FULTON, Texas — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott visited Fulton on Saturday to sign bills related to emergency management, response and recovery, and to attend the Fulton Fishing Pier Groundbreaking.
"This is so inspiring to be here where the storm actually hit and to see the way that it's being rebuilt and to see the spirit and strength and resiliency that the people of Fulton and Rockport have," Abbott says. "This is what Texas is all about."
Other officials present included State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, State Reps. Todd Hunter and Geanie Morrison, Fulton Mayor Jimmy Kendrick, and Chief of Texas Emergency Management, Nim Kidd.
"The two that we did here today talk about catastrophic debris, talked about training for local and appointed officials and talk about funding to be able to help local governments recover faster after a disaster," Nim Kidd says.
The ceremony was held at the construction site of the new Fulton Convention Center Paws and Taws, with the remainder of the old fishing pier in the background.
Fishing rods were used in place of shovels for this groundbreaking ceremony.
The Fulton Fishing Pier was destroyed during Hurricane Harvey almost two years ago. Construction on the new pier will begin Sept. 1 and is expected to be completed early 2020.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF) is managing the $1.9 million project. Most of the funding was secured by the town from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
FEMA funding requires a 10% non-federal matching contribution. YETI, the well known Texas-based manufacturer of outdoor lifestyle products, has pledged $184,000 toward that match.
Additionally, TPWF has raised additional dollars from the Sid W. Richardson Foundation for the new pier.
Gov. Greg Abbott says that he cannot wait to come back for the grand opening of the new facility.
