Keep Texarkana Beautiful now working with State of Texas to help program grow

TEXARKANA, Texas (KSLA) - Texarkana's Keep Texarkana Beautiful program is now affiliated with the State of Texas. City leaders say the program started in 2010, but became dormant. About two years ago, leaders began working to bring the Keep Texarkana Beautiful program back to life.

"There were many, many steps we had to take in litter surveys and different events we had to put on, so we are really grateful to be part of this program now," said Brooke Stone, a representative of the City of Texarkana, Texas.

Stone says Keep Texas Beautiful is a statewide organization focused on litter prevention, and beautifying neighborhoods, city parks, and other public areas. Brooke says the mission of the local organization is to educate and engage the Texarkana region in taking responsibility for improving the environment. Being part of the state agency will allow the local group to grow.

"Now, we are able to apply for different kinds of grants and that is going to be huge when it comes time to funding projects, and another is we are able to partner with other affiliates within the Keep Texas Beautiful program," Stone explained.

Keep Texarkana Beautiful has set Saturday, Sept. 28 as its first cleanup project since becoming affiliated with the state agency. That cleanup will focus on the Beverly, New Town, and Rose Hill areas.