Hardworking Rural Community Awards 2007 The Texas Department of Agriculture announced the winners of the 2007 Hardworking Rural Community Awards, which spotlight rural Texas communities working hard to boost tourism, job growth, leadership mentoring, community development and other economic opportunities.  Ten communities were selected for honors in 2007.  These communities were recognized for the dedication, leadership and ingenuity shown by community volunteers, business owners and city and county officials - all working together to preserve the past, celebrate the present and anticipate the future.  As the Shining Star, top honor and a $3,000 grant went to the city of Hamilton.  The nine communities that each received a $1,500 grant were Brady, Center, Clifton, Columbus, Eden, Monahans, Throckmorton County, Tye and Yoakum.  These grants can be applied to future community development efforts. The Hardworking Rural Community Awards are open to all GO TEXAN Rural Community certified members.  Be on the lookout for the next call for applications in 2008. For more information, call (877) 99GO-TEX or e-mail ruraltexas@tda.state.tx.us.

Hamilton: Shining Star "What a hometown should be" - a sentiment surely shared by this small town's first settlers some 150 years ago and the hardworking hometown heroes of today. Located along US 281 midway between Austin and Dallas, the city of Hamilton may be small in size with a population just under 3,000, but this rural community can boast about some mighty big milestones - proof of what can be accomplished by community volunteers, business owners and city and county officials all working together to preserve the past, celebrate the present and anticipate the future.  Known as the Dove Hunting Capital of Texas, Hamilton also features a million-dollar community sports complex, a state-of-the-art medical center and the three-acre Circle T Arena attracting 40,000 visitors a year. The city recently saw successful implementation of tax abatements, a revolving loan program for small business start-ups and expansions, street and water/sewage improvements, affordable housing initiatives, the mayor's beautification committee and the economic development corporation's downtown revitalization efforts. These programs all began with a community assessment five years ago called "GO HAMILTON! Where Do We Want to Go?", where priorities were identified and project teams formed. Just some of the many results: a substantial increase in hotel/motel tax revenues, more than 50 new jobs, nine affordable homes constructed with another nine to be built, 75 graduates of Leadership Hamilton, millions of dollars in infrastructure improvements and even more business development projects under way. Working with neighboring communities, Hamilton is harnessing the power of regional partnerships like the US 281 Corridor Coalition, state and federal grant programs, community foundations and the volunteer spirit already fueling fundraising festivals, such as the Dove Festival, Hamilton Hillaceous Bike Ride and newly introduced Firefest. New granite signs along the highway welcome tourists to this north central Texas town, and targeted mailings sent to high school alumni invite Hamilton's sons and daughters back home. Hamilton is a shining example of how a hardworking rural community with limited resources but unlimited initiative can leverage every resource at every level, involve every stakeholder group and work across organizational and geographical lines to make things happen. The Texas Department of Agriculture salutes the hardworking community of Hamilton for the dedication, leadership and ingenuity shown in planting the seeds for growth in tourism, job creation, leadership mentoring, community development and other economic opportunities. Congratulations on leading the way for others across the state.

Brady Country music, barbecue cook-offs and a weekend at the lake - Texas traditions near and dear to the heart - all can be found in the town of Brady, coincidentally located in the "true" heart of Texas (the state's geographic center) in the Hill Country northwest of Austin. Cook-off contestants gather every year for the World Championship Barbecue Goat Cook-Off in this county seat, population 5,700. The event is the longest-running goat cook-off in Texas, and more than just a title and bragging rights are on the line for the 150 entrants: Billies, nannies and their offspring represent a $2 million industry in McCulloch County, a top 20 goat producer in the nation.  Settled in the 1870s, Brady blends old traditions and new, from Minnie Pearl's heart-warming $1.98 hat on display in the Heart of Texas Country Music Museum to the heart-stopping Thunder Drag Boat Races featuring 100 high-powered boats racing full throttle along a 1/4-mile stretch of Brady Lake. Along with the July Jubilee hosted every year since 1926, these annual attractions and the community's tourism marketing programs attract thousands of visitors, including recent media tours hosting 30 journalists and generating the equivalent of more than $379,000 of editorial coverage. Brady's other recent achievements include a community clean-up project that collected more than 100 tons of refuse, a new $9.5 million water treatment facility and creation of a $68,000 small business revolving loan fund. In 2006, the city grew hotel/motel and sales tax revenues and benefited from public and private investments of nearly $14 million. The Texas Department of Agriculture salutes the hardworking community of Brady for the dedication, leadership and ingenuity shown by community volunteers, business owners and city and county officials - all working together to preserve the past, celebrate the present and anticipate the future.

Columbus Reinvention is often one of the keys to survival for small-town America - and it is the secret to success for the rural Texas town of Columbus, located 65 miles west of Houston along IH-10. Where Sam Houston's troops and the Mexican army once camped on either shore of a lazy bend in the Colorado River, this river crossing town rose from the ashes of retreat then saw the rise and fall of tobacco, cotton, oil, cattle and the Great Depression. But continual reinvention has created the Columbus of today - a vibrant community of around 4,000 offering visitors a glimpse of the past with the "Live Oaks and Dead Folks" cemetery tour and a nod to the future with the development of an MP3 file download of an audio tour of historic homes.   Columbus has added 40 new jobs this past year and increased sales and hotel/motel tax revenues over the past several years. Even though occupancy taxes were waived for the hurricane evacuees, Columbus welcomed them with open doors and hearts. Major community development investments in local health service expansion, school district renovations and wastewater improvements will generate increasing returns. Efforts are under way to secure resources for the future through the creation of a water district. In a unique public-private partnership, nature tourism efforts have led to the official designation of the state's second Inland Paddling Trail. And downtown revitalization efforts have been sparked by the successful renovation and repurposing of a historic hotel along with support from the community's industrial development corporation.  The Texas Department of Agriculture salutes the hardworking community of Columbus for the dedication, leadership and ingenuity shown by community volunteers, business owners and city and county officials - all working together to preserve the past, celebrate the present and anticipate the future.

Monahans The West Texas community of Monahans sprang forth from the first water well dug in 1881 between the Pecos River and the Big Spring area. Just a half hour outside Odessa, this booming town, appropriately named for the man who dug the well, is located in the Permian Basin, a geographical area that is home to more than 60 percent of Texas' oil production and could be home to the first zero-emissions fuel plant in the future. Partnering with neighboring communities, Monahans has pledged $100,000 in Odessa's bid for the FutureGen project, a $1 billion public-private initiative to create the world's first zero-emissions coal-fired hydrogen-producing electric plant. The economic impact of this plant would be significant in the community, the state and the nation as a whole. Site selection from among four locations is expected by the end of 2007. A Main Street City, Monahans' population of 7,300 welcomes visitors to Sandhills State Park, the Million Barrel Museum and Rattlesnake Bomber Base. Hotel/motel tax revenues have increased and an advertising campaign to promote even more tourism is set to launch with a new hotel already built and another under construction. New business is booming with companies relocating to this oilfield hub, as evidenced by some 200 new jobs and an unemployment rate of less than two percent. Community leaders work together for the benefit of all citizens and have created the Ward County Endowment Fund; located and cleared land for two agencies offering health and nutrition services; and provided volunteer support for civic, beautification and food distribution projects. The Texas Department of Agriculture salutes the hardworking community of Monahans for the dedication, leadership and ingenuity shown by community volunteers, business owners and city and county officials - all working together to preserve the past, celebrate the present and anticipate the future.

Throckmorton County Rather than "spend money to put rouge on a hog," the citizens of Throckmorton County first focused grassroots beautification efforts on a countywide clean-up campaign in this hunting haven two hours northwest of the DFW area. Thanks to 280 volunteers donating 300 hours per month in the first year of the clean-up campaign, efforts have paid off not just by the removal of trash, structures and vehicles but also by what has been added. With a $60,000 award from Keep Texas Beautiful, a $200,000 donation from the First National Bank and a $100,000 matching state grant, infrastructure improvements are now planned for downtown sidewalks and a new swimming pool. The town of Throckmorton, the county's seat of government, is the smallest town in the nation with a fully functional county hospital and clinic. Ten new businesses recently have come to town and created 20 jobs, and community leaders are recruiting other businesses to fill retail service gaps. The housing market is hot, and landowners are now capitalizing on agricultural diversification and outdoor recreation, opening their gates for hunting, fishing and a future crop - wind energy. Community reinvestment dollars have secured equipment for the hospital and a new scoreboard for the high school and have funded resurfacing of the municipal airport runway. A Cow Country Christmas and the two-day World Championship Rocky Mountain Oyster Festival are just two of the 10 marquee events drawing visitors to the area along with the cultural treasures on display at the Bone Yard Art Park and the Old Jail Museum. The Texas Department of Agriculture salutes Throckmorton County for the dedication, leadership and ingenuity shown by community volunteers, business owners and city and county officials - all working together to preserve the past, celebrate the present and anticipate the future.

Tye Planes, trains and automobiles - that is the theme of seven new directional signs in the small community of Tye pointing to downtown destinations and community pride in business partnerships. Partnerships between city leaders, the chamber, local banks and the economic and industrial development corporations have contributed to 67 new jobs in the past two years in this small community of 1,183 residents outside of Abilene. From doughnuts to drivetrains, grants and no-interest or low-interest loans have funded numerous business start-ups, expansions and building improvements, providing real, tangible support for Tye's homegrown rural entrepreneurs. Quality-of-life improvements include building three new playground parks, acquiring land for a planned 120-unit affordable housing project and securing $2.3 million for street, water and sewer line improvements to pave the way for development north of I-20 and attract new employers, motels and restaurants to this crossroads of commerce. In addition, a new site has been purchased for the chamber and a library. Business and residential beautification efforts are recognized quarterly and annually, and hands-on help with lawn maintenance is provided to disabled citizens. Elementary and high school students will be digging in this year to help local civic groups with landscaping improvements around the city. Tourism is a growing industry for Tye. Recent investments in marketing promotions highlight the annual Tye Wheel Fest, which features hose and pumper competitions between area fire departments; the Julian Morgan Museum, which celebrates area heritage; and Tye's traditional Texas Christmas celebrations. The Texas Department of Agriculture salutes the hardworking community of Tye for the dedication, leadership and ingenuity shown by community volunteers, business owners and city and county officials - all working together to preserve the past, celebrate the present and anticipate the future.

Yoakum Where Texas longhorn once gathered along the Chisholm Trail for the long trek north, groups of a different sort gathered in Yoakum on a path to the future for this community to produce cowboys, cattle, leather and tomatoes. Working together has been the key to success for this hardworking town located midway between San Antonio and Houston. From agreements with surrounding cities and counties for emergency management support, to implementation of a new cityscape master plan for the downtown Pershing Square and from the coordination of a rural travel guide on behalf of 18 different partners to the development/renovation of the Master Parks Plan, the power of partnerships has generated true results. Revenues from hotel/motel taxes dramatically increased in 2005 and 2006, new business investments totaled $4.5 million and 175 new jobs were created with 227 retained. Water distribution system improvements, building renovation funding and $7 million in major sewer system enhancements have helped existing and new businesses grow while improving Yoakum's bid for future employers. Yoakum also provides support for after-school programs, beautification projects and improvements for the library's technology and children's programs. Seven new homes have been funded through a state grant, and construction of the first Habitat for Humanity home is under way. Visitors are welcome to experience Yoakum at the annual Tom Tom and Land of Leather festivals and the Country USA dinner and award-winning opry showcase held every second Tuesday. The Texas Department of Agriculture salutes the hardworking community of Yoakum for the dedication, leadership and ingenuity shown by community volunteers, business owners and city and county officials - all working together to preserve the past, celebrate the present and anticipate the future.

Previous Program Winners For a list of previous winners, click here.