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Meeting Date:	09/13/2021
Texas Parks and Wildlife Community Outdoor Outreach Program (CO-OP) 2022 Application
Submitted for:	Berenice Rodriguez	Submitted By:	Alexandra Castaneda
Department:	Water Utilities

Subject:

Discussion and possible action to authorize the development and submission of a Community Outdoor Outreach Program Grant Application to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in an amount not to exceed $60,000; and authorizing the County Judge to act as the County's Executive Officer and Authorized Representative in all matters pertaining to the County's participation in the 2022 TPWD Community Outdoor Outreach Program Grant. There is no cash match requirement for this grant; All required documents were reviewed by the Economic Development Department and the solicitation is compliant with the Webb County Single Point of Contact (SPOC) procedures. [Requested by James Flores, Economic Development Director]

Issue: According to the SAIPE (Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates) Map on the U.S. Census Bureau website, in 2019 Webb Counties' poverty percentage was 20.9%, in comparison to 13.6 % in the state of Texas and 12.3% for the United States. Unfortunately, due to these factors, youth in our community lack the opportunity to immerse themselves in Texas' natural beauty and partake in healthy outdoor recreational activities.

Solution: The Webb County Economic Development Department's grant application for a 2022 Community Outdoor Outreach Program (CO-OP) Grant will offer a series of recreational workshops held on site at several State Parks and Natural Areas designed to expose young people who would not otherwise have the opportunity to experience the natural beauties and recreational facilities available to them through the State Park System.

Result: Many youth will experience - mostly for the first time, outdoor recreational activities that are not locally available to them and that are beyond their financial reach. As a long-term goal, it is hoped that the participants will grow to appreciate the value and beauty of the Parks and in turn lead to a lifelong appreciation of the natural beauty Texas has to offer.

Background:

Grant funds are being sought to provide meaningful educational outdoor recreational opportunities for the youth of the County of Webb.

Previous Court Action:

None

Fiscal Impact

Budget Account Number:	N/A
Funding Source:	N/A
Balance:	N/A
Financial Impact:
None