Texas – Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced a $78 million investment in rural Texas communities through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, funding infrastructure upgrades across 98 cities and counties.
The funding supports essential projects such as water system improvements, street repairs, wastewater upgrades, and the purchase of first responder equipment. The announcement also included $1 million awards to 11 cities through the Downtown Revitalization Fund to modernize public infrastructure and improve downtown areas for community events.
The 2025 downtown revitalization recipients are Big Wells, Brownfield, Caldwell, Clarksville, George West, Hart, Knox City, Olney, Sabinal, Tenaha and Winnsboro.
Commissioner Miller said the grants are intended to strengthen economic opportunity and improve quality of life in rural communities. He said the projects will help deliver clean water systems, safer public spaces and job creation, supporting long-term economic growth.
The CDBG program is administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture and aims to deliver long-term economic benefits in low- and moderate-income communities. The department said the grants are awarded based on several factors, including a community’s success in using previous funding.
The announcement also noted that Colonia Fund grants were awarded to improve water and sewer services in nine Texas border counties.
Miller said the investments are intended to build stronger communities and expand economic opportunity across rural Texas.
