Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples announced the Texas Department of Agriculture has awarded $150,000 to the City of Beeville for infrastructure improvements. The award, presented from the Texas Capital Fund, will provide funding for sidewalk and ramp enhancements in Beeville.

The Texas Capital Fund, part of the federal Community Development Block Grant program, provides more than $10 million in competitive awards each year to boost economic development in small Texas cities and counties. Administered in cooperation with the Office of Rural Community Affairs, the program is housed under TDA’s Rural Economic Development division.

“The Texas Capital Fund is a great tool to ensure economic growth in every region of our state,” Commissioner Staples said. “This award will give a boost to Beeville and is an example of good business and great partnerships at work in Texas.”

“Beeville is very appreciative of Commissioner Staples and the Texas Department of Agriculture’s assistance to facilitate infrastructure improvements along St. Mary’s Street in Beeville’s downtown business district,” Beeville Mayor Kenneth Chesshir said. “The Texas Capital Fund money will be combined with local money to provide an environment for business development as part of Beeville’s Main Street Program. Beeville looks forward to moving ahead with the project.”

District 35 State Rep. Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles said, “The Texas Capital Fund, administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture, is a perfect example of how state and local governments can work cooperatively to improve the lives of the citizens they serve – particularly in rural areas of our state. I will continue to work with Commissioner Staples and other state and federal officials to ensure state and federal funds remain available to local governments as they face an ever-increasing demand for services and infrastructure improvements.”

The Texas Capital Fund provides funding for projects under four different programs: Infrastructure Development, Real Estate Development, Main Street Improvements and Downtown Revitalization.

Infrastructure Development awards may be used for projects that include water and sewer lines, road improvements, fiber optic lines and railroad spurs. Real Estate awards may be used to acquire, construct or rehabilitate buildings. Main Street Improvements and Downtown Revitalization programs provide grants to non-entitlement cities for the purpose of renovating or constructing sidewalks, lighting, drainage and other infrastructure elements in downtown areas.