Los Fresnos News

AEP Unveils New Service Center in Los Fresnos

AEP staff, city and business leaders and Texas Sen. Eddie Lucio cutting red ribbon to mark the completion of the new center. Photo: Tony Vindell/LFN

by Tony Vindell/LFN

AEP has unveiled a new service center company officials said will enable them to respond more efficiently, rapidly and safely.

Located at FM 510 and FM 1847, also known as Paredes Line Road, the 32,350-square-foot, multi-million-dollar facility will house 20 employees and will replace a service center the company had in the Port Isabel-South Padre Island area.

Judith E. Talavera, AEP Texas president and CEO, described the company project as a beautiful facility that took a little more than a year to complete.

“We were here last June (2017) to break ground,” she said. “We now have a building that can withstand a Category 4 hurricane.”

Talavera said the new service center is part of a commitment AEP is making in the Rio Grande Valley.

“This is going to be a home away from home for 20 company employees,” she said. “This more centralized building is for you and I hope you will enjoy it.”

Tom Coad, vice president of Distribution Region Operations, said that the opening of the new service center begins a new era for AEP Texas and its operations in the Los Fresnos area.

“This new facility will help us operate more efficiently,” he said. “The new location will decrease the wait time for construction materials coming from our Harlingen Service Center, which will in turn help in our service response time in the area.”

The service center will store equipment and construction materials.

State Sen. Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville, said the service center is an example of economic growth in the Valley.

“This expansion shows the progress the area is having,” he said. “It tells of some of the things going on in the Valley today.”

Raymond Ortiz, president of the Community Development Corp., welcomed the new corporate member of the community.

“It adds a lot to our area and I can envision the creation of a little community in Los Fresnos,” he said, referring to the company employees.

“And remember, the speed limits here are the same as everywhere else in Texas.”