Hidalgo County “Power Out Cooking: Alternative Fuels” Earns National Achievement Award

EDINBURG – Hidalgo County’s Power Out Cooking: Alternative Fuels program has been recognized with a 2025 Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.

Launched under the leadership of County Judge Richard F. Cortez, the Power Out Cooking program supports residents, first responders, and essential county employees by ensuring their families are prepared during weather-related power outages. Recognizing that employees perform at their best when their loved ones are secure, the program provides hands-on training in emergency preparedness, mental wellness, and cooking with alternative fuels. A major highlight is a dual-language cookbook featuring local recipes with shelf-stable ingredients, offering culturally relevant, practical solutions when traditional cooking methods are unavailable.

Since its debut at a local conference, the program has delivered 11 well-attended training sessions for county employees. Its innovative approach, community focus, and replicability make it a standout initiative in emergency preparedness and family resilience.

“This national recognition validates our commitment to serving our workforce and our community,” said Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez. “By equipping our community,  essential employees, and their families with tools to stay safe and self-sufficient during emergencies, we’re building a stronger, more resilient Hidalgo County.”

Each year, NACo’s Achievement Awards recognize outstanding programming in 18 categories aligned with the comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, libraries, information technology, health, civic engagement, and more. Launched in 1970, the program celebrates innovation in county government, with each nominated program judged on its individual merits.

“The Achievement Awards shine a spotlight on the hard work and innovation happening in county governments across the nation,” said NACo President James Gore. “This year’s winners highlight the dedication and creativity of county leaders and our teams to building thriving communities and providing the best possible services to our residents.”

Due to its success, Hidalgo County has expanded the program with additional preparedness topics to include various age groups and demographics. Ongoing opportunities to share the training with other counties, municipalities, local organizations, and businesses facing similar disaster preparedness challenges remain.