GO TEXAN Rural Community Program The GO TEXAN Rural Community Program is a comprehensive initiative from the Texas Department of Agriculture designed to promote the growth and prosperity of every rural Texas town, city and county. It is a program for qualifying rural communities and rural Texas supporters. This program creates a single rallying call for rural Texas, educating the public about all rural Texas has to offer and encouraging rural communities to share and promote successful ideas. Participation is free and open to qualifying rural communities, rural businesses and other organizations devoted to the success of rural Texas. Enjoy browsing the Web site. For any additional information contact us at (877) 99-GOTEX or ruraltexas@TexasAgriculture.gov.

Member Benefits GO TEXAN Rural Community Program benefits include an array of features, such as:   Use of the GO TEXAN mark indicating participation in the GO TEXAN campaign promoting rural Texas and taking advantage of the program's visibility; Receipt of the GO TEXAN Rural Community Program Infoletter packed with information and news of interest to rural communities; Regular e-mail updates with timely information on workshops, resources and agencies or organizations focused on rural development; Inclusion in the GO TEXAN Rural Community Program database available online to highlight rural Texas communities and their efforts; and Hometown STARS and Bootstrap Bucks fund reimbursement programs for certified affiliates. These programs help rural communities leverage the dollars available to promote rural tourism events.

Eligibility Certified Membership Certified Membership is open to non-metropolitan counties or cities located in rural Texas. Eligible cities must have a population of less than 20,000 and city limits may not adjoin to another city or group of cities' city-limit boundaries with an aggregate population of 50,000 or more. Effective January 29, 2009, counties located within a U.S. Census Bureau designated Metropolitan Statistical Area with a population of less than 50,000 will be considered non-metropolitan. (See Texas Metro County Map to determine if your community is located in a non-metropolitan area). Associate Membership Associate Membership is open to businesses, chambers of commerce, councils of government, economic development corporations, convention and visitors bureaus, sole proprietors, partnerships, cooperative organizations or corporations. Business applicants' principal place of business must be in Texas, and they must have a business location in rural Texas. Membership is also available to individuals, organizations and associations. All that is required is a commitment to support and promote the many facets of rural Texas to ensure that "Small Town, Texas" gets all the attention it deserves. If you have any questions, call the toll-free hotline at (877) 99GO-TEX or e-mail ruraltexas@TexasAgriculture.

Texas Metro County Map (pdf)

GO TEXAN Rural Community Program Application

Membership Application Joining the GO TEXAN Rural Community Program is easy and free. Simply download, complete and return the application. Information gathered on the application will be used to spotlight affiliates online and promote the exciting rural development efforts underway across the state. Mail the application to: Marketing and Promotion Division Texas Department of Agriculture P.O. Box 12847 Austin, TX 78711 If you have any questions about your application, please call (877) 99-GOTEX or e-mail ruraltexas@TexasAgriculture.gov.

GO TEXAN Rural Community Program Application

Rural Texas Facts

Rural Community Frequently Asked Questions

GO TEXAN Rural Community Member Search Click on the sidebar to search for all GO TEXAN Rural Community certified communities and associates.

Information on the Rural Community team. Tell us how we can help.