Rebuilding Texas: How New Resources Are Connecting Rural Communities
Houston, TX (October 30, 2019) - Connected Nation Texas (CN Texas) is focused on connecting underserved communities across rural areas of the state. Last week, Jennifer Harris, State Program Director for Connected Nation Texas, participated in the Bring Back Main Street “Downtown Revitalization Summit for Rural and Small Towns” event in Houston Texas.
The Bringing Back Main Street initiative offers local communities a place to share best practices and engage in a regional dialogue about revitalizing and supporting vibrant downtown spaces. Each quarter, community leaders gather for a roundtable on topics ranging from small business support to sidewalk infrastructure.
Jennifer participated in a summit called the “Downtown Revitalization Summit for Rural and Small Towns”. At this half-day summit, participants had the
opportunity to listen to expert speakers discuss new ways to revitalize their hometowns and bring residents together.
“My panel focused on resources available to rural communities/downtowns,” said Harris. “I presented alongside the Texas Historical Commission, Texas Target Communities (a program of the College of Architecture at Texas A&M University has provided technical assistance on land use planning and design to small, lower-resourced communities across the state), and the International Economic Development Council.”
Harris made several great connections and is actively working toward identifying a community (or communities) within the Houston-Galveston Area Council for a Connected Community Engagement —which helps develop a community-specific Technology Action Plan.
“I enjoyed meeting everyone while I was in Houston and I am appreciative for the welcoming audience to which I provided my first presentation,” said Harris.
Who is H-GAC?
H-GAC is the regional organization through which local governments consider issues and cooperate in solving area wide problems. Through H-GAC, local governments also initiate efforts in anticipating and preventing problems, saving public funds. The 13-county H-GAC service region is growing, becoming more diverse, and constantly changing. In order to address the needs of citizens and businesses, local governments are providing leadership to guide regional development wisely and manage change constructively.
Learn more about Connected Nation Texas
The Bringing Back Main Street initiative offers local communities a place to share best practices and engage in a regional dialogue about revitalizing and supporting vibrant downtown spaces. Each quarter, community leaders gather for a roundtable on topics ranging from small business support to sidewalk infrastructure.
Jennifer participated in a summit called the “Downtown Revitalization Summit for Rural and Small Towns”. At this half-day summit, participants had the
opportunity to listen to expert speakers discuss new ways to revitalize their hometowns and bring residents together.
“My panel focused on resources available to rural communities/downtowns,” said Harris. “I presented alongside the Texas Historical Commission, Texas Target Communities (a program of the College of Architecture at Texas A&M University has provided technical assistance on land use planning and design to small, lower-resourced communities across the state), and the International Economic Development Council.”
Harris made several great connections and is actively working toward identifying a community (or communities) within the Houston-Galveston Area Council for a Connected Community Engagement —which helps develop a community-specific Technology Action Plan.
“I enjoyed meeting everyone while I was in Houston and I am appreciative for the welcoming audience to which I provided my first presentation,” said Harris.
Who is H-GAC?
H-GAC is the regional organization through which local governments consider issues and cooperate in solving area wide problems. Through H-GAC, local governments also initiate efforts in anticipating and preventing problems, saving public funds. The 13-county H-GAC service region is growing, becoming more diverse, and constantly changing. In order to address the needs of citizens and businesses, local governments are providing leadership to guide regional development wisely and manage change constructively.
Learn more about Connected Nation Texas