I want to kick things off with a huge, personal thank you to the Texas General Land Office (GLO) and Commissioner Dawn Buckingham for the incredible support they’ve shown my little town of Simonton in Fort Bend County. Recently, Simonton scored funding as part of a $97.6 million regional package announced on March 4, 2025, aimed at upgrading our roads and drainage systems. This grant isn’t just a line item—it’s a lifeline for our community, tackling flooding head-on and setting us up for a safer, stronger future. The GLO’s faith in small towns like ours is something I’m truly grateful for, and it’s making a real difference here. A quick nod also goes to our Mayor, Laurie Boudreaux, for her efforts in helping us land this opportunity—appreciated, Mayor!
But Simonton’s just one piece of the puzzle. Over the past three years, the GLO has poured millions into cities and counties all over Texas, from emergency shelters in places like Luling to major infrastructure boosts in growing spots like Montgomery County. Their work is rebuilding communities, shoring up our defenses against disasters, and keeping Texas thriving no matter the challenge. It’s amazing to see their reach—whether it’s $17.5 million for a community hub in Caldwell County or $1.1 million for drainage in Washington County, the GLO is delivering results everywhere.
What I admire most about the GLO, beyond the grant they’ve given Simonton, is how approachable they’ve made the grant process for towns and cities. Whether you’re a big hitter like Houston or a quiet place like Iola, the GLO opens the door to possibility. Their website (www.glo.texas.gov) lays it all out—clear guidelines, program options like the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) or mitigation funds, and even templates to get you started. You’ll often team up with regional Councils of Governments (COGs) to shape your application, and the GLO’s staff is right there with technical support to guide you through.
Applying for a GLO grant isn’t a headache—it’s a chance to solve real problems and dream bigger for your community. From sewage systems to emergency roads to evacuation centers, they back projects that count. Simonton’s proof of that: with their help, we’re turning challenges into wins. I’d encourage any local leader reading this to check out what the GLO has to offer. The process is doable, the support is real, and the impact could change your town for the better.
So, to the GLO, thank you—from the bottom of my heart—for what you’ve done for Simonton and countless other Texas communities. You’re not just funding projects; you’re fueling hope and resilience. Below, I’ve rounded up a detailed list of cities and counties that have benefited from GLO grants over the past three years. It’s a testament to what’s possible when we team up with an organization as committed as the GLO.
Below is an expanded report detailing cities and counties in Texas that have received funds through the Texas General Land Office (GLO) over the last three years (March 2022 to March 2025). This includes specific amounts where available, based on recent announcements, historical GLO programs, and disaster recovery efforts. The GLO administers a wide range of grants, including Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR), Community Development Block Grant-Mitigation (CDBG-MIT), Coastal Management Program (CMP) funds, and other infrastructure or recovery initiatives. Since comprehensive, exhaustive lists for every grant are not fully detailed in public sources for this exact timeframe, I’ve compiled a broader selection of examples with specifics where possible, supplemented by regional allocations that include multiple cities and counties. For a complete record, the GLO’s official grant archives would be required.
Partial List of Cities and Counties in Texas Receiving GLO Grants (March 2022–March 2025)
Specific Awards with Amounts and Dates
- City of Luling (Caldwell County)
- Amount: $1.5 million
- Date: March 23, 2025
- Purpose: Construction of an emergency evacuation shelter
- Details: Approved by Commissioner Dawn Buckingham to bolster community safety and resilience.
- Washington County (including Brenham)
- Amount: $1.1 million
- Date: March 21, 2025
- Purpose: Drainage improvements
- Details: Part of recent infrastructure investments to protect against flooding.
- City of Iola (Grimes County)
- Amount: $10.8 million
- Date: Within 2022–2025 (exact date unspecified in recent data)
- Purpose: Installation of a new sewage system
- Details: A significant award for a small town (population ~379), enhancing public health infrastructure.
- Caldwell County
- Amount: $17.5 million
- Date: Within 2022–2025
- Purpose: New community center doubling as an evacuation hub
- Details: A major mitigation project to support disaster preparedness.
- Gonzales County
- Amount: $6 million
- Date: Within 2022–2025
- Purpose: Sheriff’s department radio tower and radios
- Details: Improves emergency communication systems.
- Bastrop County
- Amount: $4.2 million
- Date: Within 2022–2025
- Purpose: Construction of a 2,000-foot road for emergency access between commercial areas
- Details: Enhances disaster response capabilities.
- City of Kenedy (Karnes County)
- Amount: Part of $17.9 million regional package
- Date: December 19, 2024
- Purpose: Roads, water detention, drainage, and sewer system improvements
- Details: Specific amount for Kenedy not isolated but included in a multi-city/counties allocation.
- City of Lexington (Lee County)
- Amount: Part of $17.9 million regional package
- Date: December 19, 2024
- Purpose: Infrastructure upgrades (roads, drainage, sewer)
- Details: Funded through the Regional Mitigation Program.
- City of Portland (San Patricio County)
- Amount: Part of $17.9 million regional package
- Date: December 19, 2024
- Purpose: Drainage and sewer enhancements
- Details: Part of GLO’s efforts to improve resiliency.
- City of Lockhart (Caldwell County)
- Amount: Part of $17.9 million regional package
- Date: December 19, 2024
- Purpose: Road and drainage improvements
- Details: Supports local infrastructure resilience.
- City of Shiner (Lavaca County)
- Amount: Part of $17.9 million regional package
- Date: December 19, 2024
- Purpose: Sewer and drainage upgrades
- Details: Part of a broader mitigation effort.
- City of Smiley (Gonzales County)
- Amount: Part of $17.9 million regional package
- Date: December 19, 2024
- Purpose: Infrastructure improvements
- Details: Small community benefiting from regional funds.
- City of Taft (San Patricio County)
- Amount: Part of $17.9 million regional package
- Date: December 19, 2024
- Purpose: Road and water system enhancements
- Details: Coastal community resilience project.
- Atascosa County
- Amount: Part of $17.9 million regional package
- Date: December 19, 2024
- Purpose: Drainage and sewer improvements
- Details: County-wide infrastructure support.
- Goliad County
- Amount: Part of $17.9 million regional package
- Date: December 19, 2024
- Purpose: Road and water detention upgrades
- Details: Part of mitigation funding.
- Guadalupe County
- Amount: Part of $17.9 million regional package
- Date: December 19, 2024
- Purpose: Sewer and drainage enhancements
- Details: Supports flood mitigation efforts.
- City of Hallettsville (Lavaca County)
- Amount: Part of $31.8 million regional package
- Date: May 20, 2024
- Purpose: Communications, streets, and drainage improvements
- Details: Enhances local disaster preparedness.
- City of Hearne (Robertson County)
- Amount: Part of $31.8 million regional package
- Date: May 20, 2024
- Purpose: Drainage and sewer system upgrades
- Details: Part of regional mitigation efforts.
- City of Madisonville (Madison County)
- Amount: Part of $31.8 million regional package
- Date: May 20, 2024
- Purpose: Street and drainage improvements
- Details: Supports community resilience.
- City of Conroe (Montgomery County)
- Amount: Part of $31.8 million regional package
- Date: May 20, 2024
- Purpose: Sewer and drainage enhancements
- Details: Growing city benefiting from mitigation funds.
- City of La Grange (Fayette County)
- Amount: Part of $31.8 million regional package
- Date: May 20, 2024
- Purpose: Communications and infrastructure upgrades
- Details: Improves local systems post-disaster.
- Robertson County
- Amount: Part of $31.8 million regional package
- Date: May 20, 2024
- Purpose: Drainage and sewer improvements
- Details: County-wide resilience project.
- Colorado County
- Amount: Part of $31.8 million regional package
- Date: May 20, 2024
- Purpose: Street and drainage enhancements
- Details: Part of GLO’s mitigation strategy.
- Sabine County
- Amount: Part of $31.8 million regional package
- Date: May 20, 2024
- Purpose: Infrastructure upgrades
- Details: Supports rural community needs.
- San Augustine County
- Amount: Part of $31.8 million regional package
- Date: May 20, 2024
- Purpose: Drainage and communications improvements
- Details: Enhances rural resilience.
- City of College Station (Brazos County)
- Amount: Part of $97.6 million regional package
- Date: March 4, 2025
- Purpose: Roads, drainage, and sewer system upgrades
- Details: Major city benefiting from large-scale mitigation funds.
- City of Flatonia (Fayette County)
- Amount: Part of $97.6 million regional package
- Date: March 4, 2025
- Purpose: Infrastructure improvements
- Details: Small town resilience project.
- City of Giddings (Lee County)
- Amount: Part of $97.6 million regional package
- Date: March 4, 2025
- Purpose: Drainage and sewer enhancements
- Details: Supports flood mitigation.
- City of Kirbyville (Jasper County)
- Amount: Part of $97.6 million regional package
- Date: March 4, 2025
- Purpose: Road and water system upgrades
- Details: Rural community improvement.
- City of Point Blank (San Jacinto County)
- Amount: Part of $97.6 million regional package
- Date: March 4, 2025
- Purpose: Drainage improvements
- Details: Small town flood mitigation.
- City of Point Comfort (Calhoun County)
- Amount: Part of $97.6 million regional package
- Date: March 4, 2025
- Purpose: Sewer and drainage upgrades
- Details: Coastal community support.
- City of Port Lavaca (Calhoun County)
- Amount: Part of $97.6 million regional package
- Date: March 4, 2025
- Purpose: Infrastructure enhancements
- Details: Coastal resilience project.
- City of Rockport (Aransas County)
- Amount: Part of $97.6 million regional package
- Date: March 4, 2025
- Purpose: Roads and drainage improvements
- Details: Recovery and mitigation post-Harvey.
- City of Simonton (Fort Bend County)
- Amount: Part of $97.6 million regional package
- Date: March 4, 2025
- Purpose: Sewer and drainage enhancements
- Details: Small community flood protection.
- City of Todd Mission (Grimes County)
- Amount: Part of $97.6 million regional package
- Date: March 4, 2025
- Purpose: Infrastructure upgrades
- Details: Tiny town (population ~100) benefiting from regional funds.
- City of Yorktown (DeWitt County)
- Amount: Part of $97.6 million regional package
- Date: March 4, 2025
- Purpose: Drainage and sewer improvements
- Details: Supports rural resilience.
- Jim Wells County
- Amount: Part of $97.6 million regional package
- Date: March 4, 2025
- Purpose: Roads and water detention upgrades
- Details: County-wide infrastructure support.
- Lee County
- Amount: Part of $97.6 million regional package
- Date: March 4, 2025
- Purpose: Drainage and sewer enhancements
- Details: Flood mitigation efforts.
- DeWitt County
- Amount: Part of $97.6 million regional package
- Date: March 4, 2025
- Purpose: Roads and drainage improvements
- Details: Supports disaster resilience.
- Montgomery County
- Amount: Part of $97.6 million regional package
- Date: March 4, 2025
- Purpose: Sewer and drainage upgrades
- Details: Growing county benefiting from mitigation funds.
- Town of Woodsboro (Refugio County)
- Amount: $1.245 million
- Date: Within 2022–2025 (specific date not isolated)
- Purpose: Repair roads and clean/regrade ditches
- Details: Hurricane Harvey recovery grant.
- City of Port Neches (Jefferson County)
- Amount: $2.965 million
- Date: Within 2022–2025
- Purpose: Improve water facilities
- Details: Part of Harvey recovery efforts.
Regional and Programmatic Allocations (Multiple Cities/Counties)
- Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC) Region
- Amount: Part of $413 million Local Infrastructure Program (LIP)
- Date: 2022–2025
- Cities/Counties: Houston (Harris County), Baytown, Pasadena, Galveston (Galveston County), League City, Texas City, Friendswood, La Porte, Deer Park, and others in Harris, Galveston, Fort Bend, Montgomery, and Brazoria Counties
- Purpose: Infrastructure repair and resiliency post-Harvey
- Details: Funds distributed via HGAC’s Method of Distribution (MOD).
- Deep East Texas Council of Governments (DETCOG)
- Amount: Part of $413 million LIP
- Date: 2022–2025
- Cities/Counties: Lufkin (Angelina County), Nacogdoches (Nacogdoches County), Jasper (Jasper County), Newton (Newton County), Sabine County, San Augustine County
- Purpose: Disaster recovery infrastructure
- Details: Regional allocation for Harvey-affected areas.
- Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission (SETRPC)
- Amount: Part of $413 million LIP
- Date: 2022–2025
- Cities/Counties: Beaumont, Port Arthur, Orange (Orange County), Jefferson County
- Purpose: Infrastructure and housing recovery
- Details: Significant Harvey recovery funds.
- Coastal Bend Council of Governments (CBCOG)
- Amount: Part of $413 million LIP + $6 million CMP (2023)
- Date: 2022–2025
- Cities/Counties: Corpus Christi (Nueces County), Aransas Pass, Rockport (Aransas County), Port Aransas, Refugio (Refugio County), San Patricio County, Calhoun County
- Purpose: Coastal protection, infrastructure, and Harvey recovery
- Details: Includes $6 million CMP Cycle 28 funds across seven counties (April 2023).
- Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission (GCRPC)
- Amount: Part of $413 million LIP
- Date: 2022–2025
- Cities/Counties: Victoria (Victoria County), Cuero (DeWitt County), Goliad (Goliad County), Port Lavaca (Calhoun County)
- Purpose: Infrastructure and disaster mitigation
- Details: Harvey recovery and resiliency projects.
- Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG)
- Amount: Part of $413 million LIP
- Date: 2022–2025
- Cities/Counties: San Antonio (Bexar County), New Braunfels (Comal County), Seguin (Guadalupe County), Boerne (Kendall County)
- Purpose: Infrastructure and housing recovery
- Details: Supports disaster-affected communities.
- Central Texas Council of Governments (CTCOG)
- Amount: Part of $413 million LIP
- Date: 2022–2025
- Cities/Counties: Killeen (Bell County), Temple, Belton, Gatesville (Coryell County), Copperas Cove
- Purpose: Hazard mitigation and infrastructure
- Details: Coryell County pursued a standalone GLO grant for a hazard mitigation plan.
- South East Texas Regional Planning Commission (SETRPC) – Additional Mitigation
- Amount: $72.913 million (2018 Floods allocation, disbursed 2022–2025)
- Date: 2022–2025
- Cities/Counties: Cameron (Cameron County), Hidalgo (Hidalgo County), Jim Wells County
- Purpose: Recovery from 2018 flooding
- Details: Total allocation with additional HUD funds added in 2019.
Broader GLO Funding Programs Impacting Multiple Areas
- Hurricane Harvey Local Infrastructure Program (LIP):
- Total Amount: $413 million
- Date: Ongoing disbursements 2022–2025
- Recipients: Over 50 cities and counties in 13 COG regions, including Houston, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, Victoria, and rural areas like Refugio and Jasper Counties
- Purpose: Repair and enhance infrastructure damaged by Harvey
- CDBG-MIT Regional Mitigation Program:
- Total Amount: $1.167 billion
- Date: 2022–2025
- Recipients: 80+ cities and counties across Texas, including those listed above (e.g., College Station, Conroe, Kenedy) via COG MODs
- Purpose: Reduce future disaster risks through infrastructure upgrades
- Coastal Management Program (CMP) Grants:
- Total Amount: $10 million (Cycle 27, 2022) + $6 million (Cycle 28, 2023)
- Date: 2022–2023 (additional cycles likely in 2024–2025)
- Recipients: Coastal counties like Nueces, Aransas, Calhoun, Galveston, Jefferson, and cities like Corpus Christi, Rockport, and Galveston
- Purpose: Coastal preservation, beach access, and resiliency projects
- Affordable Rental Program:
- Total Amount: Millions (exact total unspecified)
- Date: 2022–2025
- Recipients: Disaster-impacted cities like Houston, Corpus Christi, Beaumont, and Port Arthur
- Purpose: Rebuild multifamily housing stock
- Buyouts & Acquisitions (Hurricane Harvey):
- Total Amount: $275 million
- Date: 2022–2025
- Recipients: Houston, Harris County, Port Arthur, and other flood-prone areas
- Purpose: Relocate residents from high-risk zones
Notes
- Regional Breakdowns: Many GLO funds are allocated through Councils of Governments (COGs), which distribute to local entities based on local priorities. Exact amounts for each city/county within these packages (e.g., $97.6 million for 2025) are not always itemized publicly but are distributed proportionally.
- Data Limitations: This list captures specific examples and major programs but isn’t exhaustive. Smaller grants or those not highlighted in press releases/X posts may not be included.
- Verification: For a full accounting, visit www.glo.texas.gov under “Grant Implementation” or “Press Releases,” or request detailed records from the GLO directly.
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