In Bryan, Cornyn Announces $125 Million in Relief Funding for the Region So Far
Statement
BRYAN -- U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) announced today at the Brazos Valley Food Bank that various entities in the Bryan-College Station region so far have been allocated nearly $124,600,000 in federal coronavirus relief resources from Congress. While there he helped sort and pack boxes of food for local families in need. He was hosted by Food Bank Executive Director Theresa Mangapora, who provided a tour and briefing about the Food Bank's response to increased demand in the Brazos Valley during the pandemic.
While there, Sen. Cornyn learned about the Brazos Valley Food Bank's use of federal resources available through the CARES Act, which he supported in March, as well as their outstanding needs as the Senate discusses a fifth coronavirus relief bill. Chancellor John Sharp of the Texas A&M University System, Mayor Andrew Nelson of Bryan, Mayor Karl Mooney of College Station, Superintendent Dr. Christie Whitbeck of Bryan ISD, and CEO Theron Park of St. Joseph's Health also shared how they have used CARES Act grants to benefit the community.
Following the tour and volunteer opportunities, Sen. Cornyn then held a socially-distanced joint press conference.
Thus far, Sen. Cornyn has worked to secure nearly $124.6 million in funding for the Bryan-College Station area, including:
Brazos Valley Food Bank
160,047 pounds of food for Texans in need
Local Health Care Facilities: $40 million
CHI St. Joseph Health System: $ 21,464,342
Cared for more than 1,650 COVID patients
Processed more than 9,100 COVID tests
Set up a free-standing respiratory clinic for COVID patients to reduce cross-contamination
Converted an entire unit to negative pressure rooms for COVID patients
Purchased 12 ICU beds, 10 vents, 6 high flow nasal cannulas, 120 vials of Remdesivir, 2 lab machines for testing
Continued pay and benefits for 3,000 local workers
Conducted cross-over training for nurses and therapists to care for COVID patients
Local Public Transportation: $8.8 million
Local Airports: $1.4 million
City and County Governments: $13,732,087
City of Bryan: $4,687,320
Assisted 901 residents with rent, utilities, food, transportation, and health care
Funded public health expenditures
Provided $346,305 in grants to small businesses to retain jobs
City of College Station: $7,607,397
$975,000 to assist residents with rent, utilities, medical needs, and food
$197,501 to help local small businesses retain jobs
Helped local hospitals with coronavirus expenses
Brazos County: $1,437,370
Funded 5 COVID Case Managers to assist rural parts of the county
Aided first responders responding to the coronavirus in Kurten, Millican, and Wixon Valley
Local Colleges & Universities: $54 million
Local Public Schools: $6.6 million
Bryan ISD: $5,220,114
2,900 Chromebooks for remote learning
Technology improvements for remote learning
Teachers' salaries
Source