State Rep. James White, R-Hillister, and State Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville. announced that Tyler and Newton Counties were to receive grants from the Texas Historical Commission Courthouse Grants Program.
Of Texas’ 254 counties, 70 received grants. Tyler and Newton were the only two in the region to receive the funds.
The Tyler County Courthouse was built in 1891 and remodeled in the 1930s with other work on the structure completed more recently.
Newton County’s courthouse dates back to 2000 after the original building was destroyed by fire. Tyler County will receive $1 million while Newton County will get $1.1 million.
“Newton County is excited about the $1.1 million grant,” Newton County Judge Kenneth Weeks told the Newsboy.
The funds are under the purview of the Historical Society, and projects will need to be approved before grant money can be used to fund it.
The county has several repair and enhancement projects that would benefit from the grant funds, but additional information is needed to know how the county can proceed.
“Newton County is extremely grateful for such a gracious gift,” Weeks said.
Scott Loar is a
freelance writer.