City Wins Two State Military Grants for NASCC and CCAD
AUSTIN, TX - The City of Corpus Christi was awarded two grants from the State of Texas totaling more than six million dollars for a new water supply line for Naval Air Station Corpus Christi (NASCC) and perimeter fencing and access control gates for Army helicopter repair facilities at the Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD).
The Texas Military Preparedness Commission (TMPC) selected the City’s applications from 13 submitted for the Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant (DEAAG) program. Applicants requested more than $42 million worth of projects for the $20 million in funding appropriated by the 85th Texas Legislature.
“Christmas has come early to Corpus Christi,” proclaimed Mayor Joe McComb. “Having both grant applications selected for funding has never happened in the history of DEAAG. The City has been so close in two previous rounds, so I could not be more pleased with today’s outcome.”
The City’s project for NASCC called for construction and connection of a new water pipeline on the north perimeter of Naval Air Station Corpus Christi to strategically ensure resilient and redundant supply of water to the base’s 41 tenant commands and the 506 facilities that are critical to the base's mission.
“The City, NASCC, CCAD and the United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce’s South Texas Military Facilities Task Force have been working together for many months on these applications,” Mayor McComb explained. “After being just outside the money in the first two DEAAG rounds, all of us were committed to finding projects tied directly to NASCC’s and CCAD’s missions.”
The Navy and the 41 tenant commands on the base, including the Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD), use approximately one million gallons of water per day supplied by the City through a single 16-inch water line, which is more than 76 years old. Were NASCC to suffer a casualty to single point of delivery 16-inch diameter line, which is significantly corroded and destined to fail due to its age, the entire operation on the base, would have to cease operations within 96 hours due to the lack of water quality.
According to the City’s NASCC DEAAG application, the City’s Utilities Department will invest just under $1.2 million of Capital Improvement Program Bond Funds to extend a water line along Ocean Drive from Ennis Joslin to Navy property. DEAAG funds will be used to extend the water line on Navy property to the water plant on the base.
"I would like to personally thank the City of Corpus Christi and South Texas Military Facilities Task Force for their tremendously diligent efforts in pursuing the Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant,” said Captain Phil Brock, Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. “Their persistence and hard work in the pursuit of this funding exemplifies their solid support of the Naval Air Station and all local military. Without the support of this great community and its leaders, we would not be able to sustain our mission. The ongoing partnerships we have developed with the City, United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce's South Texas Military Facilities Task Force, and other community members is exceptional and their dedication to continuously enhance the military value of the air station is beyond reproach."
The City’s project for CCAD promotes the best in national security as the Army helicopter sustainment facilities undergo a physical security update. Perimeter fencing and access control gates will enhance the safety and well-being of all personnel, mission-critical aircraft, components and property. The City is contributing approximately $1.2 million in Capital Improvement Program Bond Funds for the water line project as match. CCAD will also contribute more than one million dollars in Army Working Capital Funds to repair and replace fencing, gates, doors and security cameras damaged by Hurricane Harvey.
“The City of Corpus Christi and the South Texas Military Facilities Task Force are some of the most patriotic supporters I've met who genuinely value and understand the role CCAD, the US Army and all of our local military has in our nation's defense," said CCAD Commander, Col. Allan H. Lanceta. “Although we already have a sound security system in place at CCAD, this upgrade will truly reinforce what we already have in place and will provide an extra measure of security to the CCAD mission.”
“I’d like to extend a sincere thanks to our South Texas community for their continued support of our Army mission. They are the foundation of our aviation maintenance industry. CCAD is appreciative of the work the Texas Military Facilities Task Force and the City of Corpus Christi have done to ensure this initiative had the highest priority. As the Army mission continues to evolve, we look forward to enduring partnerships that will foster continued growth and opportunities for a safer and stronger South Texas.”
“The South Texas Military Facilities Task Force is ecstatic with the selection of two DEAAG projects benefitting NASCC and CCAD,” said Wes Hoskins, Chairman of the Task Force. “We’ve been working cooperatively with the City and military leaders to identify unmet infrastructure and facility needs that further the critical missions in the Coastal Bend. For years we’ve advocated for the State of Texas to invest in DEAAG to protect military bases and we are thrilled our work has paid off.”
The tentative schedule for the both projects is for construction to begin in Summer 2018 and complete the project before the end of the State’s 2018 fiscal year (August 31, 2019), as required by the DEAAG program. First, however, the Navy has to agree to accept the gift of these projects by the City.
For more information, please contact Intergovernmental Relations Director Tom Tagliabue at (361) 400-8807 or by email at tomtag@cctexas.com.
