(Dalhart)-A groundbreaking ceremony to be held at the future intersection of Hilmar Lane and Cargill Court in Dalhart at the Vista Rita Blanca Apartments on Tuesday, June 26, 2018 11:00 a.m. to commence the construction of Phase II. The Vista Rita Blanca Apartments project is being developed by the Guadalupe Economic Services Corporation (GESC), a Texas nonprofit corporation. Joining GESC at the groundbreaking ceremony are representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the entity financing the proposed development.

Executive Director Diana Lopez commented, "We are pleased to begin construction of an additional 20 units of affordable housing. The planned large animal veterinary school by Texas Tech demonstrates the strong demand for agricultural products from this region of the country. Guadalupe Economic Services Corporations is committed to the mission of growing, educating and supporting rural communities by promoting agricultural workforce development and stabilization now and into the future is a goal for all our communities."

The Vista Rita Blanca Apartments will be constructed adjacent to Phase I located at 701 Maynard Street and will consist of ten duplex style 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom buildings. Each unit will have central heating/cooling, washer/dryer hook-ups, tile in kitchens and baths and in the living areas. In addition the ground floor units will have accessible no step entrances and will be constructed to meet federal energy efficiency standards.

The Vista Rita Blanca Apartments will be reserved for families earning 60% or less of the area median income, which is $49,200 for Dallam County. All units will receive project based rental assistance from USDA, which allows low-income residents to pay only 30% of their gross income toward rent.

The housing units are expected to be ready for leasing on or before Spring 2019. Leasing information is available by contacting JL Gray Management at 806.244.5647 or vistaritablanca@jlgray.com.

JL Gray Management will provide management services for the development.

About the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development:

As the source for the development financing USDA Multi-Family Housing Programs provide affordable multi-family rental housing in rural areas by financing projects geared for low-income, elderly and disabled individuals and families as well as domestic farm laborers. We extend our reach by guaranteeing loans for affordable rental housing designed for low to moderate-income residents in rural areas and towns.

About GESC

The Guadalupe Economic Services Corporation (GESC) is a multi-state Texas based non-profit organization whose mission is to grow, educate and support rural low-income Texans and other underserved populations who do not have comparable housing options through conventional financial channels. For more information, please visit www.gescorp.org.

About JL Gray

JL Gray Management is one of the largest Farm Labor management companies in the Southwest with properties in West Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah. They have over 135 affordable apartment complexes and are dedicated to serving these families.