With the national unemployment rate
hovering just above 8 percent, it is encouraging to see Texas communities,
large and small, creating new jobs.
A couple years ago, the Texas
Department of Agriculture awarded a downtown revitalization grant to the small
town of Cisco, located about 45 miles east of Abilene. Cisco, known for being
the site of Conrad Hilton’s first hotel, used the grant to provide street
improvements, safe parking and handicap access to the town's historic downtown
area. With those funds, the forward-looking city has seen a boom of new
business activity. Recently, a dance studio, barber shop and insurance company
have opened their doors in downtown Cisco. A Family Dollar store is now in the
works and a pizzeria is on the way. These new businesses are providing valuable
job opportunities for Cisco residents and have helped revitalize the city for
families to enjoy.
For a number of
years, TDA has made a priority of revitalizing rural downtown areas. With the Downtown Revitalization Program,
Texas towns are awarded up to $150,000 in federal grants twice a year. This
money helps to significantly revitalize and preserve the many historic downtown
areas that represent the Lone Star State’s heart and soul.
With its recent improvements and
economic development, Cisco is another example of why Texas is one of the
greatest states in the nation for residents to live, work and raise a family.
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