Economically disadvantaged county program
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Economically disadvantaged county program

Programs

In 1997, the 75th Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 370, better known as TxDOT’s Sunset Bill. Section 2.18 of SB 370 gave the Texas Transportation Commission the ability to adjust the minimum local matching funds requirement.

Administrative rules

Administrative rules pertaining to the program were incorporated into Title 43, Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Sections 15.50-15.56, which describe federal, state and local responsiblities for cost participation in highway improvement projects. Section 15.55(b) specifically addresses the EDCP.

Criteria

An economically disadvantaged county, when compared to other counties in the state, has the following characteristics:

  • Below average per capita taxable property value,
  • Below average per capita income, and
  • Above average unemployment, OR
  • Met the standard criteria within the last six years and has been included in no less than five federally declared disasters within the same time period. 

TxDOT identifies the counties that meet all three of the above criteria derived from data obtained from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts on an annual basis or, a county that has met the three criteria within the past six years or has been included in no less than five federally declared disasters within the same time period obtained by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. These counties are eligible for the program during the fiscal year in which they are determined eligible.  

The amount of relief granted to eligible projects is based on a formula developed to measure a local government’s effort and ability to provide their local match for projects.

Contact us

TxDOT Transportation Planning and Programming Division
Phone: 512-486-5000