Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s workplace has introduced greater than $26 million in grant funding for statewide infrastructure initiatives in army communities.
The cash is funded by means of the Texas Navy Preparedness Fee’s (TMPC) Protection Financial Adjustment Help Grant (DEAAG) program. Established in 2003, this system’s intent is to protect, shield, increase and entice new army missions, belongings and installations—together with encouraging defense-related companies to increase or relocate in Texas.
“These funds will assist guarantee Texas army amenities, together with our 15 main army installations, are up-to-date with the most recent know-how to reinforce the security and well-being of Texans and People by rising water entry and gear resiliency,” Abbott mentioned in a press release. “I thank the Texas Navy Preparedness Fee for his or her continued service in supporting our servicemembers in order that we are able to finest put together our state to defend its important infrastructure.”
The Lone Star State is dwelling to one of many largest army populations, totaling greater than 1.7 million veterans and active-duty service members, reserve personnel, and their households.
In line with a listing final up to date March 27, 2026, by Safety.org, the 5 states with the biggest army presence based mostly on complete active-duty personnel are as follows:
- California — 216,096
- Texas — 170,771
- Virginia — 148,637
- North Carolina — 116,195
- Florida — 106,639
When adjusted for inhabitants, California drops to No. 25 and Texas to No. 29 as states like Hawaii, Alaska and North Dakota have a better per-capita common of army members relative to their civilian populations.
Hawaii, for instance, has 39 active-duty and reserve personnel per 1,000 residents. Alaska ranks second at 33.9 per 1,000, whereas the District of Columbia is third at 21.6 per 1,000.
Extra Than $170 Million Awarded
Abbott’s workplace mentioned that grant funds can be invested in infrastructure initiatives and different initiatives to assist Texas-based army installations and to guard jobs doubtlessly impacted by any future Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) course of or different basing choices.
When including this new funding as a part of Fiscal 12 months 2026-27 grants, Abbott has in complete awarded greater than $172 million in grants to army communities by means of the DEAAG program since 2015.
The next entities will obtain FY 2026-2027 DEAAG reimbursements:
- Ark-Tex Council of Governments: $5 million; Purple River Army Depot — Fund mission to fulfill the U.S. Navy Small Unmanned Plane Methods necessities.
- Bell County: $4.5 million; Fort Hood — Improvement of an Aquifer Storage and Restoration system.
- Metropolis of El Paso: $4 million; Fort Bliss — Rising water manufacturing capability of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination Plant.
- Val Verde County: $5 million; Laughlin AFB — Modernization of airfield lighting system to FAA requirements to fulfill present and future U.S. Air Power missions.
- Metropolis of Corpus Christi: $2.074 million; Corpus Christi Naval Air Station — Change getting older home wastewater assortment pipes.
- Metropolis of Corpus Christi: $990,000; Corpus Christi Army Depot — Set up of 4 Atmospheric Water Technology items to complement water utilization in high-demand manufacturing areas.
- Metropolis of San Antonio: $5 million; JBSA- Fort Sam Houston — Renovation partnership with the town of San Antonio, Bexar County, the state of Texas, and the Protection Well being Company of the South Seashore facility.
