T.L.L. Temple Foundation supports economic development goals through water infrastructure
Sept. 5, 2023
Contact: Jackson Parr, Communications and Development Associate, jparr@waterfx.com, (630)-450-4414; Wynn Rosser, president and CEO, T.L.L. Temple Foundation, wynnrosser@tlltemple.foundation, (936)-634-3900
Water Finance Exchange (WFX) will expand its work in East Texas, including community assessments, a technical assistance workshop, and initial engagement with communities seeking water infrastructure solutions. The activities in East Texas are supported by an award from the T.L.L. Temple Foundation (TLLTF), which seeks to support the connection between water infrastructure and economic development in rural communities.
“We are fortunate to gain the support from T.L.L. Temple Foundation to expand on our success throughout Texas,” said Hank Habicht, WFX Co-founder. “Our organizations share a focus and passion for rural and underserved communities.”
WFX will build on it’s successful model deployed elsewhere in Texas and leverage partnerships with organizations including Communities Unlimited (CU) and the Angelina & Neches River Authority (ANRA) to develop sustainable and affordable water infrastructure solutions for rural and underserved communities in East Texas.
That work includes a workshop in late 2023 to bring together communities, state and federal staff representing funding programs, technical assistance providers, and other experts and thought leaders in the water and wastewater infrastructure sector. WFX will also work with the T.L.L. Temple Foundation and other partners to identify communities that are working to advance sustainable infrastructure solutions.
“Rural places cannot thrive without access to safe and reliable drinking water,” said Wynn Rosser, president and CEO of the T.L.L. Temple Foundation. “This partnership with Water Finance Exchange is the next step forward in bringing together the highest capacity partners and targeted resources to ensure rural East Texas communities have the support they need to address regional water system challenges.”
Central to the East Texas expansion is the relationship between water infrastructure and economic development. Water infrastructure solutions must contribute to the health of the population it serves, the watershed, and the economy.
“Rural and underserved communities are consistently left behind in funding programs because they often lack technical and administrative capacity compared to large cities,” said Habicht. “This has implications for sustainable communities and economic growth, as safe and reliable water infrastructure is a basic service necessary for attracting residents, entrepreneurs, private firms and other investment.”
WFX will also produce a strategic framework report for East Texas based on engagement with communities over the next six months. This framework will ensure the initial engagement can be sustained and expanded to other East Texas communities in need.
About WFX
Water Finance Exchange (WFX) is a 501(c)(3) non- profit comprised of experienced water and finance professionals who work closely with communities to address head-on their water infrastructure funding needs and opportunities. Our mission is to help communities build sustainable and resilient utilities that are the foundation of economic growth and prosperity.
About T.L.L. Temple Foundation
The T.L.L. Temple Foundation works alongside rural communities to build a thriving East Texas and to alleviate poverty, creating access and opportunities for all. Since its founding in 1962 by Mrs. Georgie Temple Munz, the T.L.L. Temple Foundation has invested more than $550 million primarily to strengthen communities in rural East Texas. For more information about the foundation, visit www.tlltemple.foundation.