Texas Community Development Block Grant Program (TxCDBG)
Application Available for Program Year (PY) 2007 Colonia Planning Funds

The Office of Rural Community Affairs (ORCA) is pleased to advise you and counties within 150 miles of the Texas-Mexico border of their possible eligibility or potential for application for funding from the TxCDBG PY 2007 Colonia Planning Fund.  Information about the TxCDBG Application Guide for the Colonia Planning Fund can be obtained at ORCA’s two scheduled application workshop meetings described below or by contacting ORCA after the initial workshop.  The application will be posted on ORCA’s website at www.orca.state.tx.us.

The TxCDBG Colonia Fund provides assistance to rural areas for public infrastructure improvements, housing, economic development, and planning activities.  This planning grant opportunity for much needed planning assistance to counties within 150 miles of the Texas-Mexico border.  Applications are due Tuesday, August 8, 2007.

There have not been significant changes in this year’s application compared to last year; however, counties and grant application preparers may attend a meeting at the offices of Middle Rio Grande Development Council on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at 216 West Main Street, Uvalde, Texas 78801.  Counties are urged to become more familiar with requirements.  Please thoroughly review the application guide before beginning preparation of an application for TxCDBG funds.

Should counties or their grant application preparers not be able to attend the meeting in Uvalde, another meeting is scheduled at the offices of Texas Community Development Block Grant Program at 1700 N. Congress, Suite 220 Austin, Texas 78701 on Thursday, April 26, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. 

Remember that counties may receive only one grant to assist in the preparation of a Comprehensive Colonia Plan and may not apply for a target area planning grant until a countywide, Comprehensive Colonia Plan is prepared.  Questions and comments about the application package or any other aspect of TxCDBG should be addressed to the following location:

Office of Rural Community Affairs
Texas Community Development Block Grant Program
Mailing Address:  Post Office Box 12877, Capitol Station, Austin, Texas 78711
Street Address:  1700 N. Congress, Suite 220 - Austin, Texas 78701

Telephone Number:  (512) 936-6701
Fax Number:   (512) 936-6776
Attention: Joe Midura at (512) 936-7880 or jmidura@orca.state.tx.us