Governor Abbott Announces $116 Million In FIFA Public Safety Grants
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott today announced over $26 million in grant funding for infrastructure projects in military communities through the Texas Military Preparedness Commission’s (TMPC) Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant (DEAAG) program.
"Texas is home to over 1.7 million veterans and active duty, reserve personnel, and their families," said Governor Abbott. "These funds will help ensure Texas military facilities, including our 15 major military installations, are up-to-date with the latest technology to enhance the safety and well-being of Texans and Americans by increasing water access and equipment resiliency. I thank the Texas Military Preparedness Commission for their continued service in supporting our servicemembers so that we can best prepare our state to defend its critical infrastructure."
The grant funds will be invested in infrastructure projects and other initiatives to support military installations in Texas and protect jobs in military communities that may be impacted by any future Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process or other basing decisions.
With this first round of FY 2026-2027 grants, Governor Abbott has awarded over $172 million in grants to military communities through the DEAAG program since 2015.
The following entities will receive FY 2026-2027 DEAAG reimbursements:
- Ark-Tex Council of Governments: $5 million; Red River Army Depot – Fund mission to meet the U.S. Military Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) requirements
- Bell County: $4.5 million; Fort Hood – Development of an Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) system
- City of El Paso: $4 million; Fort Bliss – Increasing water production capacity of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination Plant
- Val Verde County: $5 million; Laughlin AFB – Modernization of airfield lighting system to FAA standards to meet current and future USAF missions
- City of Corpus Christi: $2.074 million; Corpus Christi Naval Air Station – Replace aging domestic wastewater collection pipes
- City of Corpus Christi: $990,000; Corpus Christi Army Depot – Installation of four Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) units to supplement water usage in high-demand production areas
- City of San Antonio: $5 million; JBSA- Fort Sam Houston – Renovation partnership with the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, the State of Texas, and the Defense Health Agency (DHA) of the South Beach facility
The TMPC in the Office of the Governor advises the Governor and the Texas Legislature on defense and military issues. TMPC’s goal is to preserve, protect, expand, and attract new military missions, assets, and installations in Texas. Additionally, the TMPC encourages defense-related businesses to expand or relocate to Texas. The commission is composed of 13 members serving six-year staggered terms, typically representing an installation in their community.
Governor Abbott Announces $116 Million In FIFA Public Safety Grants
Governor Greg Abbott today announced that the Governor's Public Safety Office (PSO) has awarded $116 million in grants to the City of Houston and the North Central Texas Council of Governments to provide additional safety personnel, equipment, and other public safety items to support security measures associated with FIFA World Cup events.
"The FIFA World Cup coming to Texas gives our state a premier opportunity to showcase all it has to offer," said Governor Abbott. "These public safety grants will help ensure that travelers visiting and traveling throughout Texas can enjoy our great state safely, will bolster Texas' efforts to combat crime, and help prevent potential acts of violence. I thank our partners in the Trump Administration for helping prioritize the safety of our fellow Americans."
The FIFA World Cup Grant Program, established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, provides $625 million in funding to host cities, through gubernatorially-designated State Administrative Agencies (SAAs). The funding will allow recipients to carry out the extensive security activities required to protect players, staff, attendees, venues, and critical infrastructure across the host cities, strengthening them against potential terrorist attacks.
