East Texas Cities Get Money for Downtown Improvements

AUSTIN — Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples Thursday announced the Texas Department of Agriculture has awarded $150,000 in federal funds to the city of Overton for a downtown revitalization project made possible through the Texas Capital Fund. According to Staples, the award will help upgrade sidewalks to comply with ADA standards and support other projects that ultimately will create new economic development opportunities for the city.

Staples also announced the ag department has awarded $150,000 in federal funds to the city of Mount Vernon for a Main Street Improvement project through the Texas Capital Fund. The award will help support infrastructure projects to develop sidewalks and improve city lightings. The Texas Capital Fund, federally funded through the Texas Community Development Block Grant program, provides more than $8 million in competitive awards each year to boost economic development in small Texas communities.