Keep Whitesboro Beautiful (KWB) has been awarded a $110,000 grant as a recipient of the highly-coveted 2024 Governor’s Community Achievement Award (GCAA) for outstanding community improvement.
Each year, Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB), along with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), recognizes 10 winners of the GCAA. In addition to receiving a stately cast aluminum metal plaque, the 10 winning communities will share $2 million in landscape funding for a project to be completed by TxDOT along a state-maintained roadway. The KWB board will be forming a committee to seek input and manage the project. They are eager to meet with the state to go over the details and requirements for receiving the grant funds. That meeting is set for May 7.
“The [KWB] members are over-the-top excited for the opportunity this $110,000 grant brings to the community,” KWB President Michael Ross said. “When I got the phone call from the Keep Texas Beautiful program director, I asked her to repeat it to make sure what was said!”
Communities compete in 10 categories based on population, with the size of the landscaping award granted by population. KTB Program Director Sara Walters said that the Governor’s Community Achievement Awards received over 50 applications from around the state.
“This year’s 10 winning communities represent the hard work and dedication of volunteers around the state to create a better place to live, work and play for all Texans,” Walters said.
The Governor’s Community Achievement awards were created in partnership with the Governor’s Office in 1969, and TxDOT has provided landscaping award funding for the winners since 1985. To date, 261 projects have been funded, totaling $47 million in project costs.
The GCAA is one of the highest annual environmental and community improvement honors in Texas. A community’s environmental program is evaluated by a diverse group of multi-sector judges on achievements in seven environmental and community improvement areas: public awareness and outreach, environmental education, beautification and community improvement, litter prevention and cleanup, solid waste management, litter law and illegal dumping enforcement.
KWB has worked to diversify their approach to the mission of their organization.
“I truly believe it’s this innovation that set us apart from the other cities in our category,” Ross said.
Examples of that approach include a partnership with the city to invest in a clean and vibrant downtown area. From adding new benches to implementing an “Adopt-a-Pot” program with local businesses, KWB has worked hard on downtown beautification.
KWB also focuses on community engagement. Their E-Waste recycling program enables Whitesboro residents to recycle electronics. All WISD school campuses have a tower garden for students to plant, cultivate and harvest food served to the students. Fall Sweep clean-up, weekly Workday Wednesday and a kids’ craft and education station at community festivals provide opportunities for the community to gain awareness of and play a role in bettering the town.
“The grant is validation that the work the volunteers provide to the Whitesboro community has worth,” Ross said.
KWB is always looking for volunteers. Even those unable to do physical work can help in other ways. Please reach out to KWB to learn more information about the organization and volunteer opportunities. To learn more about GCAA and this year’s winners, visit ktb.org/gcaa.