Athens was among 10 Texas communities selected to receive the 2017 Governor’s Community Achievement Award, according to a recent press release by Keep Texas Beautiful.
With the award, Keep Athens Beautiful earned a $160,000 grant.
“Keep Athens Beautiful is so honored and excited to have again won the Governor’s Community Achievement Award this year. This award gives us the opportunity to do a beautification project on a TxDOT right away,” said Keep Athens Beautiful Executive Director Carol Morton.
These awards are a joint effort between the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and Keep Texas Beautiful. Winning communities are awarded for their outstanding overall efforts to keep their communities beautiful.
Keep Athens Beautiful is a non-profit organization with a mission to preserve the natural beauty and environment of Athens.
“We are pleased to once again be the recipient of this grant from TxDOT of $160,000,” said Keep Athens Beautiful Board President Peggy Rhodes. “This grant will enable us to work on a beautification project to continue the enhancement of our community. Thank you to everyone for their hard work that made this possible.”
The awards recognize the most comprehensive grassroots environmental programs in the state, and are awarded in 10 different categories, based on population.
The GCAA program has recognized outstanding communities for more than 30 years. KTB and the Texas Department of Transportation first began working together in the late 1960s, sharing the common goals of making Texas roadways attractive, safe for motorists and encouraging tourism. Since 1985, KTB has partnered through an annual contract with TxDOT to provide grassroots support of their anti-litter and beautification programs, such as Don’t Mess with Texas, Trash-Off and the Governor’s Community Achievement Awards.