Member Benefits GO TEXAN Rural Community Program member benefits include an array of features, such as: Use of the GO TEXAN brand to indicate participation in the GO TEXAN campaign promoting rural Texas and to take advantage of the program's visibility; Receipt of the GO TEXAN Rural Community Program Infoletter packed with information and news of interest to rural communities; Regular e-mail updates with timely information on workshops, resources and agencies or organizations focused on rural development; Inclusion in the GO TEXAN Rural Community Program database available online to highlight rural Texas communities and their efforts; and Other marketing and promotion benefits designed to spotlight rural Texas, such as the Hometown STARS and Bootstrap Bucks fund reimbursement programs for certified members. These programs are designed to help rural communities leverage the dollars available to promote rural tourism events.

Eligibility Certified Membership Certified Membership is open to non-metropolitan counties or cities located in rural Texas. Counties and cities eligible to apply for the GO TEXAN Rural Community Program must be located in a non-metropolitan area or a city with a population under 20,000. City limits may not adjoin a city or group of cities' city-limit boundaries with an aggregate population of 50,000 or more. (See Metro County Map to determine if your community is located in a non-metropolitan area.)* Associate Membership Associate Membership is open to businesses, chambers of commerce, councils of government, economic development corporations, convention and visitors bureaus, sole proprietors, partnerships, cooperative organizations or corporations. Business applicants' principal place of business must be in Texas, and they must have a business location in rural Texas. Membership is also available to individuals, organizations and associations. All that is required is a commitment to support and promote the many facets of rural Texas to ensure that "Small Town, Texas" gets all the attention it deserves. If you have any questions, call the toll-free hotline at (877) 99GO-TEX or e-mail ruraltexas@tda.state.tx.us.

Texas Metro County Map (Small) Gray counties are located in a non-metropolitan area. (Approx. Size 50k)

Texas Metro County Map (Large) Gray counties are located in a non-metropolitan area. (Approx. Size 200k *Source: 2004 Metropolitan Statistical Areas Map & 2004 Metropolitan Area Map from the Texas State Data Center and Office of Demographer, www.txsdc.utsa.edu/maps/reference.