By Louis Zylka
The 830 Times
Mayor Al Arreola will attend the Ports-to-Plains Interstate 27 Advantage Conference from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 in Lubbock.
During its April 26 regular meeting, the City Council authorized Arreola, Mayor Pro-tem Jim DeReus and Councilman Jesus Lopez Jr. to attend the event. Councilwoman Ernestina “Tina” Martinez made the motion, seconded by Councilman J.P. Sanchez.
Councilman Randy Quinones proposed an amendment to limit attendance to one of the three officials, and it passed limiting it to only the mayor going. Arreola said he had “no trouble” attending.
The Ports-to-Plains Corridor project aims to expand Interstate 27 from Canada to Mexico. Supporters say the extension would reduce commercial traffic congestion and boost economic growth in Del Rio and other Texas communities.
Arreola told The 830 Times conference organizers want mayors and county judges to gather in Lubbock for presentations advocating the expansion. He said he will lobby for the corridor to pass through San Angelo and Del Rio.
“The most important thing is to show how interested Del Rio is in the extension and the need for more commercial traffic to run by us,” Arreola said.
Arreola said the corridor would not only help commercial traffic move more efficiently but also benefit local businesses.
He added that Orestes Hubbard, the city’s new economic development director; Jorge Ramon, the city’s former EDC director; and Blanca Larson, president of the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce, will also attend. Ramon will represent Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila.
