Sharing an email update with the Tx Historical Commission:

April Garner is a Program Development Specialist with the Heritage Tourism Program of Texas Historical Commission. And this is an exerpt of an email that I sent her in response to her "what can we do to help" email.

April, how exciting to hear back from you so soon! I met with the Visioning Committee and Remelle just last night and I realize that things are moving fast around here! Goree doesn’t wanna get left behind in their dust.

We, as a small town of three hundred in Knox County, are partnering with the Knox County Visioning Group, a county wide effort for bettering our part of Texas. Knox County and Judge Travis Floyd are PIONEERS in this endeavor and it is a very well-known effort. Goree has recently created a 501c-3 organization, Going for Greatness in Goree Group, http://cityofgoree.org/goingforgreatnessingoree.aspx , and this group is partnering with the city government’s brand spankin new 4A/4B corporations (taxes begin in Oct) to rebirth a town. Nature and Historic Tourism are what we are after. Our county wide economic director, Remelle Ferrar, is almost finished with the marketing, maps, etc. for our very own “Adventure Trail” thru Knox County (about to be hot off the presses, saw the final draft yesterday). Goree will fit into this trail, but as things stand right now I need money to get the work started on the ‘city’ side. We have a historic jailhouse, domino hall, and a possible hotel site. We have a building that would be a perfect place for a walk thru historical museum like the one in Hico, Texas. Hunting is hot in our area and so is Miller Creek, a lake right by us. The exterior of our downtown needs awnings, sidewalks and sandblasting of the bricks.

That’s what is going on with the ‘city/county’ side of which I am involved. Now, on the personal side! My husband and I have bought the historic bank building in the downtown area (waiting on the deed). We want to restore it, as close to historic accuracy as possible. The purpose would be for our office space (which is now in our home) and the back portion would be perfect for a hunting lodge with four units. Our business, Trainham Ice & Meat, is in the buildings next door. We have already renovated a small house in Goree for a bed & breakfast and it is up and running. Remelle told me about tax incentives for our project. I’ve studied these incentives over the internet and it seems like our project qualifies. Before work begins, I am under the impression that I need to have this property and the others for the city well on the way of getting on the Natl. Registry.

Thank you for your help and guidance in our endeavors.