local
Rep. Gonzalez delivers $850K to Mercedes for drainage improvements
By Francisco E. Jimenez at MyRGV
· July 7, 2026
· 3 min read
MERCEDES — U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Brownsville , was in Mercedes to deliver funding for improvements to the city’s stormwater system on Tuesday.
Gonzalez presented a check for $850,000 to the city Tuesday morning at Mercedes City Hall. He explained that the funding came from the Fiscal Year ...
Key takeaway Gonzalez presented a check for $850,000 to the city Tuesday morning at Mercedes City Hall.
Why this matters in The Brownsville
The $850,000 in funding for Mercedes' stormwater system is a crucial investment for the city, given its history of flooding issues. As a major border and immigration hub in the Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville and its surrounding areas, including Mercedes, are prone to severe weather events like Gulf hurricanes, which can exacerbate flooding problems. The funding will help address outdated stormwater lines in specific locations, such as near South Vermont Avenue and Collier Park, which have experienced persistent flooding. This effort is particularly significant in the context of the region's ongoing struggles with drainage and flooding, as evidenced by the recent flooding in March 2025 that damaged sewer lift stations in Combes. The concurrent project to dig a new detention pond on the south side of Mercedes will also help mitigate flooding risks, and Rep. Gonzalez's commitment to delivering funding to other small communities in the Valley, including those in Willacy County and the Harlingen and Brownsville areas, is a welcome step towards addressing the region's broader flooding concerns.
About this story
Original reporting by MyRGV . The Brownsville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit MyRGV . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: MyRGV ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? MERCEDES — U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Brownsville, was in Mercedes to deliver funding for improvements to the city’s stormwater system on Tuesday.
Gonzalez presented a check for $850,000 to the city Tuesday morning at Mercedes City Hall. He explained that the funding came from the Fiscal Year ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by MyRGV and curated for The Brownsville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Francisco E. Jimenez at MyRGV. To learn more about how The Brownsville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Brownsville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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