Texas

Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs announced that 10 rural communities from across the state were recognized today by the Texas Yes! program for their outstanding economic development efforts.

The 2005 Texas Yes! Hardworking Rural Communities were Claude, Eden, Post, Quitaque, Rio Grande City, San Augustine and White Deer, and second-time winners Brownwood, Fort Stockton and Yoakum.

Three communities received special recognition as Shinning Stars for their stellar efforts in economic development. These included Claude, Eden and Fort Stockton.

"Perseverance, innovation and community spirit are making a difference for the future of rural Texas," Combs said. "Our hardworking rural communities have shown incredible dedication, leadership and results, earning the right to be celebrated by Texas Yes! and all of Texas."

An advisory board representing leaders in business, tourism and education reviewed and scored the applications received. The board includes Pulitzer-prize winning author Larry McMurtry; Evan Smith, editor, Texas Monthly; Emmett McCoy, founder, McCoy's Building Supply Centers; Tom Dobson, chairman and CEO of Whataburger; Dr. Robert Sweazy, vice president, Texas Tech University; George Cogswell, president and publisher, Abilene Reporter-News; Tim Crenwelge, mayor of Fredericksburg; Rob Brown, with the R.A. Brown Ranch; and Tom Perini, with Perini Ranch Steakhouse.

Texas Yes! is a member-based program designed to spotlight and promote rural Texas. The program is open to rural communities, businesses with locations in rural Texas and individuals, organizations and associations that support and promote rural Texas.

Following is information on each of the rural communities recognized:

Brownwood: Once a popular watering hole for cowboys who drove their herds to market, Brownwood now entices visitors to the northwestern edge of the Texas Hill Country with an annual Bluegrass Festival and three-day "Feels Like Home" reunion. New businesses and new jobs are attracted through public-private partnerships. Major retail is growing; the local hospital is expanding; more than 60 businesses have completed the initial phase of a 20-year downtown revitalization plan; neighborhood revitalization programs are underway with $1.5 million in funding secured; and an amazing 60,000 volunteer hours have been logged for beautification projects.

Claude: Named in honor of the engineer who brought the first train to town, Claude continues to celebrate the cultural heritage of the Texas Panhandle and grow tourism with the annual Charles Goodnight Celebration, Old Settlers Reunion and Caprock Roundup. A major cooperative initiative for the community is the future restoration of the Col. Charles Goodnight Ranch House and 30-acre playa lake. Agriculture remains the key driver, while new housing and jobs also are helping to grow the local economy. Renovations to the county courthouse and infrastructure improvements top the city's priorities. Volunteerism and community involvement are at the heart of Claude's development efforts for both its citizens and students.

Eden: Established to advance the commercial, agricultural, industrial, civic and tourism interests of all Concho County communities, the Concho County Connection (Triple C) partnership reflects the Texas Yes! spirit of cooperation. Sixty new jobs were created in Eden, partnering with state and federal agencies and local businesses. To create a stronger health care system, community leaders are working with neighboring counties to pool resources. Five new tourism projects are being added to the calendar in addition to the inaugural Camouflage Cotillion.

Fort Stockton: Fort Stockton aggressively recruits new jobs with a loan program that gives businesses credit for jobs by reducing the principal per job created or retained. Educating the future workforce is the goal of an advanced math program now in place in For Stockton with 30 computer workstations, teacher training and a curriculum geared to improving the math skills of the workforce and seventh grade students. Future goals for the "Friendliest Town in Texas" include a community development strategic plan, building of single- and multi-family housing units and the creation of a regional recruitment network.

Post: Built as a "model town" by cereal magnate Charles William Post in 1907 on 200,000 acres of ranchland at the head waters of the Brazos River, the small town of Post attracts many visitors to its monthly Old Mills Trade Days. Fulfilling the founder's vision of a community that might enrich the citizens with cultural offerings, the town's refurbished Garza Theater hosts eight productions each year. Visitors are also attracted to the unique geography of the Caprock escarpment. As members of the Llano Estacado Tourism Society and Texas Main Street Program, Post is partnering with other communities and Texas Tech University to plan celebrations for Post's centennial in 2007.

Quitaque: Once a stagecoach stop in 1890, Quitaque is home not only to the state's largest bison herd in Caprock Canyons State Park, but also to a tele-medicine clinic where a doctor "remotely visits" patients aided by a computer and a resident nurse. A new community center funded by donations and grants is nearing completion, volunteers are repairing and painting all of the downtown buildings and plans are underway for a $1.4 million visitors' center. Quitaque attracts tourists with a newly launched website and helps businesses grow through economic development activities. This small community continues to focus on improving the quality of life for all its citizens, securing grants and partnering with others to provide meals for those who cannot leave home.

Rio Grande City: One of the oldest settlements in South Texas, Rio Grande City is located 100 miles from both Brownsville and Laredo. Recognizing the economic potential for tourism, the city has focused efforts to restore the downtown area resulting in an infusion of $7.2 million into the historic district. Another $54 million have been invested in the surrounding area by new national retail and local small businesses, creating new jobs and sales tax revenues. The creation of a "pocket park" in the historic district and the purchase of additional land for park development have aided ongoing beautification efforts.

San Augustine: Early settlers once came to San Augustine on the Old San Antonio Road, also known as "El Camino Real de los Tejas," and now a designated National Historic Trail. Located between Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn reservoirs, San Augustine boasts unspoiled waterways for fishing and recreation. Growing tourism is a natural for this community, where the history of Texas can be traced and experienced. San Augustine citizens are encouraged to "buy at home." New businesses are enticed with tax breaks. With two master gardeners in residence, grassroots volunteerism grows beautification efforts, and the Garden Club is spearheading matching funding for renovation of the courthouse.

White Deer: According to legend, the city of White Deer was named for an albino deer seen drinking from a nearby creek, and that legend today is celebrated with a statue of a white deer in the middle of the town's main intersection. Harnessing a clean energy source, windmills now dot the landscape where the albino deer once roamed. The heritage of early settlers is celebrated in true Texas fashion with the annual "Kick Back Day and Polish Sausage Dinner." Nearing its 100th anniversary, the city's priorities include water infrastructure, beautification projects and continuing development of new housing. Leveraging the power of partnership, White Deer has joined the High Ground of Texas, a coalition of the 54 northern counties cooperatively marketing the region for business development, job growth and rural tourism.

Yoakum: Once a gathering ground for cattle on the Old Chisholm Trail, the small town of Yoakum, also known as the "Leather Capital of the World," celebrates its heritage and future with the recently dedicated Chisholm Trail Memorial Park. After years in the making, the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan was approved, and $333,000 have been secured to fund its top seven priorities. Community support has been strong for revitalization efforts downtown to enhance shopping, increase sales and diversify retail. By carefully listening to its citizens, evaluating priorities and delivering results, Yoakum has been successful in maximizing the return on limited resources resulting in increased tax revenues, new investments and jobs created and retained.

For more information on Texas Yes!, including membership application details and benefits, visit www.TexasYes.org or call 866-4TEX-YES.

Date: 4/21/05