By Pete Vasquez
Pvasquez@cherryroad.com

The Rural Economic Assistance League, Inc., Board of Directors, Staff and Volunteers broke ground on a multi-million-dollar facility Wednesday afternoon, Mar. 12 on the long awaited REAL Regional Transportation Headquarters and Maintenance Complex. The ceremonial groundbreaking event drew several residents, local and state elected and transportation officials.

The existence of a transportation system in Alice goes back more than fifty years when the late Tina Villanueva, an advocate for the poor and former Pct. 1 County Commissioner.

“My grandmother was a pioneer and true Texas trailblazer. She championed the underserved her entire life. She raffled off a goat to start a company that provided transportation to the elderly and disabled, the Rural Economic Assistance League (REAL),” said Javier Antoine Villanueva, the late commissioner’s grandson.

Guests parked at the Alice Natatorium & Water park and Shuttle services provided transport to and from the event site. The milestone event marked the beginning of construction of a new state-of-the-art facility that will be dedicated to revolutionizing transportation services in the region.