Six Brown County non-profits will benefit from Unclaimed Capital Credits.

Brown County Commissioners approved the capital credits in session on Monday, August 31.  According to County Grants Coordinator, Bob Contreras, Commissioners are limited as to how the funds can be spent.

“It can only go to business development such as small or disadvantaged businesses, comprehensive literacy programs, the arts or child advocacy to name a few.

According to Contreras, every year throughout the state of Texas, people fail to collect deposits on their electric utilities.

“When they do that, that money is not kept by the local power company, it must go to the Comptroller’s Office of Texas.  By law, counties can claim their portion of that,” Contreras said.

Last year, the first time Brown County claimed the capital credits, resulted in a check for $20,682.  This year’s check isn’t nearly that much but will still serve to help local agencies.  Brown County will receive a check for $4,058 to be divided into $676.33 donations to each of the following non-profits:

1. Good Samaritan’s Food for Thought Program – They provide food weekly to 150 kids from 13 school campuses in Brown County throughout the year.
2. The Child Advocacy Center – They provide services to children and families of physical or sexual assault and domestic violence.
3. Court Appointed Special Advocates provides best-interest advocacy to children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect.
4. The ARK provides safe shelter and trauma-informed services to some of the most vulnerable children and families in the community who are victims of domestic violence or sexual victimization.
5. Brown County Historical Commission oversees preservation in the county. Earlier this year, Brown County was designated as a Certified Local Government by the National Park Service and Texas Historical Commission.  Brown County is only the 18^th county in Texas to earn this designation.  This money will provide funds to train Brown County Historical Commission members on the CLG committee.
6. The Brown County Museum is the only entity in the county that actively preserves county historical artifacts and provides programming and education for school children, not just static displays.