City of La Feria officials celebrated the Grand Re-Opening of the Bailey H. Dunlap Memorial Public Library.

The City of la Feria has a population of 7,302 who will now have access to a state of the art computer lab and community meeting/training room.

Mayor Pro-Tem Esmeralda Lozano gave vivid recollection of growing up in La Feria and frequently visiting the Dunlap public library and losing herself in books like Nancy Drew mysteries. Enhancing youth services with much needed new computer equipment and having a community room was a priority for the City of La Feria.

The two story addition to the existing building was completed in June 2014 and provides a computer lab, men’s and women’s restrooms, water fountains, lobby and information desk, all located downstairs and a meeting/conference room, restrooms, and a small kitchen area on the second floor with stair/elevator access.

The total estimated cost for the addition to the library was $1,150,000 which consisted of grants and loans and a local match to the grants. Funders included The United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development (USDA); the Rockwell Foundation; the Trull Foundation; the Tocker Foundation which provided the furniture and shelving; the La Feria Economic Development Corporation (LFEDC) and a donation from the George & Grace Dunlap estate in the amount of $277,090.90.

The residents of La Feria, as well as surrounding areas, will now have access to new computer lab equipment and a much needed community room for meetings, trainings, workshops etc.

Cameron County has been designated a Strike Force County by USDA due to the persistent poverty in the area.