May 6, 2016 - The Texas Forest Country Partnership has been awarded a grant through USDA Rural Development and Texas A&M to develop a regional economic development plan for its twelve county region.
The twelve county region the Partnership serves includes the counties of Angelina, Nacogdoches, Houston, Trinity, San Jacinto, Polk, Tyler, Jasper, Newton, San Augustine, Shelby, and Sabine.
The grant, through a program called SET (Strengthening Economies Together) has been a part of USDA Rural Development for the past six years and has helped develop regional and local economic development plans for many regions of the nation.
“We are excited about the opportunity the SET program provides”, commented Jerry Huffman, Partnership Executive Director. “With the vast resources available through USDA Rural Development and Texas A&M we will be able to develop a strategic direction for the Forest Country region. Also, one of the key parts of the SET program is that once the plan is completed both USDA Rural Development and Texas A&M continue to assist in the implementation of the plan. This will be an awesome part of the entire process”.
“When we began the application last fall we were hopeful to be chosen for this program and we received notice last month we were the only location in Texas chosen to participate in this round of funding”, he added, “We will be working with a team of Texas A&M and USDA Rural Development, hosting sessions over the next 5-6 months throughout the region to development input into this process”.
"SET provides facilitation and coaching for local community stakeholders to work together to develop a regional economic development plan," McDonald said. "This community-based approach uses evidence-based planning and goal-setting to empower local action,” commented
Ronnie McDonald, Administrative Assistant Office of the Director Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
“Anyone interested in being a part of the SET planning process should consider participating in the upcoming civic engagement forum as the Texas Forest Country Partnership kicks off the Stronger Economies Together (SET) program. It will be held on Friday, May 13th at the Lufkin Convention Center, 9:00am – 2:00 pm.”, Huffman said, “but please give us a call and let us know you are attending.”
To register for the event contact the Texas Forest Country Partnership office at 936-632-3552.
“We have over 80 area leadership and elected officials from across the region that have already agreed to support this effort and we invite others that might be interested in participating to call our office”, Huffman added.
“The civic forum on May 13th will be a valuable opportunity for local people to engage and share in discussions about the positive features and challenges of this region. It will serve as a foundation for building a regional economic blueprint for the region.”
“Everyone’s voice is important, and participation from each of the twelve counties is welcomed and encouraged. Public input from the civic forum will help set the direction of the SET program over the next several months”, Huffman said.
SET is a national program designed to build capacity in high poverty areas, which is essential to accessing financial resources, building wealth, and spurring economic development. SET is a partnership of USDA Rural Development, Regional Rural Development Centers, Purdue Center for Regional Development, Texas A& M, USDA
Rural Development in Texas and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service were key to bringing SET to the Texas Forest Country region.
Launched in 2010, SET is now in place in more than 30 states. Learn more at www.srdc.msstate.edu/set .
