Member Benefits GO TEXAN Rural Community Program member benefits include an array of features, such as:   Use of the GO TEXAN mark indicating participation in the GO TEXAN campaign promoting rural Texas and taking 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 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. Eligible cities must have a population of less than 20,000 and city limits may not adjoin to another city or group of cities' city-limit boundaries with an aggregate population of 50,000 or more. Effective January 29, 2009, counties located within a U.S. Census Bureau designated Metropolitan Statistical Area with a population of less than 50,000 will be considered non-metropolitan. (See Texas 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@TexasAgriculture.

Texas Metro County Map (pdf)