Grants available for cities that gain or lose jobs related to defense

For cities and communities in Texas needing some financial help because of job loss or gain in the military defense industry, the state has some grant money available for either case.

During a regular monthly meeting Tuesday, Chairman Denis Lewis of the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors’ Military Affairs Committee, said cities such as Texarkana still have a chance to to apply for the grant money.

The state started taking applications Monday for the Defense Economic Assistance Grant Fund money. Applications will be accepted through Nov. 20.

Lewis said the grant has two purposes—first, to assist communities that have lost or gained defense-related jobs, and secondly, to support communities seeking to improve the military value of their defense installations.

Lewis added that defense installations such as the Red River Army Depot wouldn’t be able to apply for these grant funds, but the surrounding cities and communities can.

Lewis told board members that the nation’s $612 billion Defense Bill requested by the White House may actually be vetoed.

Robyn Bass, a local aid for U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe of District 4, said the congressman and many of his fellow lawmakers will help fight for the bill’s passage.

In other business, Warren “Buddy” Allen, the chamber’s interim president and CEO, said the chamber’s next Business to Business Breakfast will be next month at Arkansas Convention Center. The gathering will focus on the chamber’s continuing local business retention and expansion program.

Allen added that December’s breakfast, which will be held at the Wyndham Garden Hotel on the Texas side, will feature Scott Norton of TexAmericas Center as guest speaker. Norton will focus on the center’s ongoing development.