Grant Awarded...

Goree got money from the Government??? Why, yes they did! The Mayor of Goree signed the paperwork for a USDA-RD grant in the amount of $9900.00 and a low interest loan for $2600.00. The City was previously awarded a grant through ORCA, but still had to come up with the 10% matching funds of $12,500.00. Goree is in desperate need of work on the water system and this money will complete a project that was left half done in a previous effort.

According to Larry Clements, Rural Development Specialist (far left), communities need to know that you can get money from the government for help with your problems. He added, "The towns who do benefit from our programs are those who have 'a mover and a shaker' like Nancy Birkenfeld." Nancy Birkenfeld is a City Councilperson who has gone the extra mile in making sure her community gets a fair shake. She, with the guidance of Mr. Clements, worked through much paperwork in order that the matching funds were sought and found. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your hard work. It, literally, paid off!

Hometown Helper Grant

The following essay was submitted to the hometown helper grant program. At some point our project will be published on their website.

Our small town is almost dead. But, we are hopeful because we have a new theme and dream. Goree, Texas: Gateway to Miller Creek Reservoir. We are the nearest town with easiest access to the 3rd ranked fishing lake in Texas. In our area, farmers and ranchers have been innovative in discerning the trend of the times. They are catering to people who want guided hunting and fishing opportunities. All they have is the land and the heart to put it to good use.

With our new found purpose, the GGG Group wants to create an environment where dreams become reality. Based on casting the vision alone, businesses and ideas have already sprung to life. Deer processing, lodging, storage buildings, and for more info...
http://cityofgoree.org/goingforgreatnessingoree.aspx

Dreams are coming true, but we need a helping hand. What dream do we need your help with? A Hometown Makeover! We have talented volunteers with the heart, but we don’t have materials. We need to build two welcome signs, tin awnings and wooden sidewalks. The labor will be provided by volunteers which is priceless and we already have $891 from donations and fund-raisers. How can your $6800 help? $2,000 for signs, $3400 awnings, and $1400 sidewalks. The trex material is more expensive than wood, but durability is imperative.

This project will first of all let the world know that we exist with signs by the new highway and second of all help us create an aesthetically pleasing downtown area when they do exit. By revitalizing our downtown area, our existing and prospective businesses will flourish.

(Picture that inspired our downtown vision)

GrantWork update from Nancy B.

GOD IS AWESOME!!!! I just got off the phone with Darren Clark at RC&D. He told me to call WCTCOG to ask about where to start to get a grant for cleanup. This is where Aspermont got lots of help and grant money to start cleaning up their town. He asked me what else we needed help with and I told him about needing to set up a 501(c)3 non-profit and we were hoping to maybe use the Goree Memorial Building Committee's if they had one already set up....This is where GOD SHOWS OFF!!!!!! He said "Oh, well, if they don't I have helped set up a lot of these. Nothing to it.

Just let me know and I will help you get the paperwork started!" IS GOD NOT JUST GLORIOUS??????????? 4 hours after our prayer.....that's all it took for HIM to work!!!!! He said filing fees with the State and IRS would be about $325.00. I asked if the City could provide seed money to get this started and he thought we could. Economic Development! He said that whatever we needed, he was there to help and advise!

GOD IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!!
Nancy Birkenfeld