Freestone County will receive GIS maps of water, sewer, and street systems which will build on local efforts to assemble detailed maps for capital improvements planning. Streets and housing conditions will also be reviewed.

In addition, Freestone County and its communities will receive tools to build entrepreneurship and support small businesses.

This is all through the Heart of Texas Council of Governments Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant of $660,000 from the United States Office of Housing and Urban Development.

With matching funds from regional partners investing in the project, the Regional Plan for Sustainable Development will cost just under $1 million and will provide a broad range of tools to strengthen communities and make them more competitive.

“This is a wonderful project,” said Kevin Benedict, chairman of the Heart of Texas Economic Development District, businessman, and active Freestone County Volunteer. “It will allow our region and Freestone county to grow more competitive and to achieve greater economic prosperity.

This puts us on the cutting edge.”

“We can use these tools,” agrees Fairfield City Administrator Jeff Looney. “We’ve been working for some time to compile more accurate and complete maps of our water system. This will enable us to work more efficiently and save taxpayer dollars over time.”

Freestone County Commissioners secured the benefits of the Sustainable Communities project for the entire county by pledging the cash and in-kind matching dollars required. In doing so they ensured that all citizens and communities would be served by the project.