GROWING OPPORTUNITIES
New agriculture commissioner urges city of Rusk to pursue retirement community designation BY TERRIE GONZALEZ

From the 11th floor of the Stephen F. Austin Building in Austin, Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples offers economic development suggestions to the city of Rusk.

AUSTIN - Rusk should focus on obtaining the Certified Retirement Community designation that has brought prosperity to other cities including Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Athens and Duncanville, said one state official who is in a position to help make it happen.

From his spacious office on the 11th floor of the Stephen F. Austin building in Austin, new Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples told the Cherokeean Herald that his office stands ready to help the city pursue this designation, which could translate to an influx of retirees seeking the amenities offered in a rural environment.

"Did you know one retired couple has the same economic impact of 3.7 factory jobs," he asked. "They represent a mature market that accounts for 75-80 percent of the nation's savings."

He said the agriculture department also offers several other programs which could prove helpful to the city, including the Texas Capital Fund.

"These funds are awarded for the express purpose of assisting in the creation of new permanent jobs or retention of existing permanent jobs, primarily for low and moderate income persons," he said.

These funds are part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's community Development block Grant Program and is known as the Texas Community Development Program.

Other programs are also available for downtown revitalization and infrastructure initiatives tied to jobs.

Commissioner Staples, who served Cherokee County for 12 years as state representative and later as state senator, said Rusk should take advantage of some of the programs offered through his office. "I'd like to see Rusk put a package together," he said.

The Texas Department of Agriculture's Website offers information on approximately 100 programs, including 16 focused on economic development in rural areas. A May 4 workshop on retirement city designation will be offered to the first 30 who register, and his office will walk applicants through the steps.

The Texas Agriculture Department has come a long way since 1982, when Ag Commissioner Reagan Brown took reporters on a hike to show them the negative impact of fire ants in Texas. To create a photo opportunity, Mr. Brown thrust his hand into a fire ant mound stood up wincing in pain and slapping his arm. The images were splattered over newspaper pages and brought comic attention to the state agency.

Today, the Ag Department hardly resembles the same agency.

No longer is the agency focused strictly on drought programs and regulatory licensing.

"It's all about marketing in a global economy," said Commissioner Staples, who said that the impact of Texas agriculture on the state is $85 billion. That represents 9.5 percent of the gross national product," he said.

Texas represents a powerhouse of production and is the backbone of the economy, he said. And that translates to jobs for rural Texas.

He ticked off the potential for biomass, pharmaceutical crops and biofuels that will be included in the renewable energy plan.

He offered advice to local high school students trying to weigh their options with a college career. "Stephen F. Austin University has some great degree plans that are related to the food supply, which is one of our best bargains in the world."

As he surveyed his view of the State Capitol from his office, Commissioner Staples reflected on the East Texas pineywoods, and the new generation of youth who will succeed him.

"There are grand opportunities in the 'fields' of agriculture," he said. "And the pun is intended."

The Texas Department of Agriculture employs 504 persons statewide and has a $43 million budget.