Keene EDC wins $250,000 GLO grant to update city comprehensive plan

The Keene Economic Development Corporation Type A Board was told at its meeting that the Texas General Land Office awarded the city $250,000 to support a new comprehensive plan for Keene.

Holly, who presented the update, said the city had applied for $300,000 but “they had lowered the amount without us realizing it, but they did award us 250,000.” She told the board the grant administrator will move forward with the required documents so the city can obtain the funds and begin the planning process.

The award will fund an update to Keene’s master plan covering roughly five- to 10-year guidance for development, zoning and industrial growth, Holly said. She said the city contracted with Public Management Inc. (PMI) to prepare grant applications and that PMI’s cost will come out of the grant award.

Board members were told the process will include multiple town-hall meetings and “a lot of board participation and citizen participation,” Holly said. The planning effort is intended to guide decisions about development, zoning and bringing industrial jobs to city properties.

Holly described the plan as a road map “for the next 10, 20 years on what the citizens and the city and elected officials kinda envision where the city should be going.” The board was told town-hall meetings will be scheduled and that staff will seek broad participation from residents and elected officials.

The board did not take a separate formal vote on adopting the plan at the meeting; the discussion documented next steps and public outreach requirements.

The board’s presentation referenced materials from the Texas Municipal League on Economic Development Corporation funding types and examples from nearby cities that helped shape options for administering the planning work. Staff said they will adjust the existing contract with PMI to reflect the awarded grant amount so the city will not be out of pocket for consultant fees.