State announces grants for military communities that may be impacted by any future base realignment, closure

Governor Greg Abbott has announced a new round of grants for Texas military communities.

The grants total $16.3 million and come from the Texas Military Preparedness Commission's (TMPC) Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant (DEAAG) program. They will be distributed to military communities that may be positively or negatively impacted by any future Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round.

In a press release, the Governor's office said the funds will be invested in infrastructure projects and "other initiatives to increase the military value of these installations in Texas and protect jobs in those communities."

"Now more than ever as our economy rebounds, support for our military communities in Texas and the jobs they create is vital,” said Governor Abbott. “Not only are the 15 major military installations and Army Futures Command in Texas critical to our nation’s defense, they also add over $123 billion to the state’s economy and support, directly and indirectly, more than 633,000 jobs in communities across this great state. That is why I will continue to work with the Texas Legislature and TMPC to ensure that our military installations continue to add unmatched value.”

According to Governor Abbott, the following entities will receive grant money:

• Austin Community College – $4,985,070; Software Factory and Innovation Center with Army Futures Command
• Val Verde County – $2,465,447; airfield lighting update at Laughlin Air Force Base
• City of El Paso – $4,500,000; aquifer storage and recharge supporting Fort Bliss
• City of Abilene – $1,888,700; flight line security at Dyess Air Force Base
• City of Corpus Christi – $901,952; replace natural gas system at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi
• Val Verde County – $1,576,433.; additional aircraft sunshades at Laughlin Air Force Base

Bell County and Fort Hood were not included in the grant distribution.