Governor Awards Second Round Of Grants To Texas Military Installations

The Office of the Governor has awarded a second round of over $15 million from the Texas Military Preparedness Commission’s Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant (DEAAG) program to various military communities across the state of Texas. Under the leadership of Governor Abbott, $30 million was allocated to the DEAAG program in the final budget.

This program assists defense communities which may be negatively impacted by a future Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round. The grant money will be invested in infrastructure projects and other initiatives to increase the military value of installations in Texas, thereby mitigating the potential negative effects of a BRAC round on our state’s installations.

“Texas remains at the vanguard of supporting the U.S. military and the communities in which they serve,” said Governor Abbott. “Now more than ever, it is incumbent upon the State of Texas to dedicate the resources needed to preserve the installations of the brave men and women in uniform just as they have preserved our freedom for generations.”

The following entities received funding during the second round of DEAAG disbursements:

City of Killeen, Fort Hood – $3.47 Million

Bexar County, Joint Base San Antonio – Randolph – $4.71 Million

Tom Green County, Goodfellow Air Force Base – $2.04 Million

City of El Paso, Fort Bliss – $2.00 Million

City of Del Rio, Laughlin Air Base  – $3.3 Million

The TMPC is part of the Governor’s Office and advises the governor and the legislature on ways to strengthen the position of Texas military installations in preparation for a potential BRAC and other defense-related issues.  The commission is composed of 13 members serving 6 year staggered terms, typically representing an installation in their community.

In December 2015, Governor Abbott awarded over $15 million from the TMPC to the Alamo Area Council of Governments, the City of Houston, Val Verde County and the City of Wichita Falls.