City of Big Sandy receives

Community Assistance Grant

Text Box: SRA Presents Assistance Grant
to City of Big Sandy

From left: City Councilmember Sonny Parsons, Mayor Lynda Childress, SRA Economic Development Manager Ann Galassi, Resident and Grant Consultant Mary Kay Thomas and City Councilmember Wayne Weiss

(Big Sandy, TX) The Sabine River Authority of Texas (SRA) is pleased to award the City of Big Sandy a Community Assistance Grant as part of their FY 2004 Economic Development Initiative. The $10,000 check will leverage Texas Community Development Program (TCDP) grant funds to replace a 50,000 gallon underground water storage tank and to replace water distribution lines in the City. This project will bring the City’s water system in compliance with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) standards. “The underground storage tank, constructed in 1935, is cracked and leaking,” stated Lynda Childress, Mayor of Big Sandy. “Replacing the water lines will provide a continuous water loop for the system and increase water pressure throughout the City,” added Mayor Childress.

The grant received from SRA will be combined with a local funds and the TCDP grant for a total water infrastructure improvement of $274,350 for the City. “SRA is proud to partner with the City of Big Sandy in their efforts to improve the quality of services provided to its customers,” stated SRA General Manager Jerry Clark.

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Funds provided for the Community Assistance Grant Program must fall within four project categories, which include 1) Water Supply; 2) Wastewater Management;

3) Water Conservation; and 4) Water Quality and are limited to $10,000 per project.

The City of Big Sandy was one of three entities approved for funding by SRA’s Board of Directors in July of 2004. The other recipients were Panola County and Brookland Fresh Water Supply District in Newton County.

In order to be eligible for the Community Assistance Program, applicants should be a governmental entity (City, County, SUD, MUD or COG) or a non-profit, member-owned Water Supply Corporation and located within the Sabine River Basin of Texas. Water resource projects should be consistent with the statutory mission of SRA-Texas. Created as a conservation and reclamation district in 1949, responsibilities of the Sabine River Authority of Texas are to control, store, preserve and distribute the waters of the Sabine River and its tributary system for useful purposes.

The Sabine River Basin covers a large portion of East Texas with a population of approximately 600,000 in all or part of 21 counties according to U.S. 2000 Census figures. A large portion of that area is rural in nature. “The Sabine River Authority of Texas is providing this grant opportunity to promote the improvement of the quality and quantity of services essential for the development and growth of viable communities within the Sabine River Basin,” said SRA General Manager Jerry Clark. “SRA is committed to work in tandem with existing counties and communities throughout the basin to promote the economic vitality of the region.”

The next round of funding for this program will be in October of 2004. For more information about the Community Assistance Program, you may contact Ann Galassi at (409) 746-2192 or email: agalassi@sra.dst.tx.us