AUSTIN — Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs announced the Texas Department of Agriculture provided a $150,000 Texas Capital Fund award to the South Texas city of Kenedy in support of economic development and downtown revitalization.

With the help of public infrastructure development and improvement activities, including building new sidewalks, lighting installation and the construction of ADA ramps and handrails, the project will revitalize the downtown area. In addition to 20 new lights, the city will build 11 ADA ramps, handrails and 1,500 linear feet of sidewalks to provide safe, easy access to downtown businesses and properties. This award and project will address the HUD national objective of aiding in the elimination of blight conditions in Kenedy’s designated downtown area.

By Jason Clay Jansky

Construction on Karnes City’s park is coming along well and project managers still are predicting a June 2007 grand opening date.

The restroom facilities have been constructed and about 80 percent of the fishing pond has been carved out of the ground.

The playground and water splash equipment are scheduled for installation in February next year. A fence will go up around the pond at park B some time next April or May, after which time the fishing pond will be filled with water.

The Karnes City Park Board and Karnes City Young Progressives are inviting everyone to dance into the New Year while helping to build Karnes City’s new park.

A dance will be held December 31^st at the Panna Maria Hall from 8 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. Music will be provided by DJ Cruz. Tickets may be purchased from any Young Progressive member, Karnes City Park Board member, at City Hall, Karnes City Chamber of Commerce or Tangles.

The cost is $25 per couple, $15 Single. Six hundred tickets will be pre-sold. All proceeds will be donated to the Karnes City City Park to cover expenses for security lights, fencing and a pavilion.