This Week

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar last week announced an initial award of $4.8 million in grant funding to six High Plains counties for broadband infrastructure projects as part of the Bringing Online Opportunities to Texas (BOOT) program. This initial funding will support four broadband projects that will bring reliable, affordable internet service to 648 locations in the counties of Floyd, Hockley, Hall, Yoakum, Donley and Garza.

“The distribution of these funds is just the beginning of a historic investment in Texas,” said Hegar, who is chair of the Comptroller-run Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO), which has been legislatively mandated to close the digital divide in this state. “Critical broadband infrastructure projects across the state are starting to get much-needed attention that will help us increase access to reliable, high-speed internet and close the availability gap in Texas.”

AMA Communications was awarded $2.9 million to connect 310 locations in Donley County.

An AMA spokesman told the Enterprise Tuesday the company is currently working on the details for the grant-funded work in Donley County, but they not yet ready to make an announcement.

In 2021, Texas was allocated $500.5 million as part of the Capital Projects Fund (CPF), a $10 billion component of the American Rescue Plan Act. Texas received the second-largest allocation of any state.

In 2023, the BDO began accepting grant applications for the BOOT program, which is funded through CPF dollars. Eligible applicants included internet service providers, political subdivisions and public-private partnerships interested in developing broadband infrastructure to connect unserved and underserved locations.

Poka Lambro Telecom-munications Ltd., Valor Telecom-munications of Texas LLC, AMA Communications LLC and Resound Networks received funding for broadband infrastructure projects in High Plains counties. The awardees met a mandate that they could deliver, upon completion, broadband service that reliably meets or exceeds symmetrical speeds of 100 megabits per second. They also demonstrated they could provide a universally available low-cost option for locations being connected through the BOOT program.

Organizers of an upcoming prayer event in Groom say God’s heart is to bring His people together again in unity and prayer.

From June 20 to June 22, believers from across the Texas Panhandle are invited to join in a historic event: 52 Hours of non-stop worship and praise at the iconic Cross in Groom.

In an unprecedented initiative, churches from every county in the Texas Panhandle will take part, each leading a two-hour timeslot of worship at the cross. All generations and colleges are welcome to participate, as this event marks a significant moment for the Texas Panhandle region.

The event will kick off at 2 p.m. on June 20 and conclude at 10 p.m. on June 22, with each county in the Texas Panhandle having a designated two-hour time slot to lead in worship and prayer. Participants are encouraged to lead as they normally would in their churches.

For information, visit www.awakenthedawntxpanhandle.com.

Clarendon will host NewsChannel 10 for a Summer Celebration on Monday, July 15, at the Courthouse Square.

Volunteers are lining up games and events for the evening with activities running from 4 to 8 p.m. NewsChannel 10 will broadcast their 5:00 and 6:00 newscasts live from the Donley County Courthouse Square.

Those interested in having a booth at the event can call Brian Barboza at 806-874-3438 for more information.

US Representative Ronny Jackson (TX-13) was appointed last week by Speaker Mike Johnson to serve on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

This powerful committee is charged with oversight of the United States Intelligence Community, including the intelligence and intelligence-related activities of all elements of the United States Government. The Committee is led by Chairman Mike Turner of Ohio.

“I am honored to accept Speaker Johnson’s appointment to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence,” Jackson said. “I am eager to serve on this prestigious committee to conduct key oversight of the intelligence community and ensure their focus remains on national security and protecting the American people at home.

“Far too many bad actors around the world want to see America’s national security and status on the world stage destroyed, and it is critical that our intelligence community counters these efforts and keeps our country safe. Working alongside Chairman Turner, I believe we will be able to restore the American people’s complete faith in our intelligence community. I look forward to bringing my experience in the military, and as a doctor, to the committee so that I can be an asset for this incredible team led by Chairman Mike Turner.” Jackson said.

“The House Intelligence Committee is working to keep Americans safe and to ensure proper oversight of our national security agencies,” Speaker Johnson said. “I look forward to Representative Ronny Jackson bringing his experience and important contributions to the Committee’s work.”

Chairman Turner praised Jackson’s service to the nation.
“Ronny Jackson has 25 years of medical and national security experience and will bring a unique perspective to the House Intelligence Committee,” Turner said. “I am looking forward to serving with him.”

A new mural will soon be taking shape downtown following action by the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation last week.

The CEDC board approved a design and engaged artist Malcolm Byars to paint a mural on the south side of the REFZ building. Byars plans to begin work on the mural next Monday, June 10, and hopes to be finished before July 4.

Byars has painted several murals across the country, including a buffalo mural just off the square in Claude. The CEDC Board first met with Byars almost a year ago and has been working with him on the design since that time.

The Clarendon mural will pay homage to the area’s ranching history and to one of the community’s most popular events. It will feature a Chuckwagon camp scene along with images of pioneer ranchers Col. Charles Goodnight, John and Cornelia Adair, and Alfred Rowe.

“The EDC is excited to partner with Malcolm Byars on the mural project to pay tribute to the ranching heritage of this community,” CEDC Vice President Taylor Shelton said. “We are hopeful the mural will attract attention to main street, drive additional foot traffic to downtown, and help support our downtown businesses.”

The ranch heritage mural will cost about $27,000 and will be paid for by Hotel Occupancy Tax funds administered by the CEDC.

Just two weeks ago, the CEDC erected a new sign at the corner of US 287 and Kearney Street designed to welcome visitors while also promoting the new REFZ Sports Bar & Grill and provide a promotional opportunity to downtown merchants. The CEDC and the Chamber of Commerce have also purchased seasonal banners for the new streetlights in the 100 block of Kearney Street.

CEDC officials hope the new mural will inspire property owners to consider taking on similar projects. In December, the CEDC authorized a Mural Grant Program to enhance Clarendon’s appearance, increase employment opportunities in the arts, raise awareness and appreciation of the value of art, create civic pride, reduce blight, and encourage tourism.

Grant recipients can be eligible to receive reimbursement for up to one-half of the mural project cost based on funds available each year.

The program rules were modeled on a similar program in Amarillo and stipulate that proposed locations for grant-funded murals must be high-traffic areas that are readily visible and must be in the Central Business District or along the US 287 corridor.

Mural grant applications are available online at ClarendonTX.com/CEDC.