Val Verde Seeks Nearly Six Million in Grants for Laughlin

At its Dec. 30 meeting, the Val Verde County Commissioners Court authorized the county judge to submit applications for Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grants to support infrastructure projects at Laughlin Air Force Base. The court approved two applications: a $5 million request to update and modernize the base airfield lighting system and a $985,000 request to help fund a tactical aircrew fitness complex known as Comprehensive Readiness for Aircrew Flying Training, or CRAFT.

The airfield lighting targeted for replacement dates to 1968, making the system more than five decades old. Modern lighting would improve night and low-visibility operations, enhance flight safety and reduce maintenance burdens on the base. The CRAFT fitness complex is intended to support aircrew readiness and training; county officials estimate the fitness-center project would take at least one year to complete if funding is approved.

Although the court has moved to seek these grants, approval is not guaranteed. The county has pursued similar funding in the past and was previously denied, underscoring the competitive nature of federal defense adjustment assistance. By authorizing the county judge to submit the applications, commissioners signaled local priority for projects that directly affect Laughlin’s operational capability and the base’s integration with the local economy.

Laughlin Air Force Base is a principal employer and economic engine in Val Verde County; investments in its infrastructure can create near-term construction and contracting work and help stabilize long-term employment tied to base operations. A modernized airfield and improved training facilities also support base readiness, which has implications beyond the immediate community by sustaining the facility’s ability to meet regional and national training needs.

The county’s action follows continued attention to Laughlin’s facilities and readiness. If grant awards are secured, project planning, procurement and construction timelines will determine how quickly residents see economic impacts and how operations at the base are enhanced. For now, the court’s authorization represents a formal step toward seeking federal assistance to update aging infrastructure and to strengthen aircrew training support for Laughlin Air Force Base.