The Resource Team has given many suggestions, some of which have been repeated by more than one of the team members. We have listed the individual recommendations, along with contact information for the respective team members. You are encouraged to communicate directly with any team member whose recommendation you decide to implement.

First of all let me say that it was a pleasure to work in Stephenville. I learned a great deal about your community that I had not known in the past, although I have been in and around Stephenville for the past 30 years. You have a thriving community with a great deal of opportunity. This is not to say that you are without some of the same problems that plague every rural community. The people that we had the opportunity to work with were sincere, caring, and had a genuine interest in raising the quality of living in Stephenville. I hope that our team’s work in your community and the recommendations that we make will make a positive contribution.

1. One of the most prevalent themes we heard was the need for a civic center. While this is a good goal, I believe that the community really needs to do a very detailed study of this before embarking on building a community center. Some of the issues that need to be addressed are:

• What organizations and entities would utilize the center and what type of activities would be held there?
• Are there existing facilities that already exist in the community that could meet the needs, who controls these facilities, and what are the costs for using them?
• What would be the cost of constructing a facility to meet the needs?
• How would such a facility be financed?
• What are the annual debt service costs?
• Who would operate and maintain the facility?
• What are the projected annual maintenance costs?
• How and who would market the facility?
• Knowing the costs, and the fact that the community will ultimately have to absorb the costs, both of construction and maintenance, will the community as a whole be willing to support such a facility?

The initial step in beginning the process should be the creation of a task force that is truly representative of the community to begin to look at these issues and answer some of the questions. One of the first places I would look is to other cities of comparable size that have civic centers and see what they did to make it happen and how they are keeping it open. I am by no means saying that a civic center is not needed, however it should be thought of as a business that must ultimately be self-supporting. Although it may be possible to pull in some grant dollars from both the public and private sectors, grants usually don’t cover any more than about 50% of the total project cost and do nothing on the operations and maintenance side.

2. Another issue that came up a number of times was the dairy waste and water quality issue. There seems to be a great difference of opinion, depending on who you ask, about this issue. I also get the impression that there is more misinformation than good information. With the dairy industry being such a large contributor to the local economy, it is in the best interest of the community to address the water quality issue in a proactive manner. One of the first steps would be to create a broad based coalition of dairy producers, environmental activists, city and county leaders, and citizens who are interested in water quality issues. Get all of these people to the table to begin the process of building trust between them. This will not be an easy task. Once a level of trust has been developed the coalition could begin to disseminate information in a positive pro-active way. The coalition should also agree of some ways to address the problems so that you can then approach the state and federal agencies that deal with water quality issues and say, "Here is what we believe needs to be done to address the problem. How can you help?" This will require the dairy industry to be able to say, "Yes, we are aware that there is a problem and here are the things we are doing to address the problem." It will also require folks on the other side of the table to say, "While a problem still exists, we believe that the dairy industry is taking positive steps to address the problem and we fully support those efforts." The first step to making this happen is to provide a forum where everyone can be heard, their opinions valued and appreciated, and a genuine desire not to let personalities and differences of opinion serve as a barrier to solving the problem. I would suggest the use of outside facilitators who have no vested interest in the problem and little knowledge of the problem be utilized. The initial step in this process could be an open forum conducted by and at Tarleton State University. I attended a meeting of this type about 6 months ago where TNRCC used small facilitated groups to come up with ideas. There were a lot of very diverse groups present, many of whom had never met or talked with each other. Although there were not a lot of answers that came out of the meeting, at least everyone knew where everyone stood on the issues, who the players were, and there was an opening of dialogue between them. Allowing the regulatory agencies to solve the problem for you should not be an alternative. I would be happy to assist with such a forum. Joe McFarland (968-4144) would also be an excellent resource, as would your County Extension Agent and Tarleton State University.

3. Develop a strong partnership between city and county government. One of my disappointments was that I did not see a high level of participation from county leadership. This should have come as no surprise since we are seeing this in most of the rural communities. When was the last time that your city leadership and county leadership met together to discuss common issues? Even though a lot of the growth is occurring outside of the city limits, the people who are moving to your community will still use services that are provided by the city even as your current city residents utilize services that are provided by the county. We heard a lot of issues mentioned that do not respect city limit signs. You need to work to get city and county leadership to the table to develop trust between and identify those issues that both of you are dealing with. I would strongly suggest that you begin to hold joint meetings between city and county governments and that when you involve county leadership in your strategic planning process.

4. We heard a lot about roadside trash and illegal dumping, primarily on rural roads. This is both an educational issues and a regulatory issue. Both Parker County and Bosque County currently have grant funds to offset the cost of, for lack of a better word, a "litter cop". This individual monitors illegal dumping on county roads and attempts to collect information that could be used to prosecute violators. Making an example of a few violators and publicizing those efforts will immediately reduce the amount of roadside dumping. Long term, you should begin to look for ways to provide a site where people can legally get rid of the things that they are now dumping on county roads. Councils of Government are providing leadership on this issue. Contact the North Central Texas COG at (817) 640-3330 to find out what the alternatives are. Folks at the COG will also know what other communities are doing to address the problem. Councils of Government also may have grant funds to help offset the cost of roadside dumping programs. Tom Mann, one of our team members is with the West Central Texas Council of Governments and has knowledge about this problem. Tom’s phone number is listed in the Resource Team Member section of this report. He could also give you the solid waste contact person at North Central Texas COG which serves your county. Contacts with the COG on this issues should be initiated by the County Judge and Commissioners Court since this is a county wide problem.

5. Your community is to be commended for beginning a leadership training program. Continue and expand this by bringing people in from the outlying areas to be a part of the program. If the number of participants that you can take in your program is limited, you should consider beginning another program to involve the people in the outlying communities. The Texas Rural Leadership Program is an excellent training program that is very comprehensive and teaches the skills that people require to be effective community leaders. I work with this program and our RC&D Council has sponsored several programs over the area. If you are interested in getting a program of this type together, please give me a call.

6. We understand that the City of Stephenville is currently approved for a Texas Parks and Wildlife matching grant to improve the facilities in the City Park. One thing that should be considered is the creation of a riparian buffer along the Bosque River through the park. I would suggest a buffer zone of about 30-50 feet on either side of the river. This would involve restoration of the native plant community along the river. This would provide habitat for birds and other wildlife along the river and provide a place for birding and nature study along the river. A walking trail could be constructed to provide access to this area. If funds through the TP&WD program are already allocated to other projects there are some excellent programs such as the "Partners for Wildlife" program that could possibly provide some grant or cost-share funds to accomplish this. You may contact me at the location shown in this report if you are interested in pursuing this.

7. Make an inventory of sites that are currently detracting from the aesthetic values of your city. This could include overgrown lots, houses in disrepair, sites on main thoroughfares such as Washington St. and the Loop that could stand some clean up, fix up and beautification. Once the inventory has been conducted, then prioritize and develop and plan to address the most critical sites. These type of projects are usually not expensive and often can be maintained by volunteers. There are variety of sources of grant dollars available that may can be utilized on this type of projects.

8. We heard a lot of conflicting information about water issues. I know that city government has done a lot of study on this but maybe the information is not getting out. City and County government should be working together to address this issue, especially the dissemination of information. City and County governments have an opportunity to provide leadership on water issues by working with Tarleton State University to conduct a symposium of water issues, especially Senate Bill 1. Take a look at what kind of water conservation program the City currently has in place. Has it been publicized so that the citizens know that their government is doing everything possible to conserve this resource? If the city does not have a conservation program, then look at starting one. A lot of this effort is based on information and education. Your County Extension Agent should be able to help with this one. Also, don’t look to the construction of a surface reservoir to solve the short-term problems. The great dam building days are past and even if funding can be secured, the time element involved makes this option viable only as a very long term option.

9. With most of the growth occurring outside of the city limits and everyone drilling their own well, you should investigate the possibility of a rural water supply system that would serve areas outside of the city limits. This would be an excellent are in which County government could provide leadership. Funding is available through a variety of sources including USDA/Rural Development. Russell Peckham, who was on our team, can provide information on how this type of funding could be approached.

10. As always, there are never enough trained volunteers to get all of the work done. Your community should initiate a program directed toward identifying and training volunteers. An excellent way to begin would be a volunteer summit that could be conducted in cooperation with Tarleton State University. I would be glad to assist with the planning of such a summit conference. Your County Extension Agent is also an excellent resource for volunteer recruiting and training information.

11. Make a detailed study of your library situation. We heard a number of people say that the library is inadequate and does not provide service without cost to those living outside of the city limits. Decide what you really want in a library and take the pulse of the people who live in the County to decide what they are willing to support. This is another area where the involvement of County government is badly needed. Grant funds may be available for library construction, books, computers and other equipment. Operation, maintenance, and staffing of a public library are some of those issues that local funding will need to be developed for. I can provide information on funding resources for library and information services.

12. Create a community foundation that can be endowed over time and provide grants to support projects within the Stephenville area. The development and building of an endowment needs to be a long term goal, however this type of vehicle can be very valuable to a community. There are a number of community foundations around the state that are providing valuable resources to the community. It also provides the opportunity for citizen participation. The options and the mechanism are too lengthy to complete in this report, however I will be happy to meet with a group of your folks who might be interested in this option and provide more details.

13. Establish a regional "think tank" to explore problems, opportunities, and alternatives available. The Stephenville Chamber of Commerce would be an excellent organization to provide leadership on this issues. One of the first issues that I would hope such a group would look at would be some additional initiatives to add value to agricultural products.

14. With the current levels of growth that you are experiencing, you also need to look at regional wastewater treatment facilities. Large numbers of on site treatment systems represent a threat to the health and environmental quality of your community as well as to your underground water supplies. For the short term, county government should provide the leadership to encourage the use of more environmentally friendly on site treatment systems such as constructed wetlands, several of which already exist in your community.

15. Finally, keep in mind that the high quality of life that you seem to want to pursue does not come without cost. Local government can be a catalyst to stimulate programs and projects that will enhance the quality of life, but the citizens must ultimately decide what they are willing to pay for. They must then communicate that decision to city and county leaders and be prepared to support them when they have to take stands that may be unpopular.

AGRICULTURE:

Consider forming, or expanding an existing organization, into a nonprofit organization to address agricultural environmental and educational issues. One of the benefits of a non-profit is the ability to obtain funding and grants from agencies and philanthropic foundations that are not available to private individuals, groups, or government entities.

Contact for program information:

Texas Workforce Commission -

Adult apprenticeship program, Diane Lamb (512) 463-9767

Assistance in hiring foreign workers, when workforce is low –

John Bartlett 512-463-3055

Assistance for non-profit educational programs for adults

Texas Education Agency, Dr. Paul Roussos – (512) 463-9294

Consider starting a program to assist and support young farmers that are starting out in the agricultural business.

For economic assistance contact:

Department of Agriculture - Young Farmers Guarantee Program

E-mail:lhoson@agr.state.tx.us

Web: http://www.usda.gov

Study what other agricultural areas are accomplishing and producing. A good place to access research materials and contact names is through the index in the Southwest Riparian Expertise Directory found on the Web page for the University of Arizona. This directory does not include Texas research, but it provides a good source for ordering research reports to study and for making contacts with people dealing with issues similar to those in Erath County. Some of the topics include: Animal Waste, Buffers, Conflict Management, Drainage, Chemical Analysis, Conflict Management, Drainage, Water Supply, Storm Water Management, Non-Point Source Pollution, Public Perception, Rainfall-Runoff Process

http://ag.arizona.edu/AZWATER/swexpdir/riparian.html

The Texas Department of Economic Development’s Office of Rural Affairs is developing a Texas Agritech Corridor Partnership to foster strategic planning and partnerships between agriculture and technology within a specific region of Texas. Stephenville falls just outside of the departments initial targeted area for this Agritech program; however, George O’Kelley, would be happy to talk to Stephenville’s agricultural-sector in order to offer them support and resource referrals.

George O’Kelley, Program Coordinator - (512) 936-0253

Rick Perry’s Texas Department of Agriculture Newsletters on the Internet are a good source of agricultural information.

http://www.agr.state.tx.us/bio.htm.

Investigate the advantages of observing the BMP of leaving or recreating vegetative buffer zones along the banks of the Bosque River. Several states are self-initiating riparian buffer zone programs and are reaping beneficial results: less pesticide runoff, less animal waste runoff, and less erosion. Due to the success of these projects, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has started a National Conservation Buffer Initiative. Some states are creating funds to cost-share in the buffer projects since the rivers are shared and used by all.

For more information on state programs and other states progress in this area contact:

Barry Tonning

Environmental Policy Analyst and editor of Ecos

The Council States of Governments

(606) 244-8228

For USDA program information consult:

U.S. Department of Agriculture - National Conservation Buffer Initiative

http://www.nhg.nrcs.usda.gov/ccs/buffers.html

For additional technical information research on the Web – start with the Southwestern Riparian Directory mentioned above.

Work with Stephenville’s Chamber of Commerce to develop Nature Tourism. Consult the Extension Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to organize seminars on maintaining optimal-lease conditions for wildlife hunting.

For seminars and advice on the Nature Industry:

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

(512) 389-4403

DAIRY:

After reading the environmental report "Surface Water Quality for the North Bosque River Watershed," distributed by the Terrell Public Affairs, I was alarmed by the partial data on which the water contamination controversy was based. From the data table that I read it is no wonder that the Stephenville, Erath County dairies felt that they were falsely accused of negatively affecting the Bosque River. The major flaws in the available water sample data are the following: 1) there is no soil type map of Erath County, which is essential in following runoff and in studying chemical absorption in the soil, 2) the river flow was not constantly recorded at all data collection sites, 3) samples from pooled-water sites were not recorded as such 4) fertilizer and animal waste applications were not recorded in conjunction with the reading, 5) times of recent rainfall and irrigation were not included in the records, 6) algae present in the sample should be recorded, and 7) the Bosque was declared a threatened river in 1990 based on one high reading that was unprecedented and was never matched in the future.

For further report information contact:

Terrell Public Affairs

Texas Association of Dairymen

(512) 476-9100

I encourage all those who live and work along the Bosque River to work together to set environmental standards and goals for the condition of the river. It is imperative that in the future the river and land are monitored in an accurate, timely, and complete manner, so that environmental studies in the future will have a detailed accurate data base on which to make judgements. The primary record keeping agencies that I was able to identify in the report that I read was the TNRCC and USEPA STORAT. I recommend that the agricultural industry take the lead and insist that their land, banks, and nearby water is adequately tested and recorded. Then they voluntarily track their own industries environmental progress and act accordingly as need arises. I respect the large dairy farms environmental efforts in maintaining safe environmental practices. I encourage small farms that do not need a permit to follow suit and implement BMP’s that are adapted to the scale of your operation. Our Texas rivers are in jeopardy, as a whole, and every one should do all they can to preserve them. If planned carefully and carried out in conjunction with educational seminars this tactic of voluntarily monitoring the environmental data and implementing appropriate measures could be a means to unite the region environmentally. When dealing with environmental issues such as the phosphorus in the Bosque River it is important for a region to tackle the issue as a whole and to work together. It is unfortunate when one entity is singled out as the only culprit. Faulty storm water drainage that leads to untreated waste water escaping into the river is just as detrimental as animal waste and fertilizer in the river. Search for funding to assist in this matter.

USEPA A STORAT

Form a task force with the Stephenville’s Chamber of Commerce to develop methods and means to build added value into the dairy business. Utilize the vacant cheese manufacturing building. Perhaps produce specialty cheeses for local market and export to Mexico. Research business loans and assistance programs.

For assistance in expanding agribusiness:

Tarleton’s Department of Agribusiness and Agronomy and Horticulture

Garry Acunius and Ashley Lovell – (254) 968-9221

Scout the Internet for sites of other dairy areas for ideas on stimulating/supporting and improving the dairy industry in Erath County. A good site to start with is:

http://www.ucle-tulare.ca.us/dairy.htm

Negotiate with Tarleton and the Texas A&M System for improvement and modernization of the dairy facility at Tarleton. Students need to receive training on equipment that will assist them in being proficient operators. Also, begin discussions concerning Tarleton developing a technical dairy program for employee training. Until the time that these projects are operational, consider seminars, and evening training in BMP’s to current and potential employees in order to reduce turnover, hazards, and accidents.

Continue to develop and improve your June Dairy Festival. The success of the festival last year was quite impressive. Make your current Milk Quality Competition a visible part of the festivities. Include as much instructional and informative dairy data as you think people can take and still have a good time. Are there any good films or videos concerning the dairy industry? If so, show one as a preview to an outdoor movie in the park during the week of the festival. Hold an art competition in the school during the spring and display the results in June.

PLANNING:

All across America, states are struggling with similar issues as the citizens of Erath County when it comes to planning land use and providing services.

How to preserve agricultural working land from lucrative urban sprawl, and yet still prosper economically?

How to provide services for the county at large in an equitable manner to all involved?

How to procure water and infrastructure to meet impending growth?

How to find a place to put all the trash?

For the optimum success in dealing with these themes a task force of a wide cross section of individuals from the community should join forces. For example: public officials, professionals dealing with land issues, such as transportation, economic, and community development, agricultural participants, advisors to land owners, financial planners, attorneys, developers, housing officials, estate planners, and any interested party.

Obtain a copy of the United States Department of Agriculture’s program America’s Private Land, Geography of Hope.

http://www.nhq.usda.gov/ccs/ghopehit.html

Join the American Planning Association as a city, which you may already do, but also encourage individuals to join. The association offers a wealth of information through their magazines, conferences, and Web page. Their Planners Book Service offers comprehensive list of titles and content descriptions.

Keep America Growing: Balancing Working Land and Development is a conference coming up in June of 1999 that will be addressing America’s loss of agricultural land. The conference is sponsored by a slew of agencies, associations, councils, and alliances in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture: Forest Services, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Rural Development, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highways Administration.

Request further information:

KAG Conference

123 Brick Church Rd.

Fairfax, VT 05454

Delaney@together.net

The Texas Department of Economic Development has a variety of Business Services, which with the area business and prospective business should be aware. They include: Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center to provide assistance to manufactures, Smart Jobs Fund, which provides grants for employee training, Capital Access Fund for businesses and non-profits facing barriers in accessing capital, State of Texas Industrial Revenue Bond Program to provide tax-exempt financing for eligible industrial projects, as well as several other programs.

For more information contact:

Director of Small Business Affairs

(512) 936-0223

Partner the Chamber of Commerce with the agricultural interests in order to work together in developing valued-added business. Revenues from capitalizing on the county’s successful dairy industry would greatly increase the tax base.

Encourage agricultural products from your area to register with the Department of Agriculture’s programs Texas Grown and Tastes of Texas.

For program information:

http://alphie.agr.state.tx.us/tamehome.htm

WATER:

For those leading the decision making process on water procurement and conservation, study water issues carefully and thoroughly. The Internet is a good place to start. The National Institutes for Water Resources provides Internet addresses to 54 other institutions that research water resources. It always helps to understand the issues and to read other areas experiences and research reports.

http://wrri.nmsu.edu/niwr/

Form a local water entity that includes the whole county, and a plan that fits into the plans of the whole region. Work to create consensus on water procurement and use. You don’t want to end up bickering (to put it mildly) over water like Austin and San Antonio.

Support/Start/Promote the TDA Native Texas Landscaping Certification Program to recognize homes and businesses that conserve water by landscaping with native Texas plants.

Join the agriculture industry efforts to maintain the water quality of the Bosque River and to address the Storm Water Drainage problem around Tarleton University as soon as possible. Contact the Texas Water Development Board concerning financing available for storm water pollution control:

Caaren Skrobarczyk – (512) 475-2053

Cleaning up the out-lying roads in Erath County is a big task. It will involve volunteerism for pick-up and hauling, funds for rollaway dumpsters or landfill fees, and education for preventing further accumulation.

I am very impressed with the appearance of Stephenville; it looks tidy and clean. TNRCC has a Clean City 2000 program that Stephenville can consider joining if they have not already. The program is designed to recognize local governments that voluntarily develop comprehensive environmental programs that contribute to the Clean Texas 2000 statewide goals. In addition to recognition for your efforts, and the status of being a Clean Texas 2000 City, which can be used as an economic development tool, member benefits include technical assistance, educational materials, access to funding, and the SWAP program. The SWAP program assists areas in developing a plan of action or in upgrading their existing plan. A program like this may assist in the planning and recruiting necessary to clean-up the out-lying areas.

Call TNRCC Publications to request a copy of Clean Cities 2000, which provides a review of the program.

http://www.tnrcc.state.tx.us

Gather a resource library of programs to assist small businesses.

For workshops and seminars:

James W. Choate (254) 968-9330

Tarleton State University

TRANSPORTATION:

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has an Office of Community Transportation Services. Originally this office was only committed to assisting communities to help people get to Texas health and human services appointments, but now they are branching out. I guess they found that the same people who need to go to the doctor need to go to the grocery, too. Call to find out what resources they could lend to Stephenville. The Project Director, Tina Janek, has an extensive transportation background and should be a valuable resource.

TX Health and Human Services Commission

Office of Community Transportation Services

Tina Janek – (512) 424-6581

Consult with the Texas Department of Transportation concerning grants and loans for airport development and public transportation. (see grants section)

SENIORS:

For assistance with transportation with for seniors contact:

Texas Department on Aging

Russell Smith – (512) 424-6840

Texas Legal Services provides seminars to assist seniors in accessing and using a direct deposit system at their local bank. The Department of the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Management Service is making it a law that direct deposit will be used to disperse Social Security and SSI payments by January 1999. Direct deposit can reduce the risk of theft and banking trips. However, utilizing direct deposit can be bewildering to the first-time user.

To request a seminar in your area call:

Carole Thorpe:

(512) 477-6000

RESTAURANTS:

Stephenville: WET, DRY, and MOIST? Not being a part of Stephenville’s community I will make no further comment on alcohol licensing. I would suggest, however, to recruit small private restaurants that can tailor their service to the dining needs of Stephenville, rather than to wait on big chain restaurants to come to town that need to rely on the sale of alcohol for revenue.

In Austin, there are two restaurants that are locally-conceived that have been very successful. Kerbey Lane’s initial location was a remodeled old house. Now I know that Stephenville does not have a surplus of housing, but be creative in site selection. Most important is to be near other eating establishments. Part of Kerbey Lane’s success is a menu that varies in price. The atmosphere is casual elegance and the walls are used for art shows featuring Texan artists.

Slim’s Roadhouse in Austin has a new twist in that it is in conjunction with a convenience store, catering service, and a gas station. It is unique because they feature live gospel groups during their Sunday Lunch.

Slim’s Roadhouse (512) 933-0136

http://www.slimroadhouse.com

See the grants and loan section to get some funding ideas if you are the entrepreneur wanting to start such a restaurant tailored just for Stephenville and their Erath County neighbors.

Visit the Texas Department of Economic Development Web site to order:

http://www.bidc.state.tx.us/bookorderform.cfm

YOUTH:

Form a youth council, not just of the active kids who go for everything, but also, with the kids who don’t have anything to do, that can relay the youth’s interest to the entities that are willing to assist in developing youth activities and resources. This could be Parks and Recreation, the schools, the civic center steering committee, the economic development committee, as well as churches and civic groups. There is no sense in guessing what would be "cool," "bad," "groovy," or "wicked," "neato," or "rad."

A lot of the people that I listened to said that many kids needed an alternative activity to sports, since only so many kids can be on any one school team. San Marcos has an agency called Youth Bureau Services that develops their programs directly to the town’s youth. They have an internship program for youth 14 and up financed by a grant from the Texas Commission of Alcohol and Drug Abuse (see the grant section). An after school program, which includes a tutoring service provided by Southwest Texas State University students, for kids 12 and up and a civic club for 5^th and 6^th graders that focuses on providing community services and on planning youth events. Currently they are seeking additional funding from a grant from the Texas Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service (see the grant section).

Programs such as these could bolster Stephenville’s existing Star Council run by Barbara T. Gaume, (254) 965-5515 or work along side of it in a complimentary fashion. Give the Youth Services Bureau folks in San Marcos a call for further explanation of their programs.

(512) 396-KIDS

Search the Internet for information on what other communities are developing for their youth by using the index on the Youth Commission’s Prevention Yellow Pages:

http://www.tyc.state.tx.us/prevention

Include youths in community leadership programs. This is a retention tool! Youth who have a place in a thriving community have less reason to leave and more incentive to come back if they do leave. Consult with Mayor Prater from Dublin to hear a testimonial on the youth that went through their program who are now in college. She keeps in touch with them and encourages them through their studies.

Mayor Katherine Prater – (254) 445-3236

I’m sure that churches already have programs that pair Tarleton students from out of town to local families; support this program. It is an ideal way for students to become involved in the community and to find a reason to remain in Stephenville after graduation – but build some apartments in the mean time so they will have a place to live if they want to stay!

SCHOOLS:

Look for ways to foster the community’s involvement in the schools. This could be through internships, involvement with Tarleton students, student artwork displays in local business, and by revamped back-to-school nights.

Previously, under the youth section, I mentioned a program at the Youth Bureau Services in San Marcos that provided a student intern program. This program is ideal if schools are not able to take on an additional program.

For an example of a university forming a partnership with the public schools contact Young Scholars LPP:

Young Scholars LPP

Marsha R. Basloe

Young Scholars Lpp Director

1600 Burrstone road

Utica, New York 13502

Carol Fox

Director of Curriculum

Utica City Schools

1710 Mohawk Street

Utica, New York 13502

San Marcos has a civic art organization that is call P.S. Arts (Public School Arts.) They are an advocate for the elementary schools to start an art program, but in the mean time, volunteers teach yearly art lessons in classrooms and children’s artwork in displayed in businesses around town. Contact the Texas Commission on the Arts for further ideas for encouraging youth to develop in the arts. By the way, Dublin has a great sculpture gallery, Hokahey Foundry, that students should have an opportunity to visit.

Betty Switzer

Community Development & Rural Services

Texas Commission on the Arts

(512) 463-5535

Hockahey Foundry – (254) 445-2017

In addition, contact the Arts Education Partnership, which is a coalition of education, arts, business, and funding organizations that are focused on improving the quality of American schools by promoting art.

Art Education Partnership

(202) 326-8693

http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/aep/aep.html

I just went to a bang-up back to school night that was such a big hit that the school was packed. Students were asked to bring their whole family, including brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and who ever else they invite. What an event it was! There were door prizes, hotdogs, and even a DJ Contact Cy Buchanan for details and planning tips for a Back-to-School Community Event.

Cy Buchanan

Hernadez Intermediate School

San Marcos, Texas

(512) 393-6100

In addition, consult:

Partnership for Family Involvement in Education

1-800-USA-LEARN

http://www.ed.gov/PFIE/

FHA-HERO, formally know only as Future Homemakers of America, has an excellent youth program that teaches young men and women a wide variety of leadership skills. Their curriculum is very impressive. In addition to leadership skills the program teaches strategies, for men and women, on balancing home and career. If the jr. high and high school are not taking full advantage of this program, I encourage them to do so.

FHA-HERO, Region II President

Mandi Hubbard - (915) 754-5516

MEETING PLACE:

I heard that Stephenville needs a civic center/expo hall/ library/indoor family recreation facility/senior center and a youth center. So something needs to be built, but what is it going to be, whom is it going to be for, and where will it be located? Form a task force to determine the community’s needs and expectations in this area. Every one wants so much. A tack force is needed as a go-between for the citizens and the public officials, so that a facility can be conceived, defined, prioritized, financed and built by consensus.

GRANTS, FUNDING AND LOANS:

I do not have the corner on locating grants, funds and loans, but here are a few resources to get you started.

General

• Texas Grant Alert Network

• For legal and tax answers for non-profits – http://www.exemptlaw.com
• Nonprofit genie – http://www.supportcenter.org/st/genie.html

Youth Projects

• Texas Commission of Alcohol and Drug Abuse
• Texas Commission on Volunteerism and Community Services- (512) 463-1814
• Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (512) 438-2031

Thomas Chapmond http://www.tdprs.state.tx.us/update/march98.html

To obtain commercially sold Grant Guides

• Research Grant Guides, Inc.

P.O. Box 1214

Loxahatchie, FL 33470

Business Loans: U.S. Department of Agriculture: Rural Business- Cooperative Service Rural Dev. Contact for guidelines:

Assistance in raising capital for small businesses: State Securities Board

John R. Morgan – (512) 305-8300

Texas Department of Transportation:

Aviation Division - Karon Wiedemann – (512) 416-4500

Public Transportation Division – Bobby Killebrew – (512) 416-2830

SUGGESTIONS FOR A COUNTY REFERENCE LIBRARY:

The following publications are a source of information.

Community Update

Newsletter published by:

U.S. Department of Education

Washington, D.C. 20202-0498

http://www.ed.gov/G@K/community

State Business Incentives: Trends and Options for the Future

(Analyzes the tools states use to attract and retain firms)

The Council of States Governments

1-800-800-1910

State Trends: Critical Issues, Emerging Trends and Best Practices in State Government

The Council of State Governments

2760 Research Park Drive

P.O. BOX 11910

Lexington, KY 40578-1910

Soon will be out-of-date due to Senate Bill 1 encouraging a regional approach to water issues. But informative not the less.

Texas Water Development Board

P.O. BOX 13231

Austin, Texas 78711-3231

Clint Black

e-mail: cacahnce@concentric.net

sheab@concentric.net

As owners and managers of a small business, we took our time commitment seriously when we volunteered to participate in a "Texas Rural Resource Team" assessment of the city of Stephenville. Our effort seemed small, however, in comparison to the hours of preparation and work on behalf of a few people to pull off an awesome event – two and a half days of thought, discussion, and ideas for solutions to community issues by over 1,100 individuals in Stephenville.

As members of the "Commerce" panel of the resource team, we want to particularly thank the management and employees of local food establishments, builders, realtors, hospitality and small business establishments, Bealls, Wal-Mart, Fibergrate (CSI), Rayloc, and our host, FMC Corporation. These businesses provided valuable work time (and in some cases, transportation) to ensure that their employees had an opportunity to participate in the community assessment process. Thanks to this commitment, we were able to hear from a diverse cross section of citizens in the city and surrounding communities. Thanks to all of you for your candor and your ideas! We have summarized your thoughts as best as we could in the following report -- any errors or omissions should be blamed on our faulty note-taking, not our sponsors or other team members!

These folks did a lot of work behind the scenes to make this happen; thank you:

• Cheryl Hinckley, Executive Director of the Texas Rural Development Council,
  and her Intern, Kate Elrod;
• Joe McFarland, Resident Director of Research, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station
• John Moore, FMC Corporation, and Kay Herrington, River North Veterinary Clinic, our panel’s hosts who kept us fed and everybody organized

• Michael Hunter, Hunter and Hunter Consultants
• Joe LaBarbara, Coordinator, Big 8 RC&D Council, USDA-NRCS
• Connie Borders Strode, Changemasters Consulting
• Jennifer Goodman, our trusty scribe and a senior student, Tarleton State University

Summary of The Rural Resource Team Process:

From Tuesday, September 22^nd through Thursday, September 24^th, the Community of Stephenville, Texas (Erath County) hosted a "Resource Team" sponsored by the Texas Rural Development Council, a state wide nonprofit organization. The Resource Team of volunteers represented professionals from federal and state government as well as the private sector. The mission of the Resource Team is to bring to Texas’ rural communities the best practices in community development strategies, and to assist them in matching local, state and federal resources with their development needs.

How the Process worked: Six panels of team members met concurrently at different locations in Stephenville and interviewed more than 1,100 individuals over a two and one half day period. Those interviewed represented the following segments of the Stephenville community: Agriculture, Senior Citizens, Civic Clubs, Utilities, Financial Community, Retail Business, Industrial Business, Youth, Clergy, Health, Government, and Education. Each participant was asked to respond to four questions designed to begin communication and discussion, and to serve as a basis for developing an action plan for community growth. Upon completion of the interviews, the Resource Team met to compare notes, rank the top 15 issues, and identify recommendations. The team presented their preliminary oral report to members of the community on the final evening of the visit.

Four questions were posed to the citizens of Stephenville:

What are the major problems and challenges in your community?

What are the major strengths/assets of your community?

What projects would you like to see implemented in your community in the short term (12 months or less)?

What projects would you like to see implemented in your community in the long term (in the next 2-3-5-10 years)?

Stephenville Citizen’s Responses to the Question, What are the Major Strengths/Assets of Your Community?

• Clean town
• Hard working people

• Good people
• Trees
• Good place to raise kids
• Little crime
• Strong Work ethic
• Location proximity to metroplex
• Location to surrounding small communities
• Good employers
• People still take responsibility
• Nice size town
• Diversity in industry
• Support of youth by community
• Core values and culture
• Tarleton State University provides jobs, culture
• Great labor force
• Lots of room for physical growth
• Community spirit
• Family oriented environment
• Churches
• Dry town and dry county
• Local schools
• Personality of a small town with the assets of a larger city
• High school football

Note: this list of primary issues is not ranked, but does represent the issues most often mentioned by the panel’s participants. The following key was used in organizing comments made by the participants:

• Primary Issue Identified by the Citizens of Stephenville

• Sub-issues, specific factors to be addressed

• Recommendations from the Citizens of Stephenville

• Comments from the Resource Team are in the following section

• Water

• Supply
• Quality

• Recommendations from the Citizens of Stephenville
• Commit to finding a solution to water supply
• Build a lake for long term surface source as well as recreational use
• Work with local dairy industry to address water quality issues
• Cleanup the Bosque river

• Traffic

• Lights
• Loop around City
• Congestion around College

• Recommendations from the Citizens of Stephenville
• Make all repairs necessary to streets and roads in order to improve traffic flow
• Ensure traffic flow around new schools are safe
• Add signage for people not familiar with the town

• Streets

• Repair/condition
• Width of streets
• Drainage & Flood Control
• Completion of current projects

• Planning for new streets & role of city in funding them
• Recommendations from the Citizens of Stephenville
• Complete all work currently on the books for repair
• Finish HWY 377 project
• Expand HWY 67 to Glen Rose
• Put in a storm water system around Tarleton
• Review speed limits – increase on some streets and reduce on others
• Widen streets; allow motorists to see around corners/intersections
• City/County complete paving of public streets/roads
• Repair all railroad crossings
• Improve lighting out in country to help avoid deer
• Have a loop that is a real loop – without stop lights

• Education

• Managing growth of Tarleton
• School System
• Adult continuing education
• Skills development for industry

• Recommendations from the Citizens of Stephenville
• Increase emphasis on academic achievement in school (in addition to sports achievement)
• Strengthen the link between vocational programs in school and industry
• Increase computer related curriculum in Middle school and High school
• Augment community library with computer/internet access
• Look at Tarleton, local schools as resource for continuing adult education
• Set up work retraining programs for high school dropouts

• Climate for Business & Industry

• More, higher wage paying jobs for young graduates
• Infrastructure
• Ordinances
• Recruitment

• Downtown

• Recommendations from the Citizens of Stephenville
• Increase the number of white collar jobs within the area
• Promote the city locally as well as externally
• Revive the downtown area –
  diversify types of businesses
  add Christmas decorations
  add some excitement to the square
• Give Moola the Cow something to look at
• Implement a beautification program to clean up "eyesores", both in and along outlying areas of the city
• Offer industry perks to move into the community
• Attract high-tech (growth) industries to the area
• Increase community support for smaller dairies
• Find new ways for people to make a living
• Encourage tourist industry
• Develop East Stephenville as well as other parts of the city

• Restaurants

• Family style sit down
• Wet and dry impacts

• Recommendations from the Citizens of Stephenville
• Keep the City/County Wet
• Change the City/County to Dry
• Increase the variety – good seafood place, good steak place, good cafeteria, Braum’s Ice Cream, etc.

• Retail Options

• Hours after work and on Saturdays
• Availability of variety and specialty goods
  Examples: having to go out of town for maternity clothes, linens

• Recommendations from the Citizens of Stephenville
• Increase competition for retail goods (gasoline, etc.); local prices are higher so customers buy outside of the city
• Look at the feasibility of recruiting outlet stores
• Survey customers for specialty goods desired
• Expand hours of service

• Housing

• Supply
• Affordability for lower wage rate jobs
• Condition of existing housing

• Recommendations from the Citizens of Stephenville
• City should make land available for subdivision/residential development
• Review all ordinances for their impacts on costs/ability to add new housing stock
• Seek governmental (HUD) support for an affordable housing program
• Allow for manufactured home communities
• Develop more, and larger homes
• Build apartments (multifamily housing) with more than 2 bedrooms

• Relationship between community and elected governments (city, county, school)

• Follow through on projects
• Enforcement of ordinances
• Impact of ordinances on new construction, business, and property owners
• Planning and financing infrastructure development
• Services (garbage, telecommunications, cable)

• Specific issues:

Railroad (Harbin Drive) crossings
Landscaping ordinance
Park improvements

• Recommendations from the Citizens of Stephenville
• City and County government work together on zoning issues to avoid unregulated growth outside of the city
• Increase citizen participation in governmental activities
  Cultivate younger and more diverse leadership for community
• Increase competition for, or contract requirements for providers of services: garbage, cable, quality of technological service-telecommunications, etc.
• Change attitude of city administration toward growth
• Examine all ordinances for their impact on housing construction/renovation, business expansion and costs of development
• Enforce all ordinances fairly
• Reduce the insurance bond requirement for developers
• Plan for future infrastructure and ways to fairly share costs of utility infrastructure (i.e. City vote on bonds to build infrastructure)
• Engage in long range planning – form a committee and establish an action plan to put the long range plan into effect
• Let people pay their utility bills directly to the city!

• Youth and Families

• Facility (space) available to community (and surrounding area)
• Activities and programs appropriate for different age groups (youth, seniors)
• Issues related to drugs and alcohol
• Condition of city Park
• Alternative activities to sports
• Activities that include all economic groups

• Recommendations from the Citizens of Stephenville
• Park: Upgrade and expand bathrooms
  Add awnings and water fountains
  Improve the pool
  Repair and maintain all playground equipment
  Install more lighting
  Widen walking paths
• Improve the Library and make it available to all in the county
• Recruit a YMCA/YWCA for family activities
• Support a Big Brothers, Big Sisters program
• Build a multi purpose community/civic center
• Increase the number of athletic facilities for youth
  Build stadium for high school
• Increase activity facilities for family entertainment like miniature golf, race carts, etc.
• Develop more entertainment for families and youth
• Increase availability of counseling (include religious based) on drug/alcohol abuse
• Provide parenting classes

• General Social Concerns expressed by citizens

• Child Care

Availability (24 hours for shift work)

• Medical care

Inclusion of specialists at local clinic

• Cultural Diversity

• Recommendations from the Citizens of Stephenville
• Become less football centered
• Make new comers feel welcome
• Improve local newspaper and news coverage
• Become more bicycle friendly
• Build another community pool
• Build a roller blade/skate boarding rink
• Rehabilitate the Lone Star over Texas Arena
• Establish a tourism bureau
• Act to preserve historical sites
• Improve 911 service and emergency response times
• Get caller ID for phone service
• Expand the medical facilities – bring in more doctors that are specialists
• Implement a Habitat for Humanity Project
• Implement a community wide literacy program
• Examine the feasibility of industry sponsored child care for multi shift families
• Establish a curb side recycling program
• Improve the airport
• Get rid of the fire ants

RECOMMENDATIONS

BEAUTIFICATION/IDENTITY

Create a Beautification Committee and enlist the help of the appropriate groups such as a college department to develop a master beautification plan for Stephenville. Incorporate such ideas as:

• Utilize the service organizations, church groups, and social clubs in the community and sponsor a clean up campaign using friendly competition within the groups to see who can collect the most trash, particularly focusing on blighted areas. Be sure to include a lot of publicity leading up to the event and celebrate the results publicly.

• Address entry points into the city with signs, flower beds, etc.; possibly securing sponsorship and responsibility for each of the various entries by implementing an "Adopt an Entry" program similar to the "Adopt a Highway" program.

• Work with a Beautification Committee on improving the appearance of Stephenville’s Main Street. Seek designation as a Texas Main Street City through the Texas Historical Commission, P. O. Box 12276, Austin TX 78711-2276, phone 512-463-6100.

• Consider adopting a signage code to include more signage (welcome, points of interest, directional, historical); one area of focus should be addressing the maintenance of signs.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

• Stephenville should capitalize on and expand the business opportunities provided by the existing industrial base. Consider a vertical business recruitment strategy, looking at both suppliers and end-users of products and services provided by existing industries.

• Promote a diversified agriculture industry.

• Expand Stephenville's identity, focusing on its unique features, history, and culture. Develop an annual event(s) to promote Stephenville's uniqueness based on themes such as the "Cowboy Capital of the World

• Stephenville should capitalize on its proximity to the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. Concentrate on identifying and recruiting industries that are expanding and need room to grow. Showcase your educated work force and availability of land.

• Develop a business recruitment task force to prepare an inventory of retail/service needs in the community including tourism related businesses and develop strategies to recruit those businesses.

• Look for specific niches (such as antiques, "cowboy capital", etc.) and trends in community attractions. For example: research successful civic club rodeos such as the one by the Crockett Texas Lions Club (James Waldrop 409-544-2181). Plan to have a rodeo during a period of down time for the City’s motels to enhance their business. Recruit motel owners to be involved in this effort.

• Set up a task force to develop a marketing plan to include specific strategies such as developing an "Stephenville as a Place to Do Business" brochure. Include incentives that can be offered/promoted, and highlight features such as the university, excellent school system, etc. In addition to using them as a mail out piece to targeted industries, place them in strategic locations such as the area’s small business development centers. You may also want to erect a billboard summarizing the economic incentives for doing business in Stephenville.

• Develop a menu of financial and other support services available for the use of businesses including SCORE, Small Business Development Center (254-968-9330) at Tarleton University, area councils of governments and the RC&D; identify a contact person for each and include a brief description of the services provided. Promote the availability of this information to the business community.

CITY SERVICES

• Elected and appointed officials and their staff must be involved at all levels of community development. Long term planning by the City should reflect the desires of the citizenry to promote business development.

• Hold a town meeting --make sure everyone that participated in the assessment process with the resource team is encouraged to attend -- to develop a consensus as to what you want Stephenville to be in 5/10/20 years. Based on the vision statement and goals that come from that meeting, create task forces to develop a strategic plan and a marketing plan for Stephenville.

• City officials, the Stephenville Chamber of Commerce, and representatives from each group that participated in the interviews have an opportunity to form a partnership which can create a structure to address key issues of: street lighting, subdivision policies, annexation, street signs, streets, curb and gutters, sewer system, parks, civic center, development of housing, business recruitment/expansion parks, and the enhancement of Washington Street. These issues should all be a part of the master plan developed for the City.

• Conduct an engineering study of all city streets and a community center (Contact the NRCS – they will provide an engineer free of charge to assess the source of drainage problems). Then appoint a Capital Improvements Study Committee to review the street needs, community center needs, and the needs of the sewer system in preparation of a bond election package to place before the voters of Stephenville. The Committee should look at the City's tax structure with an eye to financing the street and community center with tax bonds. The sewer improvements may be financed through revenue bonds.

• Develop leadership programs, particularly to identify and train potential leaders from impoverished neighborhoods, ethnic groups, youth, and any other groups who are not actively making Stephenville a better place to live and work. There are many leadership programs available; one such is the Texas Rural Leadership Program, which is endorsed and strongly supported by The Texas Rural Development Council. Contact Linda Moore, Texas Leadership Program, P. O. Box 1062, Luling TX 78648.

• Address the cleanup and further development of Stephenville parks. Add some unique game areas such as croquet, lawn bowling, horseshoe pitching that provide recreation for all ages. Find ways to involve the river in recreation activities offered. Texas Parks and Wildlife is a source of assistance in this project through planning assistance and possible loans and grants.

• Form a committee to focus on the proposed community or civic center. The citizens interviewed expressed a strong desire to have such a facility, perhaps a complex that includes a youth center, senior center, and an expanded library. USDA, Rural Development has funding available to help obtain this type of facility.

HOUSING

• Form a community development corporation (non-profit 501.c3); develop a plan to address blighted housing, in-fill lots and affordable housing issues; and apply for CDBG grants and Home Program funds from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, P. O. Box 13941, Austin, TX 78711-3941, phone 512-475-3800.

• Look for niche solutions. For example, to address the need for University housing -- develop a shared housing program where university students can rent a room from senior citizens in exchange for housekeeping, errand running, etc.

e-mail: gesparz1@tuelectric.com

The initiative taken by the Stephenville community to undertake an assessment of the county wide area is to be commended. Utilizing the resources of the Texas Rural Development Council with the intent of evaluating and assessing the community internally from an objective point of view says a lot about the character of its leaders and citizens. The city and county leaders have decided to evaluate Erath county in order to determine how to position itself for the future. Strategic planning for the purpose of economic development is a vital part of the direction that must be undertaken by the leaders and backed by the citizens of the community in an attempt to control its destiny. It is of the utmost importance that a concentrated effort toward a shared vision be set in motion for the Stephenville area by focusing its efforts and resources toward the same goal(s). The purpose of this assessment was to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the area in order that a formalized plan of action may be implemented. Reality must be met head on and faced directly in order that identifiable goals may be achieved. The city of Stephenville, Erath county and the surrounding communities need to envision its future and develop necessary procedures and actions to achieve that future.

" If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there."

-Yogi Berra

The association existing between economic development and the youth of a community can very well determine long- term significant events and impact the future of both concerned parties in a positive or negative manner. It is up to the citizens, business and industrial sector to take the lead and pave a road for the youth of the community. The most vital resources available to the community are the youth that stand at the crossroads looking for direction on how to get there. The following recommendations are but a few of the programs that are available as a guide to implement some programs that will assist in relationship building between the different age, social and cultural groups in order that walls and barriers may be removed. Prepare those vital resources, take them out of their comfort-zone environment to be mentored in order that they may flourish into viable and prosperous business leaders of Stephenville. Prepare them as you prepare Erath county to strategically step forward into tomorrow.

Recommendations:

* Junior Achievement - The country's oldest and largest provider of economic education for young people. Since 1919, Junior Achievement nationally has been teaching students about business and economics through a partnership with business and education. Programs are taught by classroom volunteers from the business community in both the U.S. and nearly 100 countries worldwide. The purpose is to educate young people to value free enterprise, understand business and economics and be workforce ready. Contact the Ft. Worth Franchise Area, President Bob

Blanchette, 4066 Kingsridge Rd., Ft. Worth, TX 76019, phone (817) 731-0838; in Dallas, David Arambide, phone (972) 690-8484 x231, web site www.jadallas.gte.net/

Inroads - The mission of Inroads is to develop and place talented minority youth in business and industry and prepare them for corporate and community leadership. Preference goes to African American, Hispanic and Native American high school and college students with 3.0 or better grade averages. The organization has grown to 52 affiliates, including Mexico City, Mexico, Toronto, Canada, more than 6,000 high school and college students, and over 932 client corporations in 36 states and the District of Columbia. Inroads is funded through fees from sponsor organizations, supplemented by foundation grants and contributions. The phone is (314) 241-7488, fax (314) 241-9325, mailing address Inroads, Inc., 10 South Broadway, Suite 700, St. Louis MO 63102, web site: www.inroadsinc.org/, and e-mail: info@notes.inroadsinc.org

* YMCA/YWCA - Every Y is independent and autonomous. Every local Y makes its own management decisions and develops its own programs in response to community needs. Contact Brad Kimura with the YMCA of Metropolitan Ft. Worth, phone (817) 335-6147, and address 540 Lamar St. Brad has offered his services and has some excellent ideas.

* Head Start - A social service preschool program for low income and disabled children. It is the philosophy of this program that parents are the prime educators of their children and Head Start staff are there to understand, facilitate and share with parents the overall needs of the Head Start child. Head Start provides opportunities for parents to take part in this program. Head Start provides opportunities for children to grow socially, emotionally, physically, and mentally. For parents, it provides opportunities for parents to increase their understanding of children, their parenting skill, and their ability to work with other adults. Contact President and CEO Blanche Russ-Glover, Parent Child Inc., 1000 W. Harriman, San Antonio TX, 78207, phone (210) 226-6232.

* Boys and Girls Clubs - Provides in its program a contribution to young people that is significant but distinguishable from what they get elsewhere -- in school, at home, in church, in other private agencies or in public recreation. Boys and Girls Clubs of America is prepared, upon request, to assist local groups in making a survey of the youth situation. Information gathered through this survey is measured against well-established criteria to determine the need for a Boys & Girls Club. This service is provided at no cost through the appropriate Regional

Service Center. Contact Michael L. Coffman at the Southwest Region, 2107 N. Collins Blvd., Richardson TX 75080-2638, phone (972) 690-1393, and fax (972) 690-0752.

* Alcohol 101 - A first-of-its kind CD-ROM program designed to reduce alcohol abuse among college students. The program is available free of charge to accredited colleges and universities nationwide. Contact the Century Council at 213-624-9898. Web site: www.centurycouncil.org/

The follow agencies are established in the Dallas and are willing to provide informational assistance regarding some of the programs available:

* Dallas Challenge - Agency that conducts substance abuse assessments on youth and makes community referrals for placement and short term assistance. Contact Dwayne Booker at (972) 566-4680.

* Our Brothers Keeper - Substance abuse intervention, day treatment program. Conducts drug assessments, psycho-social assessments, academic/vocational instruction, counseling and family support outreach services. Contact Laverne B. Tolliver, at (214) 421-7871.

* Phoenix Project, Inc. - A not for profit adolescent outpatient counseling agency that provides prevention, intervention and treatment for substance abuse. Assistance in gang intervention, school, family and behavorial problems. Contact Israel Pena, Exec. Director at (214) 942-5166.

* Greater Dallas Council on Alcohol and Drug Commission - A statewide agency clearinghouse.

Contact Tom Turnidge at (214) 522-4999.

e-mail: jgoodman@erath.net

I have been a member of the Stephenville area community for about four years. My participation in this assessment falls just before I am preparing to leave the area due to my graduation from Tarleton State University. I saw some remarkable reactions from this process, democracy in action right here in Stephenville. Community members from all types of backgrounds shared with the team exactly how they felt about the place they call home. As expected trends of thinking were echoed in each individual meeting. People from different perspectives described, to the team, intensely similar viewpoints concerning the Stephenville community. By the time this report falls into the hands of citizens and community leaders alike, the members of the Texas Rural Development Council have long since gone home. Any action and progress that results from this report will come to pass because the citizens and leaders of this community have joined together in the name of progress and improvement.

1. Soon after receiving this report, less than a month, a community wide meeting should be held to review the report and collectively decide what goals and projects should be implemented in both the short term and long term. Citizens, City Council, Chamber of Commerce, everyone needs to be involved in this process just as everyone was involved in the community assessment meetings.

2. A long-term water supply needs to be found quickly for the community. Texas has begun to feel the first pains of growth and Erath County is not exempt. The existing city wells are not sufficient to support Stephenville’s rate of growth into the 21^st century. The city must either build a surface water supply or pump water from an existing body of water. Senate Bill 1 will force a change in Stephenville water policy, why not get ahead of the game and find lasting solutions to the problem?

3. Water pollution must also be addressed. People are concerned with the pollution of the Bosque River by area dairies. In the same breath it must be said that no one wants to drive the dairy industry from the area. They are valued members of the community and Stephenville needs them to grow and succeed. There is also an elevated concern about the river condition in the City Park.

4. Flooding around Tarleton State University. When it does rain, the Tarleton area seems to be engulfed in water. This makes driving sometime impossible and in some cases dangerous. The drainage problem could have a simple solution such as clogged sewers.

5. Develop Down Town. Give Moo-La the Cow something to look at. Stephenville is blessed with a beautiful courthouse surrounded by quaint old buildings. Many vacant storefronts and signs of recent business departures tell the story of a struggling downtown area. Look into the Main Street program for grant money to help develop the square area. Promote by any means possible to attract new businesses, then help them maintain customers by a series of continued programs in the square (Saturday Farmers Market around court house, murals painted on buildings, etc.)

6. Reconsider Current Zoning and Ordinance Pollicies. People told the team countless times how they felt that current Zoning and Ordinances were not citizen or business friendly. They often cited the lack of active housing developments within the city limits. People often felt that this was one reason Stephenville lacked slow food restaurants and a greater variety of retail shopping. There was also mention by numerous people that the distribution of liquor licenses by city government often lacked reason and logic. This could also contribute to the lack of new business development in the non-fast food industry. Slow food restaurants often make a large percentage of their profit from liquor sales and by not being assured the right to sale liquor and beer could be detoured from coming to Stephenville.

7. Develop More Affordable Housing. Almost every group expressed the need for more affordable housing. Stephenville is a college town and college students tend to drive the market price for housing up due to sheer demand. They also will accept diminished housing conditions at higher prices. This state has produced the lack of decent affordable housing for the non-student citizens considering area wage rates. Housing here is affordable when compared the DFW area but wage rates for comparable jobs are lower in Stephenville than in the metroplex. Thus creating a deficit of decent affordable housing. The city allied with the college could develop a plan to encourage more affordable housing (tax breaks to developers, extension of city services to aid development, and the college could look into building more on campus housing).

8. People Need More Entertainment. The message was deafening: "There is nothing for my family to do in Erath county." or "There is nothing for my friends and I to do in Stephenville." People seem to think any type of quality entertainment is to be found inside the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Countless amounts of entertainment dollars are leaving the area due to lack entertainment availability. Because Stephenville is the county seat and an area hub the opportunity for successful entertainment businesses and recreational facilities should be ample. Some great ideas for bringing some of the city entertainment amenities to Stephenville were: Bring in a YWCA or YMCA, build a better recreation center, encourage the development of a state park, and invite family oriented business to the area (i.e. Discovery Zone, go-carts, and Putt Put golf).

9. Seriously determine the feasibility of a Multipurpose Center. The development of a multipurpose center that could handle conventions, recreational activities, family reunions, civic activities, and countless other programs could mean millions of dollars in an economic boost for the area. This center could also provide for youth and senior activities under one roof. Out of town conventions and shows could be allured to the area. Glen Rose has had great success with their convention center showing that small towns can compete with cities for tourist dollars.

10. Find Innovative Ways to Beautify the City. Many citizens feel that Stephenville has some rough edges that could be smoothed out. The overall city look has a great deal to do with how people feel about the place they live. It also has a great bearing on how outsiders view your charming town. The presence of rough spots can be symptomatic of greater problems. Run down housing, poor condition of public parks, overgrown vacant lots could be the result of many things. It is important to determine the cause of the poor conditions as well as motivate some type of clean up effort.

11. Realize and accept that Stephenville will grow in spite of itself. Growth is a positive process if managed correctly. This community has an overwhelming amount of positives that attract people to this area. Proximity to Dallas Fort Worth is a major force of change in Stephenville. Fort Worth is developing to the West and Stephenville is poised to become a commuter community. People are willing to trade in the fast paced life of the city to live in a safe rural town with great public schools. How Stephenville deals with its growth determines what kind of community it will become in the next 10-15 years. City and county government must be prepared to encourage growth and manage it in a healthy way. The development of an aggressive strategic plan is essential to assure that the goals and dreams of current and future residents can be met.

The above is just a fraction of the concerns that local citizens relayed to the Stephenville Resource Team. This report should represent the beginning of a increased communication and cooperation between citizens, elected officials, chamber of commerce members, business owners, students and any member of your area community. The key is to keep the lines of communication open so that every person has the opportunity to voice their opinion. It is also important to create some measure of urgency to encourage the community to unite and solve their problems. Stephenville is flush with prosperity and opportunity. Great people, plentiful religious activity and choice, diversification of industry, excellent schools, location, the list is long. But complacency with the current situation could lead to stagnation and decreased quality of life for area residents. I will shortly become a proud Tarleton Alumni and revel in the time I can return to view the progress and improvements Stephenville has made to better itself.

fax: (817) 640-7806

Over one hundred senior citizens were interviewed by the TRDC team during September 23-24, 1998. Each senior interviewed expressed the 0n-going theme that Stephenville/Erath County is a great place to live and full of friendly people. The subject group was well representative of the community by having recent retirees, those who were new to the community and those who’s lineage came from the founding fathers of the county.

Each person expressed how Stephenville was a "can do" city, where it’s citizenship pulled together to help each other. Stephenville has a large resource in its people and existing services, which in some areas is underutilized.

The follow recommendations are based upon the information expressed during the interview process.

Problem: SENIOR CENTER

The senior citizens of Stephenville expressed a need for a new or remodeled senior center. Seniors stated there were a number of problems with the current facility such as floors were not level (they could not dance safely), too small to accommodate activities, and the facility was in need of remodeling for accessibility.

Strength:

The major strength appears to be with the participants needs and wants for a new center. This strength should be harnessed to move toward the development of a new center. Stephenville appears to have a number of available locations for a new center.

Recommendation:

The first recommendation would be to coordinate the center participants and center board members into a committee to begin working on resource development. Once the committee is formed, conduct a review of possible resources within the community, (grants, loans, fundraising activities, etc).

The committee should also look to seeking information from similar groups who are doing or have done the same projects. Shanley House Senior Center located in Granbury would serve as an excellent resource of information. Shanley House is nearing the final phase of the completion of the senior center. The city of Lewisville and the Colony have recently completed new senior centers.

I would also recommend the Stephenville Senior Center Board of Directors review their role as directors and overseers of the senior centers growth and development.

The committee should develop a short-term and long-term development program for the senior center.

Another option is the development and inclusion of a senior center in the proposed community/civic center project. A number of citizen representatives, who were interviewed throughout the county, expressed the need for a community center. Should the city/county determine this is the direction, which they wish to go, the Senior Center Development Committee should be made part of the overall planning process. By being part of the planning process, seniors will have a voice and commitment in the building process.

Problem: TRANSPORTATION

A number of senior citizens expressed a concern for available transportation within Erath County. Transportation was requested for medical, social and shopping needs for senior citizens. There was also a request for transportation for Youth and disabled.

Strength:

Erath County has three vehicles and the commitment of the city of Stephenville and Dublin to provide transportation to the senior citizens.

Recommendation:

As mentioned, there are three vehicles available to provide transportation to senior citizens of Erath County. There are two vans stationed in Stephenville and one van stationed in Dublin. In both instances, there has been limited outreach to inform the senior resident of the availability of transportation services.

However, the back side to the transportation issue is the limited availability of drivers for each vehicle. Stephenville has access to one driver, whose time is split between driving and senior center maintenance. Dublin’s driver is split between senior center operations and driving. In both instances, there would be a strain placed upon both transit systems should ridership demands increase.

A possible solution to Stephenville’s transportation concerns would be to move the responsibility of the senior transit program to Erath County Senior Citizens. I understand that ECSC has sub-contracted senior transportation services with the senior center. I believe the program could be more efficiently managed by Erath County Senior Citizens directly(especially since they must be the certifying agency for all riders and are the main reporting authority to the State Highway Department). By transferring the driver from the senior center to ECSC, it would allow more available time for senior transit.

This would indirectly improve the availability of Dublin’s senior transit services by freeing-up the transit vehicle to provide local and regionally county based transportation. Currently, Dublin has been providing transportation to seniors on the opposite end of the county (this is not an efficient use of vehicles, fuel or driver time).

Once the transportation services for the county has been stabilized, an extensive outreach campaign should be conducted to inform the senior citizens of the county of the availability of transportation.

I would also suggest that Stephenville/ Erath County explore the possibility of providing Medicare transportation and transportation for the Texas Department of Human Services participants to secure additional funds for transportation services. This would assist in addressing the needs of the disabled for transportation.

Prior to exploring the transport of related populations, I recommend that the City of Stephenville, Erath County Senior Citizens, Texas Department of Transportation, North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging and the Stephenville and Dublin Senior Citizens centers meet to review the requirements of transportation funding sources.

Problem: MISCELLANEOUS CONCERNS

The senior citizens interviewed expressed a number of inter-related concerns such as the need for recreational activities, the need to be needed and junk yards/homes.

Strength:

The city/county has a number of excellent sources of resources to address the problems identified. These resources are: College, civic groups, school district, incarcerated prisoners, church groups, industry, etc.

Recommendation:

A number of Stephenville’s senior citizens expressed a need for assistance to clean-up cluttered yards and repair dilapidated homes. In each instance, the senior stated a lack of financial resources or poor health prohibited them from addressing this issue.

By accessing the "people power" from identified community resources, I believe these issues can be addressed. The residents of Erath County identified the people as the number one reason while they live in this area. They stated the people in Erath County are the friendliest, have a can do attitude, and pull together to meet the needs of their neighbor.

With this feedback, I recommend the formation /development of a Volunteer Center to serve as a clearinghouse for community needs. A community Volunteer Center could be funded through donations, foundation grants, United Way support or discretionary funds raised through the court system.

By having one focal point for accessing volunteers, community businesses, agencies and individuals will have a resource to identify and support. A volunteer agency can also play a pivotal role in a city wide beautification project by coordinating volunteer activities such as (adopt a park/street/home project, planting flowers, etc). There are a number of community programs such as "Christmas in April" and "Mainstreet" project to assist in community cleanup and beautification. A community Volunteer agency could serve as a grant recipient agency for both projects.

A volunteer agency could be utilized to identify manpower of senior retirees. The sampling of retired seniors who participated in the survey process revealed a wealth of resources which are waiting to be tapped for volunteer opportunities such as corporate development, grant writing, potential committee board members, etc.

Problem: NEED TO ATTRACT MORE INDUSTRY

Senior residents expressed a need for the city of Stephenville to attract more industry into the county. Along with this concern there was a request for improved senior services. The senior citizens wanted to remind the City Industry Planning board that along with employees’ children, their aging parents often accompany them when they relocate. They stated the attraction of community support services for children and aging parents will play a big role in the attractiveness of a city to new industry.

Strength:

The primary strength in addressing this issue resides with the fact that there is a foundation in place to establish a comprehensive service network for the elderly and youth.

Recommendation:

I recommend the city of Stephenville work closely in the development of senior citizen services to include a new senior citizen center, strengthening the transportation service county wide and youth programs. Additional county/city support should be place with Erath County Senior Citizen services. This could be accomplished by accessing Tarleton expertise through Human Services students and programs. Students and the use of academic expertise could be accessed to establish internship programs, elder-hostile programs.

Problem: HOUSING

There are a variety of housing issues facing the city, such as: lack of affordable housing, the increasing number of abandon /run-down homes, restrictive regulations concerning the construction of new homes, and the location of housing developments.

Resources:

From the senior perspective, we heard there was a growing need for assistance to maintain a home on a fixed or low-income. The seniors we spoke to expressed the desire to remain in their own homes as long-as-possible but would like some assistance in the maintenance efforts both inside and outside of the home. The identified resource was the large pool of seniors who own their own homes, live alone and would be willing to share a larger home. Other identified resources are, the Habitat for Humanity program, and a large county dump ground coded to accept a variety of waste products.

Recommendation:

I recommend the establishment of a shared housing program. This program would serve multiple identified needs of the elderly, low-income and student population. From the senior perspective, sharing a seniors citizens home with a student would provide the senior with a barterable resource for house cleaning / residential repair in exchange for rooming. It could also address the issue of safety/security, income support, delaying premature institutionalization, and address some of the shortage of affordable housing. Additional funds would also allow the senior citizen to make needed home repairs or remodeling to older homes, that they could not otherwise afford to do.

From a student’s perspective, it would offer affordable housing while allowing the out-of-area student the opportunity to interact and support the community while attending college.

Concerning the location of senior housing, I recommend the city review the availability of support services prior to approval of the location of a future housing complex. Stephenville’s current senior housing units are not conveniently located to near by grocery stores and other services frequented by senior citizens and disabled residents. A number of senior residents expressed concern over the difficulties they have experienced in getting to community services because of the location, condition of streets and lack of appropriate transportation.

Other housing options include, utilizing the Habitat for Humanity program to assist with residential repair for low-income and senior citizens. Another program that has demonstrated success in rehabilitating homesteads is "Christmas in April". Christmas in April is a project designed to bring together volunteer manpower and donations of community supplies to repair targeted homes in the community. This project is a year long effort that cumulates during the month of April each year. Parker County Committee on Aging is located in Weatherford, Texas.

e-mail: j-muir@tamu.edu

Note: Due to illness, I missed the interview sessions on September 23. My recommendations should be weighed accordingly and are based on the sessions on September 24, a review of the interviews on the 23^rd, as well as our group discussions.

Note: In accordance with my own professional background, I have concentrated my recommendations on agricultural issues. Other items are mentioned to ensure that the final report writer is aware of these in case others failed to mention them.

Recommendation 1: Community center task force

PROBLEMS: No civic center; no community center; no youth center; no center for the elderly; no activities for youth locally; no sports center.

A social and community center is a high priority according to a large number of the interviewed. Other team members will expound on this. However, I want to ensure that it was very obvious that this center meant different things to different people. I believe that, before any further recommendations are made, a task force be formed by the community to determine exactly what expectations are amongst the different socio-economic groups (income, age, ethnic and educational differences). Building a center that fulfills everyone’s expectations will be a major undertaking.

Recommendation 2: Low-income housing

PROBLEM: No housing for the indigent; expensive rentals; expensive houses for sale; too many abandoned houses in town; too many run-down rentals in town; no HUD program in Stephenville.

Free or rented government built housing programs for lower-income families has met with failure around the world. Chances are it will not happen in Stephenville and, if it did, it would be doomed to failure. However, community sponsored (not subsidized) mortgage loans for families who would not otherwise qualify on the commercial market might succeed. Local banks could be encouraged to set aside a certain amount of funding or interested bank customers could invest their funds and share the risk with the banks. This would not only assuage community social consciences and assist serious, hard-working, long-term families but would also be a good outlet for lower-end houses that are at present abandoned or rented since owners cannot find purchasers.

Recommendation 3: Poor images for the dairies

PROBLEM: Dairies stink; outsiders think dairies stink; Waco is ignorant of who and what pollutes their surface water; our county is infamous all around the country because of its dairies despite high EPA compliance rates. We need to educate our urban members as how dairies function, we need to advertise how important our agriculture is for both the community and Texas, urban and rural folk don’t communicate

Let’s face it: dairies do have a problem. But it is not as large a problem as urbanites and their news media perceive it to be. Texas universities, agencies and dairymen themselves are taking care of the problem one step at a time. In the mean time, Erath County must take steps to ensure that dairymen, known as an itinerant lot, are not run out of the area. Stephenville needs their business and the benefits of having dairies here far out-weigh the costs. What is needed is a concerted effort on the part of both dairymen and the community to improve their image. Dairies don’t stink—they smell of manure. Dairies don’t pollute—they produce an excess of N and P, both very useful plant minerals. Dairies don’t abuse the land—they produce enormous amounts of milk for our children (and our coffee). What is needed is a public relations campaign to educate Erath urbanites and neighboring urban centers as to what is going on here. This should be an effort from both the dairymen as well as Stephenville residents. A joint city and county commission, chaired by dairymen might have the best chance of success in implementing education programs (much as the Dairyfest) financed by dairies.

Recommendation 4: City/County government cooperation

PROBLEM: City and county officials don’t cooperate; city and county governments don’t coordinate efforts; no joint effort to solve problems between Stephenville and Erath County.

Lack of cooperation between the city and the county in this community may be more perception than anything else. If so, an effort should be made by both parties to show the community that they do cooperate when needed. If not, joint task forces, for example ones dealing with the already mentioned community center, dairy PR and drinking water are good places to start. These are challenges common to both governments.

Recommendation 5: Library needs

PROBLEM: The library is too old; the library doesn’t have enough books; the library is not organized; the library does not cater to county readers.

Again, cooperation between the county and the city might result in an improved library with improved services. The library should be a countywide institution and should be updated, especially with computer and web-access facilities. Otherwise, the community will fall behind the rest of the country as low-income families are unable to get on the web on their own.

Recommendation 6: Surface water needs

PROBLEM: Our aquifer is running out; there is no control over who uses water in the counties; there is not enough water in Stephenville; the wells for Stephenville may run out; there are too many wells in the county; where is our water going to come from?

Again, cooperation between the county and the city may go a long way to solving the future water problems for all the community. I understand some surface sources are being looked at for Stephenville. Why not include the whole county in this effort? It may look like county residential and agricultural water users are too disperse now, but that may change as the county population increases. If work is already being done by the city government, it needs to be communicated to the community. A non-profit water supply corporation or water district may be the solution.

Recommendation 7: Coordinated city/county plan

PROBLEM: The city has no plan; development is taking place haphazardly; the downtown area is being neglected; the residential areas around Stephenville but outside its jurisdiction have no development plan

I assume that Stephenville has a long-term development plan. If so, the community should be informed and reassured that it is solid and updated. Coordinating that development with the surrounding county areas is something else, however. Is there a plan to incorporate some of the county into the city? Are there studies to look at the advantages/disadvantages? Does the county have a long-term plan? A joint city/county task force may need to look at the two plans and hash out differences where these exist at the interface.

e-mail: rpeckham@rdmail.rural.usda.gov

In beginning I would like to say how much I enjoyed participating as a team member. The opportunity to meet and interact with so many community members, representing such a varied cross section of the community of Stephenville and Erath County, was both exciting and personally rewarding.

This community has a problem unlike many other rural communities. Growth. There are some in the community who do not want the growth to occur, because it brings change. However, growth is not going to stop and will probably accelerate. The various assets and strengths of the community, such as low crime rate, excellent education facilities, friendly people, strong churches, rural lifestyle, climate, and geographic location, are all reasons for this growth. The challenge that I see for this community is one of having controlled, planned growth, while maintaining the existing quality of life.

I am not going to try to give specific solutions to each problem or concern listed. There are often many possible solutions to a particular problem. Many problems are inter-related and will require several solutions. Instead I will try to give broad suggestions to serve as a starting point for seeking a solution with resources listed where appropriate. Ultimately it will be up to the community to decide what is in the best interest of the community.

Commercial and Industrial Development

The concerns, which included, lack of shopping and dining facilities, need for local entertainment facilities, additional business and industrial development, and developing tourism are all concerns most communities have.

1. Organize an area wide community economic development organization or industrial development corporation, if you do not already have one.
2. Develop a long term "blueprint" for how you would like development to occur, with realistic time-tables.
3. Begin with small projects that can be accomplished quickly with resources on hand.
4. Promote the assets of the community through as many forms of media as possible.
5. If you know of another community where something has worked, (ex. the development of the square in Granbury, Texas), contact them.
6. Have industry work with educational resources such as Tarleton to develop a course of study that will produce prospective employees with the skills needed by the local industries.
7. Learn how to coexist with the large discount stores such as Wal-Mart. Learn how other towns have coped and encouraged the development of retail businesses that do not compete with stores like Wal-Mart. The community of Viroqua, Wisconsin, was is the national news several years ago for the innovative measures it took.
8. Economic Development - Technical Assistance: The Economic Development - Technical Assistance is funded by the U. S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration. The purpose is to promote economic development and alleviate under-employment and unemployment in distressed areas. The program provides funds to enlist the resources of designated university centers in promoting economic development; support innovative economic development projects; disseminate information and studies of economic development issues of national significance; and finance feasibility studies and other projects leading to local economic development.
9. Minority Business Development Centers: The Minority Business Development Centers is administered by the U. S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency. The purpose is to provide business development services for the minimal fee to minority firms and individuals interested in entering, expanding or improving their efforts in the marketplace. Minority business development center operators provide a wide range of services to clients, from initial consultations to the identification and resolution of specific business problems
10. Certified Development Company Loans: The Certified Development Company Loans program is administered by the Small Business Administration. The purpose is to assist small business concerns by providing long-term fixed rate financing for fixed assets through the sale of debentures to private investors. Loans are to assist small businesses in the acquisition of land, buildings, construction, expansion, renovation, and modernization, machinery and equipment.
11. Texas Leverage Fund: The Texas Leverage Fund is administered by the Texas Department of Economic Development. The purpose is to allow eligible cities to leverage their economic development sales tax collections by providing an alternate source of easy-to-access capital with favorable terms. TDED will loan funds directly to the local industrial development corporation to finance eligible projects.
12. Texas Capital Fund: The Texas Capital Fund is administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. The purpose is to provide economic development funding to projects that will create or retain permanent employment opportunities, primarily for low to moderate income persons.
13. Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS), Business Programs: These programs are administered by USDA, Rural Development. RBCS works in partnership with the private sector and the community-based organizations to provide financial assistance and business planning. These programs help fund projects that create or preserve quality jobs and/or promote a clean rural environment. The financial resources of RBCS are often leveraged with those of other public and private credit source lenders to meet business and credit needs in under-served areas. Recipients of these programs may include individuals, corporations, partnerships, cooperatives, public bodies, nonprofit corporations, Indian tribes, and private companies. Funding programs consist of Business and Industry Direct Loans; Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans; Intermediary Relending Program; Rural Business Enterprise Grants; Rural Business Opportunity Grants; Rural Economic Development Loans; Rural Economic Development Grants.

Community Facilities and Infrastructure

We heard a need for a variety of community facility projects. The ones most prominently mentioned were: centers for senior citizens, community youth, organizations such 4-H; a new community library; an exposition or civic center; various medical related facilities, including a cancer center, medical clinics for indigent care; 24-Hour non-emergency clinics; public transportation facilities; a community museum; upgraded volunteer fire protection; storm drainage.

1. Create community committees to gather input on exactly what is wanted and needed. Too many times a facility has been built because a few thought there was a need and in the end it was underutilized because it failed to meet the needs of the whole community.
2. Some expressed a desire for a multi-use facility. Be careful. A facility that tries to meet a variety of needs may not adequately meet the needs of any of the potential users of the facility.
3. Develop organizations to pursue development and financing of the proposed projects.
4. Conduct a self-evaluation of facilities to determine compliance with fair housing laws involving handicap accessibility. Identify problems and develop a plan to bring facilities into compliance.
5. Economic Development Grants for Public Works and Infrastructure Development: The Economic Development Grants for Public Works and Infrastructure Development is funded by the U. S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration. The purpose is to promote long-term economic development and assist in the construction of public works and development facilities needed to initiate and support the creation or retention of permanent jobs in the private sector in areas experiencing substantial economic distress.
6. USDA, Rural Housing Service (RHS), Community Facilities (CF) Loans and Grants: These programs are administered by USDA, Rural Development. CF loans and grants are used to construct, enlarge, extend, or otherwise improve community facilities providing essential services in rural areas and towns with a population of 50,000 or less. The funds are available to public entities such as municipalities, counties, special-purpose districts, Indian tribes, and corporations not operated for profit. RHS also guarantees community facility loans made by banks or other eligible lenders.
7. USDA, Rural Utility Service (RUS), Electric and Telecommunications Programs: These programs are administered by USDA, Rural Development. RUS makes insured loans and guarantees of loans to nonprofit and cooperative associations, public bodies, and other utilities. Insured loans primarily finance the construction of facilities for the distribution of electric power in rural areas. Guaranteed loans primarily finance generation and bulk transmission facilities for power supply borrowers. RUS telecommunications lending creates public - private partnerships to finance the construction of the telecommunications infrastructure in rural America.

Water Resources

It is clear that the most important resource in the future maybe be an adequate, dependable, and quality supply of water. This will ultimately determine how the community is able to develop and grow. The time for planning and developing water resources is now.

1. Be involved with the planning for your area’s water use under the provisions of Senate Bill 1.
2. The non-incorporated areas should consider organizing a county wide entity to provide water services to the rural residents.
3. Organize a water conservation district.
4. Develop a long term water plan for the entire community.
5. Community Loan Fund: The Community Loan Fund is administered by the Southern Rural Community Assistance Program, Community Resource Group, Inc. The purpose is to provide an affordable source of credit for water and wastewater projects that benefit low-income people. Types of projects funded: construction, long-interval maintenance, emergency repairs, facility upgrades, equipment purchases, connect low-income families to water system, construction of water and waste-water to support construction of low-income housing, interim financing for projects with approved and obligated permanent construction financing, matching funds for grant funds.
6. Contact the Texas Rural Water Association for technical assistance in water resource planning, organizational planning, and operational assistance.
7. Texas Small Towns Environment Program (Texas STEP): The Texas STEP is administered by the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission. The purpose is to assist communities throughout the state in solving their water and wastewater infrastructure needs in an affordable manner by utilizing the principle of self-help.
8. USDA, Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants: These programs are administered by USDA, Rural Development. Loans are used to develop water and waste disposal (including solid waste disposal and storm drainage) systems in rural areas and towns with a population not in excess of 10,000. The funds are available to public entities such as municipalities, counties, special-purpose districts, Indian tribes, and corporations not operated for profit. RUS also guarantees water and waste disposal loans made by banks and other eligible lenders. Grants are used to reduce water and waste disposal costs to a reasonable level for rural users. Grants may be made for up to 75 percent of eligible project costs in some cases. The same types of applicants are eligible for grants as are for loans.
9. Other sources of financing water system improvements include funds provided by the Texas Water Development Board.

Housing

We heard often of a lack of moderately priced housing, both for ownership and rental. We also heard of uncontrolled development in the rural areas. Without adequate housing commercial and industrial development will be slow to occur.

1. Organize and meet with community developers to discuss ways to provide new development and the means to finance it.
2. Encourage homeowners' organizations and the use of property restrictions to provide a means of controlled growth in non-incorporated areas where zoning and code enforcement are not possible.
3. Enforce existing building codes. Be aggressive in dealing with housing that is no longer decent, safe, and sanitary.
4. Community Development Block Grants (CDBG): The state CDBG program is funded by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and is administered by Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. The purposes of the CDBG are to primarily benefit persons of low and moderate income; to aid in the elimination of slums and blight; and to meet other community development needs of particular urgency that pose a serious and immediate threat to the health and safety of the public.
5. Texas Community Development Program: The Texas Community Development Program is administered by Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. Various funding categories within the program provide project grants, in addition, the Texas Capital Fund (Economic Development), which is administered by the Texas Department of Commerce through an interagency agreement, provides for both grants and loans depending upon the proposed use of funds. The purpose is the development of viable communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low or moderate income.
6. Housing Demonstration Fund: The Housing Demonstration Fund is administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. The purpose is to provide grants through an annual statewide competition for the development of single family and multifamily low to moderate income housing.
7. USDA, Rural Housing Service (RHS) Loan and Grant Programs: These programs are administered by USDA, Rural Development. Home Ownership Loans are available to aid low-income and moderate-income rural residents to purchase, construct, repair, or relocate a dwelling and related facilities. Home Improvement and Repair Loans and Grants are available to enable very-low-income rural homeowners to remove health and safety hazards in their homes and to make homes accessible for people with disabilities. Grants are available for people 62 years old and older who cannot afford to repay a loan. Self-Help Housing Loans can be used to assist groups of six to eight low-income families in helping each other build homes by providing materials, site, and the skilled labor they cannot furnish. The families must agree to work together until all homes are finished. Rural Housing Site Loans are used to buy adequate building sites for development into a desirable community by private or public nonprofit organizations. Farm Labor Housing Loans and Grants can enable farmers, public or private nonprofit organizations, and units of State and local governments to build, buy, or repair farm labor housing in either dormitory or multifamily apartment style. Congregate Housing and Group Homes are available to provide living units for persons with low incomes and moderate incomes and for those aged 62 or older. Housing Preservation Grants are made to provide qualified public nonprofit organizations and public agencies with grant funds for effective programs to assist very low- and low-income homeowners repair and rehabilitate their homes in rural areas and to assist rental property owners and co-ops repair and rehabilitate their units if they agree to make such units availabl