Story, photo by Steve Nash / Special Contributor to BrownwoodNews.com

The City of Early has received a $200,000 state grant from to update to the city’s Comprehensive Plan, which gives a blueprint for projects including infrastructure and land use.

Early City Administrator Tony Aaron announced the grant from Texas General Land Office at Tuesday’s city council meeting.

“The last (Comprehensive Plan) we did was in 2003,” Aaron said. “We’ve been busy the last 23 years working and getting things

“We need to do that (updated) plan, and thank goodness we have received the $200,000 grant because that’s about what I would have been asking (the city) to come out of pocket for.”

As part of the Comprehensive Plan, the city will review projects including water and sewer infrastructure, thoroughfares and streets, drainage systems and land use — major expenses that are expected in the next 10 to 20 years based on projected growth, Aaron said.

“So that comprehensive plan, which is required by law, is like the guiding document for us to look forward into what we’re going to be working to improve and maintain our system,” Aaron said.

“I think that plan was outdated by 2010, probably, because things changed so rapidly.”

The city has been looking at upgrading the Comprehensive Plan for about two years, Aaron said.

“To be able to have that grant come to us and not have to spend local dollars — it’s a big impact for the City of Early, and it give the citizens some comfort in forecasting what’s going to be happening in the city for the next 20 years when it comes to that critical infrastructure.”