Winter Storm Uri of 2021 which resulted in sweeping power outages across the state.

Cuellar emphasized the value of this provision to the city’s disaster resilience: “If these generators would have been in place, the power would have gone out, but the water would have still been pumping.” SAWS Chief Operating Officer, Andrea Beymer, corroborated these statements, expressing gratitude for the funding and highlighting the long-term determination to invest up to $250 million in these safety-net generators over the coming decade.

Paving the Way for Future Workforce: $1.3M Investment in Ready to Work Program

Meanwhile, an additional $1.3 million is set to be channeled into the expansion of San Antonio’s apprenticeship programs via the Ready to Work initiative. This strategic move is poised to address the city’s existing workforce issues, as noted by Mike Ramsey, Executive director of workforce development for San Antonio. “We have an aging workforce. In order to get more young people engaged in those pathways, pre apprenticeship to apprenticeship pathways have a tried and tested method of making that happen,” he said.

These funds will be directed to Local 66 International Association of Ironworkers for equipment that will facilitate the city’s growth. The investment solidifies San Antonio as a hub for apprenticeship programs, fueling prosperity for all stakeholders involved.

Above and Beyond: Addressing Income Disparity through Apprenticeship

San Antonio’s median income, though higher than the national average, doesn’t quite cover the basic needs of its working poor population. This scenario underscores the city’s pressing income disparity issue. The Ready to Work program’s “earn while you learn” apprenticeships initiative directly tackles this problem, enhancing the prospects of those caught in the socio-economic crunch to improve their living conditions while still managing to keep their households running.

With President Biden expected to sign the appropriations bill by the end of the day tomorrow, San Antonio residents can look forward to witnessing the city’s transformative development in infrastructure and workforce growth. This is indeed a remarkable step for the city, indicating a brighter, stable, and more prosperous future for all its citizens.