The grant was awarded in April to the Texas Infrastructure Fund (TIF) eligible entity, Cross Timbers Community Health Clinic, Inc. (CTCHC).  CTCHC, a non-profit health care facility, was instrumental in winning the $367,000 grant for De Leon and considers it a responsibility they have as part of their services to the community.  The grant funds are provided to create a community-wide information network to disseminate information about the community and provide electronic means for persons to do business within the community.  Additionally, approximately 15 locations will be established with free Internet access for public use.  A training center will established to provide computer educational classes for the public.  The grant does require 10% local match and Comanche County Telephone Co., Inc. will be providing those funds and making certain of its services available to the network at no charge.

TIF monies are collected via an assessment on telecommunications providers.  Comanche County Telephone and its affiliates paid in excess of $174,000 in TIF fees in 2001.  "We are delighted to see some of our assessments come back to the community," said Toney Prather, President of Comanche County Telephone.

Each business, church, and organization in the community will be offered a presence on the world wide web at no cost.  Domain hosting and more complicated web sites will be available at minimal cost.  Community calendars, scheduled events, and school information will be available for your use.  Citizens will be able to access information from the City Library and City of De Leon (council minutes and other public records) without leaving their home.  Businesses will receive training on how to maintain their website themselves or may hire the network or an individual to perform that task as it is needed.

"Cross Timbers is very excited about being involved with this community-wide TIF project" stated Karol Wilhelm, Executive Director of the Center.  "CTCHC will be more able to provide information on health issues and available resources.  Through the help of this grant, the citizens of this community will have more information on healthcare options."

The project is expected to kick off with the public access points established in June.  Businesses and civic groups will soon be contacted concerning the design of their website.