City of Donna leaders, including Mayor David Simmons and City Councilwoman Sonia Gallegos, together with Advent GX Managing Partner JD Salinas III, hosted a meeting with Judith A. Canales, acting Deputy Under Secretary for US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, and USDA Regional Representative Roel Gomez. This week’s meeting followed a briefing with USDA State Director Paco Valentin who facilitated the meeting with Canales.

Advent GX Managing Partner JD Salinas III met with Donna leaders and USDA Under Secretary Judith Canales to discuss the city’s development plans.

These meetings provided the opportunity for city leaders and Advent GX to brief Ms. Canales on the recent activity in Donna and the planned process already underway to move the city into a better economic position. The Under Secretary graciously offered advice to the group and shared ideas on how Donna might save money and compete for future funding support for specific projects.

Some of the topics of discussion included improving the potential for heritage tourism, using the local Donna history to enhance economic development, and providing funding for infrastructure.  Mayor Simmons expressed his thoughts on trying to obtain commercial traffic on the Donna-Rio Bravo International Bridge but said that he wants to take a comprehensive approach to generating economic activity in the City of Donna.

Advent GX will continue to facilitate briefing sessions with state and local entities as part of an ongoing effort to update stakeholders on the progression of Donna.