Texas’ agriculture commissioner announces grant awards to communities across the state.

Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples announced the 2012 recipients of grant awards from the Community Development funds, which are aimed at helping to fund infrastructure projects that improve the quality of life for some rural Texans.

Eligible counties must have populations of less than 200,000 residents, and cities must have populations of less than 50,000 residents.

The competitive grants are selected based on regional input and are targeted to areas of the greatest need.

“Government at all levels must continue to improve service delivery while being more accountable and efficient with taxpayer dollars,” said Staples. “I am pleased to accept the Texas Legislature’s challenge in unifying, under one roof, the state’s limited resources for rural Texas community and economic development.”

The program serves around 1,000 rural communities and 245 rural counties.

The 2012 CD Fund recipients list can be found here.

More From News/Talk 95.1 & 790 KFYO