Members of Gov. Rick Perry’s Texas Military Preparedness Commission toured the Sikorsky Aerospace Maintenance facilities at the Chase Field Industrial Airport Complex Wednesday morning.

Two commission members, Nueces County Commissioner Loyd Neal and McAllen attorney Ernest Aliseda, were with the group.

Others taking the tour included County Judge David Silva, Bee Development Authority Executive Director Joe B. Montez and John Longoria, government and public relations representative for the Lower Colorado River Authority in Corpus Christi.

Longoria said the commission was scheduled to discuss a $1.8 million grant request from the BDA on Thursday morning in Austin. He said the grant process is competitive but some of those seeking funds have not been affected by federal base closure procedures. Beeville has, Longoria said.

The BDA is expected to provide $300,000 in matching funds, making the state’s portion of the grant $1.5 million.

If awarded, the BDA intends to use the money to improve facilities now being leased by the Sikorsky project.

The helicopter manufacturing company rebuilds and refits Black Hawk helicopters from around the world at the facility and about 300 people are employed there.

SAM General Manager Tom Lark led the tour.

Ernest Aliseda was recently appointed to that commission by Perry. He is the brother of local attorney José Aliseda and serves as the managing attorney for the Loya Insurance Group in McAllen and is a municipal judge for the City of McAllen.

Ernest Aliseda has served as president of the Hidalgo County Bar Association and is a past director of the State Bar of Texas.

Jose Aliseda is a former Bee County attorney and Bee County judge. He was appointed to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles by Gov. Perry and recently completed that assignment.

Aliseda now practices law in Beeville and is a Republican Party candidate for District 35 of the Texas House of Representatives.