1. (a) Any non-metropolitan county, or any Texas city with a population of less than 20,000 that does not adjoin another city or group of cities with an aggregate population of 50,000 or more, is eligible for GO TEXAN Rural Community certified membership.

2. (b) An application for certification must include the following:

   1. (1) an overview of applicant's community, including demographics and geography, and to the extent applicable the applicant community's:

      1. (A) major employers;
      2. (B) major highways;
      3. (C) continuing education; and
      4. (D) recreational areas and facilities.

   2. (2) The type of community improvement performed and the applicant's mission and goals as they relate to:

      1. (A) community development;
      2. (B) economic development;
      3. (C) tourism;
      4. (D) cultural or historical heritage preservation; or
      5. (E) strategic planning related to subparagraphs (2)(A) - (D) of this subsection.
   3. (3) Information on an activity, event, festival or project (either recent or planned) that addresses the applicant's strategy to accomplish its mission and goals.
3. (c) The department has the sole authority to determine whether a community is eligible for a GO TEXAN Rural Community certified membership.

Source Note:The provisions of this §29.23 adopted to be effective May 12, 2008, 33 TexReg 3733.