Rural Economic Development Advisory Committee (REDAC)

Purpose:
Review, advise and recommend on policies and programs that benefit the economic stability and growth of Rural Texas. 

Process: 
Review, advise and give policy/program recommendations to the duly elected ARCIT Board of Directors. 

Committee Members:
Up to 20 ARCIT local officials, economic development corporation directors,utility districts and ARCIT board Member(s) with advisors as needed, see REDAC Membership

Meeting Frequency:  Once a quarter with invited state agency staff, if needed

2010-2010 Goal:  To research, study and recommend the funding of a Rural Economic Development Fund to the 82nd Texas Legislature.

Meeting Dates/Recap:

• Original Meeting as Rural Think Tank, May 17, 2006 - to discuss Texas Enterprise Fund
• Organizational Meeting as the Rural Development Advisory Committee, September 6, 2006.  Guests included the Governor's Office, Texas Department of Agriculture and Office of Rural Community Affairs to discuss rural economic development programs
• Served as rural local official source to the 80th Texas Legislature regarding the development of a Rural Development Fund - SB 1485 (Lucio)
• October 29, 2007  - Thirty four members in attendance representing over 25 rural cities, counties, edcs, state agencies and stakeholders setting the 2008 priority recommendations to conduct a study and build a coalition to look at the need for a rural economic development fund for Texas.
  

  Recap of the October, 2007 meeting establishing the 2008 Priority of a Rural Economic Development Fund:

  Top priority for the REDAC for 2007-08 is to study the need for a rural economic development fund funded at the state level.  Daniel Esparza was introduced from Senator Lucio's office.  Mr. Esparza shared that SB 1485, introduced by Senator Lucio in the 80th Texas Legislature, would have created a rural development fund but simply ran out of time on the House floor the last 2 days of session.
  The REDAC unanimously voted to recommend a REDAC Steering Committee to guide the process of a needed rural demographic and economic profile that would also identify state and federal rural economic development programs and their effectiveness.

             The ARCIT Board approved the REDAC's recommendation at their December, 2007 board teleconference.

• April 9, 2008 - Meeting to further discuss coalition building for the rural economic development fund study to include a statewide survey of the edcs to culminate in a stakeholder recommendation to the 81st Texas Legislature.
• Summer, 2008 - Teleconference/email updates on developing stakeholder recommendation to the 81st Texas Legislature regarding rural economic development fund study
• Fall, 2008 - Conducted eletronic survey of rural cities, counties and economic development corporations regarding the need for a Rural Economic Development Fund, received letters of support
• Spring, 2009 - Serving as a rural local official source to the 81st Texas Legislature regarding a rural economic development fund
• June 1, 2009 - Primary goal accomplished establishing a rural economic development fund for rural Texas.
• October 28, 2009 - Combined meeting with all 3 ARCIT advisory committees with guest speakers from Tx Department of Agriculture, Tx Dept of Housing and Community Affairs, Tx Dept of Rural Affairs, TX State Affordable Housing Corporation and TX Commission on Environmental Quality
• Next REDAC meeting - Fall, 2010 to discuss and set interim goals for 2010 -2011 and prepare for the 82nd Texas Legislature. 
  
  

If you are interested in serving on the REDAC, please see the ARCIT Advisory Committee Application Form.

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