$26 million in grant funding announced for projects in Texas military communities

AUSTIN, Texas - Governor Greg Abbott recently announced more than $26 million in grant funding for infrastructure projects in Texas military communities.

The backstory:

The funds are through the Texas Military Preparedness Commission’s (TMPC) Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant (DEAAG) program.

The grant funds will be invested in infrastructure projects and other initiatives to support military installations in Texas and protect jobs in military communities that may be impacted by any future Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process or other basing decisions.

What they're saying:

"Texas is home to over 1.7 million veterans and active duty, reserve personnel, and their families," said Governor Abbott. 

"These funds will help ensure Texas military facilities, including our 15 major military installations, are up-to-date with the latest technology to enhance the safety and well-being of Texans and Americans by increasing water access and equipment resiliency," Abbott added.

By the numbers:

Officials say that with this first round of FY 2026-2027 grants, Governor Abbott has awarded over $172 million in grants to military communities through the DEAAG program since 2015.

The following entities will receive FY 2026-2027 DEAAG reimbursements:

• Ark-Tex Council of Governments: $5 million; Red River Army Depot – Fund mission to meet the U.S. Military Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) requirements
• Bell County: $4.5 million; Fort Hood – Development of an Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) system
• City of El Paso: $4 million; Fort Bliss – Increasing water production capacity of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination Plant
• Val Verde County: $5 million; Laughlin AFB – Modernization of airfield lighting system to FAA standards to meet current and future USAF missions
• City of Corpus Christi: $2.074 million; Corpus Christi Naval Air Station – Replace aging domestic wastewater collection pipes
• City of Corpus Christi: $990,000; Corpus Christi Army Depot – Installation of four Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) units to supplement water usage in high-demand production areas
• City of San Antonio: $5 million; JBSA- Fort Sam Houston – Renovation partnership with the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, the State of Texas, and the Defense Health Agency (DHA) of the South Beach facility