Eagle Pass City Council Reaffirms Commitment for $1.5 Million for Infrastructure of New Sul Ross State University Campus
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2024
The City of Eagle Pass, Texas City Council unanimously approved to “continue” its commitment of a maximum $1,500,000 dollars contribution for the construction of a new infrastructure roadway for the new Sul Ross State University campus scheduled to be developed on over 100 acres donated by Larry Levine and Eagle Pass Ranch Partnership along U. S. Highway 57 at their special meeting held on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, reaffirming the City’s support for this key educational and economic development project in the community.
The Texas Legislature authorized approximately $31 million in the 88th Legislative Session held during 2023 to the Texas State University System for the construction of a multi-purpose building for the proposed four year university campus in Eagle Pass, Texas. However, a development study estimated the cost to construct the main roadway from U. S. Highway 57 to the proposed campus site and extend all utilities to the campus would cost about $10 million. The project ran into difficulties when Southwest Texas Junior College opposed the opening of a four year campus in Eagle Pass and Maverick County under the leadership of County Judge Ramsey English Cantu backed down from contributing the county’s share for construction of the roadway and utilities due to lack of funds.
Real estate developer Larry Levine and his Eagle Pass Ranch Partnership stepped up with proposing to pay for part or all of the roadway and utilities in the event the local governmental entities were unable to contribute to the project.
The Eagle Pass City Council reaffirmed its full support for the four year university campus being built and developed in Eagle Pass by agreeing to continue their $1.5 million pledge to the project. In addition, Congressman Tony Gonzales, who sits on the U. S. House of Representatives powerful Appropriations Committee, has requested another $1.5 million from the federal government to assist with the funding of the roadway and utilities for the project. Although Maverick County supports the four year university campus, County Judge Cantu and Commissioners Court have not yet approved any funding for the project.
State Representative Heriberto Morales, Jr. will reintroduce in the next Texas Legislative Session the bill to authorize Sul Ross State University to offer and become an independent four year university campus in Eagle Pass of the Texas State University System. Texas State University Chancellor Dr. Brian McCall and Sul Ross State University President Dr. Carlos Hernandez support the development and construction of the new four year university campus in Eagle Pass.
Local public officials, Sul Ross State University representatives, and entrepreneurs formed a committee to advocate and lobby for the development of the new four year university campus in Eagle Pass. Committee members and local officials anticipate that the Texas Legislature will approve the four year university campus in the 2025 Legislative Session and funding for the infrastructure costs raised to commence this critical educational and economic development jewel for the Eagle Pass and Maverick County community.
Eagle Pass and Maverick County public officials and economic development experts are confident that the new four year university campus will transform the economy of the community as well as open educational opportunities to local, out of town, and international students.
