The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio will receive $2.1 million from the CPS Community Infrastructure and Economic Development Fund to support the development of the Medical Arts and Research Center building and the South Texas Research Tower, currently under construction.
The University of Texas at San Antonio also will receive up to $1.5 million. With its student population expected to grow from 27,000 to more than 33,000 by 2010, the funds will provide the electrical infrastructure to support future growth at the 1604 campus.
The CPS Energy Board of Trustees voted March 26 to award the money to the Health Science Center based upon a recommendation in December from the San Antonio City Council. “These new facilities will strengthen San Antonio’s reputation as a center for research through the new Institute of Nanomedicine and for new biomedical business development through the proposed Texas Research Foundation Incubator facility, both of which are to be housed in these new buildings,” said Tom Long of CPS Energy Economic Development.
Prior to 2005, CPS Energy monies were set aside in an Overhead Conversion Fund that was available only for conversion of overhead electric lines and equipment to underground or to upgrade overhead lines for aesthetic purposes. In January 2005, the CPS Energy Board passed a new CIED Fund policy that expands uses to include environmental and economic development projects with a proven cost-benefit to CPS Energy and its customers.
